ST PAUL, Minn. — From scrappy startup to the real deal, the Sahan Journal remains a critical news outlet in Minnesota, emanating a voice different from any other outlet in the state's media game.
But as it continues to succeed, it will now also look for a successor.
After announcing he'd leave his post as the publication's CEO, Mukhtar Ibrahim sat down with KARE 11's Sharon Yoo to explain his decision to step aside.
Talk to me about when you first started Sahan, the emotions.
Ibrahim: I had no experience in business or fundraising or doing projects or managing people, but when you're so passionate about doing something, you're not scared. You just dive in and see where it puts you, and I really dove in and it was all-consuming.
Why are you stepping down?
The organization is very strong; we have good funding. We have, as I mentioned, a healthy organizational culture and want to provide that space for people who don't usually get that opportunity to lead.
It's something that I'm really excited to do and step aside. The second part, is I am a father of four young children. I don't want to lose that window before they, you know, grow up.
What kind of gap were you trying to fill with the creation of the Sahan Journal?
We often cover stories of immigrants and communities without a breadth of humanity. We tend to focus on the slice. A reporter needs to establish deep connections and trust in communities that we cover.
Reporters in mainstream newsrooms need to rethink and reimagine how they cover people, and especially our white peers need to step out of their comfort zone and be in the communities and establish any connections that any reporter should be doing.
Where are you going?
I'm not in a rush. I want to see how this search unfolds and transition and making sure everything is running smoothly is a big priority for me, so after that happens and we bring in and on-board a new leader, we'll see what's next for me.
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