Our Team
Educators, advocates, and community builders devoted to raising the next generation of East African leaders.
Jelani Jillo
Jelani Jillo brings over a decade of dedicated service in education, currently serving as Administrator Dean of Students for the Spring Lake Park School District, combining extensive classroom and administrative experience with a deep commitment to mental health advocacy and community engagement.
Educational Leadership & Administration
Jelani holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is pursuing a second Master’s while working toward his principal licensure. As Dean of Students, he plays a pivotal role in shaping school culture, supporting student development, and implementing policies that promote academic achievement and personal growth.
Mental Health Advocacy
He served for five years as a Mental Health Advocate within one of Minnesota’s largest hospital chains — experience that equipped him to support students, families, and staff in addressing the holistic needs of the school community.
Community & Cultural Engagement
For over ten years he has served the Oromo Sports Federation in North America, currently as Executive Board Member and Engagement Coordinator, championing cultural preservation, community building, and youth development.
His work reflects a deep understanding that student success requires addressing academic, emotional, and cultural needs within supportive, inclusive environments.
Bonni Abdurahman
Bonni Abdurahman is a distinguished professional whose multidisciplinary expertise spans psychology, business leadership, education, and diversity advocacy, dedicating her career to creating inclusive environments and breaking down barriers for underserved communities.
Academic Excellence
Bonni holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology and an MBA in Leadership Management. She is completing a second Master’s in Clinical Psychology while pursuing a third in Educational Leadership — a journey that reflects her commitment to lifelong learning across the disciplines that intersect in her work.
Educational Impact & Student Advocacy
For over five years she has worked within educational systems as a Student Achievement Advisor and Equity Specialist, championing student success and developing innovative approaches to support learners from diverse backgrounds.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leadership
For the past three years she has served as an Equity Specialist and Interim Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Department of Human Services, leading strategic initiatives, equity frameworks, and inclusive policy across large-scale operations.
Media & Community Engagement
As host of “Difficult Conversations Over Coffee,” she has built a platform that addresses mental health and cultural taboos within immigrant communities, challenging stigma and providing culturally sensitive resources.
Bonni represents a new generation of leaders who combine academic rigor with practical experience and cultural wisdom to advance equity and inclusion across multiple sectors.
Abas Regassa
Abas Regassa is Assistant Director at Bultum Academy, a public charter school in Columbia Heights, Minnesota that pioneers Oromo-language instruction and serves a vibrant multilingual community.
He leads operational strategy and forges the community partnerships that strengthen learning and belonging for students and families. A former Director of Operations at Bultum, Abas is an Oromo speaker and an advocate for multilingual, culturally responsive, student-centered education — work that aligns with the school’s PK–8 mission to build strong family engagement, equitable access, and academic excellence.
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