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Minnesota Now with Nina Moini
Nina Moini and Alanna Elder

New book traces life from a Somali orchard to running a nonprofit in Minnesota

Book cover with portrait of author
Fatoun Ali is the founder of the Somali Youth and Family Development Center and the author of the new book, "My Dear Loving Sisters: Tea and Stories from an Audacious Life."
Courtesy of Fatoun Ali

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A Minnesota author has put out a new book about her life with pieces from her grandparents’ orchard in Somalia, her teen years in a refugee camp and her adulthood in the U.S. and Minnesota.

In “My Dear Loving Sisters: Tea and Stories from an Audacious Life,” Fatoun Ali lays out how she survived poverty and abuse to raise four children and start a nonprofit. Ali created the piece in a workbook format, with strategies and questions for overcoming all kinds of challenges.

Her nonprofit, Somali Youth and Family Development Center, turns 15 this year and has a gala on Wednesday to celebrate. Fatoun Ali joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini in the MPR News studio for a conversation about her work and life.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here.