Maangaar Voices, 1701 American Boulevard E Suite 16, Bloomington, MN (2025)

11/14/2025

We’re celebrating our disability mamas with joy, culture, music, and community! 💃✨
Join us on Nov 26 for Buraanbur Night — a space created with love, dignity, and pure vibes.

11/12/2025

Jump With Joy: Buraanbur Night! ✨🌙

We didn’t think we’d host a second celebration night this year — but by popular demand, Maangaar Voices is thrilled to invite you to another unforgettable evening honoring women in the disability community and their allies! 💙💛

Join us on Wednesday, November 26th at the beautiful Leonura Event Center in Burnsville for a night of laughter, connection, and celebration. This event comes right on the heels of our one-year anniversary of Wellness Wednesdays — our support space that has brought women together in joy, reflection, and sisterhood.

This night will feature:
🎤 Buraanbur by Abwaanad Sagal
🎧 Music by DJ Fawzi
🍴 Evening bites & Community Joy

Special thanks to .abyanbashir for co-facilitating our Wellness Wednesdays and to for graciously hosting us in her beautiful venue.

This is a night to get dressed in your cutest dirac, dance, laugh, and celebrate women supporting women! 💃🏽

📍 Leonura Event Center — 550 Burnsville Pkwy, Burnsville, MN
🕗 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM
💫 Free Entry!

10/30/2025

Join us TONIGHT for a powerful community conversation: “Autism in the News” 🗞️
Hear from medical professionals about Tylenol, Leucovorin, and what you need to know — with Somali interpretation available. 💬
🗓️ Oct 30 | 6–8 PM | Online
🔗 Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/w/85303383951?_x_zm_rtaid=HlffUyTjQEGaiZGboxDMTw.1761838599907.8409e1e1555260752eccd4b94ad024c0&_x_zm_rhtaid=421

10/20/2025

We are truly honored to receive Advocacy of the Year Award at this year’s Samafal Gala hosted by Minnesota Somali Community Center and grateful to have members of our Advisory Board - Abdikareem Hurreh, Dr. Hussein Awjama and Duraan Ali, accept it on behalf of Maangaar Voices, while our all-women board took a well-deserved weekend to rest and recharge—whether at the Osprey Wildlife Center, in Duluth, or at home with family. Sustainability is at the heart of our work, as is community. Though our work is tireless and unpaid, it is driven by love, purpose, and service—and it means so much for it to be seen and valued by the very community we serve. We also congratulate our shero and favorite collaborator, Dr. Abyan Bashir, on being named Provider of the Year—a well-deserved recognition for her incredible work in the mental health and disability space at Let’s Talk Healing & Bridge & Bloom.

This award is dedicated to every Maangaar family worldwide. Thank you, Minnesota Somali Community Center, for this incredible honor.

09/30/2025

♾️ Nonverbal / Nonspeaking Awareness Day ♾️

Date: September 30

Nonverbal / Nonspeaking Awareness Day is an observance recognized in the United Kingdom that shines a light on the experiences of people who do not primarily use spoken language to communicate. The day emphasizes the dignity, rights, and inclusion of nonspeaking and nonverbal individuals, reminding us that communication is far broader than speech alone.

At Maangaar Voices, we believe this awareness is urgently needed here in the United States as well. Large sections of our population—particularly autistic individuals and others who rely on alternative communication—are nonspeaking or nonverbal. Too often, their voices are overlooked or misunderstood simply because they do not communicate in conventional ways. By learning, listening, and adapting, we can build communities that respect and uplift all forms of communication.

💡 5 Ways You Can Support Nonverbal / Nonspeaking Awareness

1. Listen & Learn – Take time to understand nonverbal and nonspeaking experiences, and explore diverse communication methods like AAC, sign language, or picture systems.

2. Amplify Voices – Share and uplift the stories, art, and advocacy of nonspeaking individuals rather than speaking for them.

