Kadra Abdi is a Minneapolis-based community activist dedicated to advancing racial equity in Minnesota and building a more inclusive world. She serves as the Director of Local Policy and Field Building at the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD), where she leads local policy and advocacy initiatives to advance racial and economic justice. Kadra also manages the Emerging Leaders in Community Development (ELCD) program, which equips emerging professionals with learning, networking, and professional development opportunities. 

She holds a Master of Public Policy degree with an emphasis on Human Rights from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Women and Gender Studies from Luther College. 

As a catalyst for change, Kadra founded UBUNTU, a platform spotlighting emerging issues affecting the global Black diaspora, and SYNERGY, a consulting practice dedicated to helping BIPOC-led ventures thrive. 

Kadra also advances equity through her board service with the Center for Victims of Torture (CVT), the Alliance for Metropolitan Stability, and the Twin Cities Media Alliance. In these roles, she supports efforts toward a torture-free world, promotes regional equity, and uplifts the use of art to shape narratives and foster justice. 

Outside of her work, Kadra enjoys hiking, cooking, and listening to Beyoncé, a recipe she calls her grounding practice.