What I learned from working with Tim Walz

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Let me take you back to 2016, a year that provided me with an unexpected gift — the gift of meeting Tim Walz.

It began with a simple introduction by R.T. Rybak, the CEO of the Minneapolis Foundation and former mayor of Minneapolis. R.T. had a hunch that our paths would intersect with purpose, and indeed they did. You might wonder what a governor of a state like Minnesota would have in common with a Somali, Black and Muslim immigrant like me. The answer lies in our shared belief in the power of ideas, dialogue and transformation. It was our shared conviction that leadership is not confined only to lofty boardrooms or grandiose speeches, but also thrives in the trenches of community, nonprofits, classrooms and scrappy startups. We shared a belief that a transformational leadership encompasses empathy, inclusivity and purpose-driven action. Walz’s life and work embody these principles.

During his speech on Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention, Walz described the leadership style of Harris this way: “with energy, with passion and with joy.” Walz knows about the politics of joy, too. When I was most discouraged about American politics, he nurtured my joy for American democracy. As a mentor and friend, he has shown me that joy is purpose-driven, empathic and innovative leadership. While some politicians attacked me — because of my faith and ethnic background — Walz made me and others feel welcome.

As a father of four young children, I was motivated to get involved in local and presidential campaigns to protect my family from Donald Trump and politicians like him. These sad people insult and threaten fellow Americans based on religion, race and immigration status. When he was president, Trump regularly disrespected families like mine through travel bans and verbal attacks. Meanwhile, Walz invited me with his joyful smile to be part of his One Minnesota campaign. We shared a purpose that includes everyone.

Walz finds innovative ways to get work done. After he became governor, I joined his administration as deputy commissioner for workforce at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, serving as the highest African official in the executive branch of Minnesota state government. We were soon tested by the COVID-19 pandemic. I quickly saw the governor’s creative solutions in action. With unemployment on the rise, Walz prioritized economic assistance for families to meet their basic needs. By the end of 2021, my agency processed more than 1.2 million applications for financial assistance. And Walz found a bipartisan way to make a bigger difference for workers. Bringing Republicans and Democrats together, we made the state’s largest investment in workforce needs with millions of dollars in loan programs for small businesses and free training opportunities for workers.

Walz is genuine in how he cares for people. I saw his empathy in action after the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer. As a result of Walz’s leadership in rightfully appointing the Minnesota attorney general and his legal team to lead the case, the responsible officers were charged and fair trials convicted them. As a video of the murder was shared, demonstrations spread to cities across the United States and eventually around the globe. The moment became a rallying cry to address the deep-rooted racism and systemic injustices that permeate society. Walz was eager to hear people’s concerns and so I connected him to young people and activists.

His empathy included those impacted by protests. While demonstrations were predominantly peaceful, significant rioting and destruction also occurred. I visited business owners. I listened as I cleaned debris and broken glass. I shared with Walz how a sense of security in the neighborhood was shattered. He and I worked with local organizations, community leaders and volunteers to provide financial assistance, resources and guidance to help those businesses get back on their feet.

The COVID-19 pandemic, the murder of George Floyd and the civil unrest were times of despair and struggle, but they were also critical moments for our democracy to hear the voice of the people and to respond. Always the social studies teacher, Walz finds joy when democracy works, when people raise their voices for justice and fairness. With Walz’s encouragement, I was appointed by the Biden-Harris administration as senior adviser in the U.S. State Department to advance the president’s democracy agenda at home and abroad. For the past two years, I tried to bring the purpose-driven, empathetic and innovative joy of Walz to Washington, D.C., to promote and project democracy. In the next three months, I am dedicated to electing Tim Walz as vice president and Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States so they can bring joy to our nation’s capital.