WILLMAR — Amran Abukar, of Willmar, was given the Entrepreneurship Award as part of the 2020 Outstanding Refugee Awards from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, according to a news release from the department.
Abukar works as a cultural liaison at Kennedy Elementary School in Willmar and as an author.
The Entrepreneurship Award goes to individuals who contribute to their communities in business, the arts or education.
The fourth annual Outstanding Refugee Awards from the Minnesota Department of Human Services recognize refugees for civic engagement, entrepreneurship, young leadership and significant efforts during their first two years in the state.
“People who come to the United States as refugees endure great hardship in order to realize their hopes for a better life for themselves and their families,” said Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead in a news release. “I’m so pleased to acknowledge the achievements of these individuals who have done so much to unify Minnesota and make our state a better place to live.”
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In 2019, Minnesota welcomed 891 refugees from 13 countries, about half of them children and youth. The largest number of refugees were from Burma, followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine.
