Thank You, Minnesota.
The Global Somali Awards 2026 has concluded. On June 6, 2026, we gathered at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront for a historic evening celebrating Somali excellence, leadership, and resilience. Thank you to every honoree, guest, sponsor, and community member who made this night possible.
GS Awards 2026 — Minnesota Edition
This year, we come to the community.
Minnesota is not just a location. It is a statement. Home to the largest Somali population in the United States, this community has built businesses, raised families, and entered public office — all while navigating pressures that have tested its resolve. The GS Awards 2026 comes to Minnesota deliberately. When a community is under pressure, it deserves to be celebrated, not forgotten
Award Ceremony
Join us for the Global Somali Awards 2026 Gala Ceremony, where Somali achievement is celebrated on an international stage. The evening will bring together leaders, professionals, creatives, and community figures from across the globe — honoring the most inspiring stories and contributions within the Somali world.
GS Awards 2026 — Minnesota Edition
June 6, 2026 | InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront | Saint Paul, Minnesota
The third annual Global Somali Awards ceremony brought together 400 guests from across five continents for an evening honoring 16 award categories, a Lifetime Achievement honor, the Global Somali Person of the Year, and special Recognition Certificates presented to the leadership of Minnesota.
Award categories
Technology & Innovation Award
Entrepreneurship Award
Executive of the Year Award
Sportsperson of the Year
Most Influential Author Award
Young Person of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award
Financial Institution Excellence Award
WHAT WE OFFER
More than an awards night.
Subheadline: The GS Awards is a platform, a record, and a community — built to last well beyond a single evening.
1. International Recognition
We honor Somali individuals and organizations whose work has made a measurable difference — across business, public service, arts, sports, journalism, and beyond. Our jury process is independent, rigorous, and global.
2. A Permanent Record of Excellence
Every honoree becomes part of the GS Awards permanent record. Their story is documented, published, and preserved — so that the history of Somali achievement is written by the community itself.
3. A Global Stage
Our platform has welcomed Heads of State, Ambassadors, Members of Parliament, and senior officials from Somalia and the United States. When you are honored by GS Awards, you stand on a stage that the world's most consequential Somali figures have already stood on.
4. Community Connection
The GS Awards brings together Somalis from across five continents — entrepreneurs, creatives, academics, athletes, and community leaders — in one room. The relationships built at this event outlast the evening.
5. Media & Publishing Power
Every honoree is featured across GS Magazine, our social media platforms, and our growing digital network. Your story reaches a global Somali audience that is engaged, proud, and paying attention.
6. A Voice for the Diaspora
The GS Awards exists because the Somali diaspora deserves a platform that reflects the full scope of what it has built. We are that platform — and every edition is a statement that this community defines its own narrative.
