Raised in a nomadic upbringing, Ahmed Ismail Yusuf is the author of three books: Gorgorkii Yimi, a collection of short stories in Somali; The Lion’s Binding Oath, a collection of short stories in English; Somalis in Minnesota, in English; and one (Maana-faay) translated from Somali into English. Raad Raac in Somali and The Lion’s Gazing Guide in English will be released in 2026. His short stories appeared in Bildhaan: An International Journal of Somali Studies, Mizna: An Arab-American literary magazine, and in anthologies such as Home: An Anthology and Under Purple Skies: Minneapolis Anthology. His play, A Crack in the Sky was produced at the History Theater in Saint Paul, and others were performed at Pangea (TALES OF TIME), New Arab American Theater (CONSCIENCE CAFÉ), as well as Mixed Blood Theater (DANCE WITH ME). His mental health publications appeared in the Journal of Muslim Mental Health, Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and Psychiatry Times. He holds a BS in creative writing and psychology from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and an MPA (Master of Public Affairs) from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
