About Awood

Awood Center is a worker center that builds the power of East African workers through organizing, education, leadership development, community support, worker assistance, and advocacy to improve working conditions and achieve economic justice.

The Awood Center is a dynamic worker-led organization that creates a culturally and linguistically relevant space to build unity and develop the next generation of leaders in Minnesota’s diverse East African communities.

Awood Center is engaging the community of 100,000 and growing recent immigrants and their families in the Twin-Cities area by educating, organizing, developing leadership and mobilizing to improve the economic and political life of the community and all working people.

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Announcing Awood Center’s New Executive Director: Deqa Essa

We are delighted to welcome Deqa Essa as the new Executive Director of Awood Center! Deqa steps into this role after a distinguished career at Beacon Interfaith, where she served as CFO and Vice President of Administration. With a deep commitment to workers’ rights, Deqa brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership and community advocacy that aligns with our mission.

Reflecting on her new role, Deqa shared, “After a remarkable journey at Beacon Interfaith, where I served as the CFO and Vice President of Administration, I am excited to share that I am embarking on a new chapter in my career. I have accepted the position of Executive Director at Awood Center, an organization committed to empowering and advocating for workers’ rights. I am thrilled to take on this role and continue my dedication to nonprofit leadership and community impact.”

Deqa’s extensive experience and passion for social justice make her a perfect fit for leading Awood Center in our ongoing fight for fair wages, safe working conditions, and respect for workers across the state. Her dedication to making a difference is sure to inspire our team and fuel the continued success of Awood Center.

Please join us in welcoming Deqa Essa as she embarks on this exciting new journey with Awood Center. We look forward to achieving even greater milestones together in advocating for the rights of all workers.