2021 Accomplishments and 2022 Goals

Thanks to all our members and supporters for making 2021 a great year for SLPA!

Look forward to accomplishing these goals together! Let's make our vision a reality! 

2021 SLPA Officially launched the Mentorship Program geared towards our college students in the US.

Currently have 40 SLPA members involved in the mentorship program!

"At SLPA our goal is to help move the next geneartion forward. If you're an industry professional pay it forward by being a mentor within our network. If you're a student or early-career professional come seek guidance from our fellow members by becoming a mentee. Reach one, teach one, for the betterment of our communities."

This was one of our many success stories, thanks to SLPA member Ahmed Hassan from Michigan! Let's all pay it forward.

We have ran the program over the past 6 months with a select few members upon request and seen the potential it had for our members. We have seen many mentees benefit by increased academic performance, class schedule planning, career planning, internship opportunities with Fortune 500 companies, and leads to Full-Time roles. Many of us are first-generation college students/graduates or even here as international students without much guidance in the country. At SLPA we were able to build a strong network of over 400 professionals across geographical locations, educational backgrounds, and diverse industries. By connecting the two sides of our membership base we believe this program could yield long term results for the socio-economic dynamic within our communities here in the US for generations to come. Let's all pay it forward by signing up as Mentors for our younger generation or utilize the resources and guidance of our professional network as Mentees.

We would like to thank all those who were early mentors, mentees, and supporters of this program.

Benefits of Being a Mentor:

• Giving back to our younger generation within the Somaliland-American Community
• Developing Feedback and Critical Thinking Skills
•  Advancing Leadership Capabilities and Learning New Communication Methods

Benefits of Being a Mentee:

• Guidance from Somaliland-American Professionals in your Field
• Better Academic and Career Performance
• Leads to Internships and Full-Time Opportunities
  

Sign up today via our programs tab!

• Annual Ramadan Fundraiser
• Expand Coffee meet ups and discussion across the US.
• Host an SLPA conference in the US. 
• Host art, culture and history event.
• Summer Internship/Volunteer programs for our members visiting Somaliland Summer 2021.
• Growing our mentorship program to target more undergraduate students in our database. 
• Spearheading advocacy efforts amongst our membership in their respective states and regions to help Somaliland reach its right to self-determination. 
• Continuing to partner up with Somaliland Organizations across the world that are doing great work in their communities. We strive to be a model and leader for Somaliland communities worldwide.
• Create sub-committees based on industry and sector amongst our vast membership spread across the country. This will help foster breakthrough ideas amongst like-minded individuals.

•  Co-Fundraised $100K for COVID-19 relief efforts in Somaliland alongside Somaliland-American Health Association (SAHA) and Amoud Foundation. 
• Hosted the official May 18th US event via Instagram live joined by the ambassador Bashir Goth and subject matter experts in Public Health to discuss COVID-19 awareness. 
• Hosted the official June 26th US event alongside Ambassador Bashir Goth via Zoom. Theme: Somaliland-Americans role in the development of Somaliland. Joined by many SLPA members and subject matter experts.
• Kickstarted our Mentorship Program across the country connecting our Undergraduate Students to Early-Mid career professionals in the same field. 
• Officially became 501c3 non profit status to accept donations and apply for grants. 
• Grew our membership to reach 31 states, now covering every region of the US.
•  Kickstarted our Quarterly Analytical Op-Eds discussing some of Somaliland's most pressing issues and providing their solutions. These Op-Eds are written by members who are Subject Matter Experts in their respective fields. The goal is to reach the right stakeholders in Somaliland to cultivate change driven by our professional recommendations.