Leader of Somali-Bantu group earns mayor’s award

The executive director of the Somali-Bantu Community Development Council of South Dakota, Abdul Sidow, was presented with the annual Mayor’s Leadership

Award for his work in providing services and programs to the city’s immigrant and refugee population.

In 2004, Abdul and his family left a refugee camp in Kenya and resettled in Massachusetts. Following his high school graduation in Vermont, Abdul came to Sioux Falls to visit relatives. He intended to go back to the East Coast to go to college, but decided to make Sioux Falls his home after realizing that living in Sioux Falls would provide him with an opportunity to assist immigrants and refugees.

Most recently, Abdul established a community garden project, which gave immigrants and refugees an opportunity to provide produce for their families and neighbors and a chance at economic growth.

“Abdul is an incredible person and an effective leader in our community,” Mayor Mike Huether said. “His efforts to assist the Somali-Bantu community in Sioux Falls have brought many different cultures together and made a positive difference in our town.”