If Donald Trump has his way Yassin Omar would be officially branded a suspected terrorist; forced to register in a federal database.
In reality, Omar is in a government database of sorts. Omar is working for the Minnesota governor’s office as the executive assistant to Kimberly Holmes, general counsel to Gov. Mark Dayton and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith. Along the way he is broadening people’s perspectives and erasing negative preconceptions about Muslims and Somali-Americans – especially young Somali men.
“Muslims, African-Americans, Native-Americans, Hispanics; Asians … all of us understand the subcultural bias that exists in parts of America. This has always been happening, but now it has a larger platform because of Trump,” said Omar. “But it just makes me work harder to prove that I belong (at the table of government and policy). As they say, if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. I’m here to stay. I’m not going anywhere.”
Born in Somalia, Omar, first came to America as a young child and lived in Portland, Maine before moving to Hopkins and graduating from Hopkins High School. With a degree in finance from Hamline University, Omar’s path to working in government was like much of his life before – nontraditional.
“In college my interest was in business and finance, but I always had an interest in how money and government intersected,” said Omar.
Upon graduation, Omar began working at the Apple Store in Uptown helping small businesses incorporate Apple products and services into their businesses. It was a good job but he knew that wasn’t his “life’s calling.” Always big on networking, Omar made contacts within the Dayton administration and in 2013 he joined the governor’s office as a constituent outreach liaison. In that role, he assisted constituents who contacted the office, led the high school pages program, coordinated proclamations for the state and ran logistics for the governor and lieutenant governor during public events and speaking engagements. It was in his role as a logistics coordinator that Holmes recognized Omar’s talents and tapped him to work in her office as her executive assistant.
Since joining Holmes’ staff Omar said his future is a bit in flux – but in a good way.
“Before I started working with Kim I was focused on going back to school and getting my MBA, but working with Kim has opened up my curiosity in law and now the big decision is to go to law school or business school,” said Omar.
The 25-year-old said if he does choose law school he will focus in an area of practice that is, well … nontraditional.
“I’ve become passionate about environmental justice, so I would make that my area of practice,” said Omar. “A lot of people of color don’t think much about environmental justice, but the people of Flint (Mi.) saw firsthand the impact environmental issues have on all people, including people of color.”