3. Adapt Communication – Slow down, give more response time, and create sensory-friendly, accessible environments.

4. Challenge Misconceptions – Push back against the idea that being nonspeaking means being incapable—advocate for respect and inclusion.

5. Donate – Support organizations like Maangaar Voices that are working to build awareness, advocacy, and resources for nonspeaking communities: https://maangaarvoices.org/home/donate/

09/23/2025

Community Listening & Healing Session

Our community is grieving, heartbroken, and full of unanswered questions after the tragic death of 7-year-old Abdinasir following an incident at Westwood Elementary.

Community organizations have come together to create a safe space where families, advocates, and neighbors can listen, share, and process what happened. This gathering is about honoring Abdinasir’s life, supporting his family, and standing with one another as we call for answers, transparency, and accountability.

🕊️ This is a space for healing, solidarity, and collective strength.

All are welcome.

Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/X0thUt-6RPKT8g1KJMtOAg

09/22/2025

Saint Cloud Family Demands Answers After 7-Year-Old Autistic Child Dies Following Mysterious Incident at School

Saint Cloud, Minnesota — A grieving community in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, is demanding answers after 7-year-old boy described as a happy, healthy, nonverbal Black child with autism was placed on life support following an unexplained incident at school. The child later died.

The incident occurred at Westwood Elementary School, where the child attended. According to the family, the boy was dropped off at school the morning of the incident in good health. During early afternoon, they were visited by police at home, then they were told their son is unresponsive and on life support.

Days later, he passed away

What happened to the 7 years old boy remains a mystery. And to date, the school district has not released any detailed statement about the incident, not to the public, and not to the family. “Our son left home smiling. Now we’re planning his funeral. We just want to know what happened,” said the boy’s uncle in a statement shared with community members in a solidarity event held on Sunday afternoon.

09/22/2025

Saint Cloud Family Demands Answers After 7-Year-Old Autistic Child Dies Following Mysterious Incident at School

Saint Cloud, Minnesota — A grieving community in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, is demanding answers after 7-year-old boy described as a happy, healthy, nonverbal Black child with autism was placed on life support following an unexplained incident at school. The child later died.

The incident occurred at Westwood Elementary School, where the child attended. According to the family, the boy was dropped off at school the morning of the incident in good health. During early afternoon, they were visited by police at home, then they were told their son is unresponsive and on life support.

Days later, he passed away

What happened to the 7 years old boy remains a mystery. And to date, the school district has not released any detailed statement about the incident, not to the public, and not to the family. “Our son left home smiling. Now we’re planning his funeral. We just want to know what happened,” said the boy’s uncle in a statement shared with community members in a solidarity event held on Sunday afternoon.

The lack of transparency has fueled outrage and heartbreak in the Saint Cloud community and beyond. Advocates for disability rights and racial justice have begun calling for a full investigation, raising concerns about the safety and treatment of vulnerable children in public school, especially children of color with disabilities.

Silence from the District

As of today, the St. Cloud Area School District (ISD 742) has not provided a timeline of events, nor confirmed the circumstances leading to the medical emergency, but many parents and community members say the silence is unacceptable.

Unanswered Questions

Among the most pressing questions:

- What occurred between the time the child was dropped off and when emergency services were called?

- Were staff trained to meet the needs of nonverbal and autistic students?

- Was there surveillance footage?

- Was this reported to law enforcement or state child protection agencies?

- Currently, there is no public indication of an open criminal investigation.

A Call for Action and Answers:

“How does a 7-year-old autistic child end up dead after just two hours at school and no one is talking about it?”

The case touches on multiple systemic issues: disability rights, racial equity, transparency in public education, and the accountability of institutions tasked with protecting children.
As the community mourns, advocates warn that silence is not only harmful, it’s dangerous.

“If this can happen in silence, it can happen again,” said a mother and community activist. “We need answers. We need accountability. And we need it now.”

Editor’s Note: This story will be updated as more information becomes available. If you have tips or information related to this incident, please contact

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