Minnesota is home to the largest population of Somalis in the United States according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau report, and yet, many non-Somali students may know little more of the culture than what they see in the halls.

Karen Atkinson, coordinator of Children First, a St. Louis Park education group, hopes to change this with an event she helped produce called “Meet Your Somali Neighbors,” which took place Feb. 6 at the Rec Center. Atkinson said she thinks the event helped spread cultural awareness.

“I feel like those of us who were born in the United States need to have a better understanding of our immigrant neighbors,” Atkinson said.

Within Minnesota, Park has a particularly high population of people from Somalia or with a Somali heritage, representing one of the highest ethnic distributions in the school, according to Atkinson.

“The high school has seen an increase in students from African countries, especially Somalia. I was surprised to see that Somalia was the second language spoken at home for St. Louis Park students, after English,” Atkinson said.

Superintendent Robert Metz attended the event because he feels it is important to help others feel included.

“Anything that builds community is important. St. Louis Park has a long history of welcoming and valuing each person as an individual,” he said. “That is the thing I like the most about Park, people are interested and want to know you as you are.”

The event was put together by a variety of organizations including Children First, Adult Options, and an Outreach Coordinator from the Police Department.

“We all wanted to try to connect more with the more diverse community,” Atkinson said.

The group also got in touch with Ahmed Ali, the African/Somali Outreach Liaison for the Hennepin County Library, who provided most of the information during the evening.

Sophomore Salma Mohamed said she knows firsthand the importance of understanding her culture.

“I get offended when they say something wrong, because they usually do. A lot of people think we are loud, obnoxious and crazy,” she said. “I think it is a great idea for people to know our culture, so they stop assuming things and realize what we really are.”

Mayor Jeff Jacobs said he found the night crucial to expanding the tradition of embracing diversity.

“It is a part of our national covenant that when you get here we will help you be an American. Everybody has a history of coming here and I want to hear it,” Jacobs said.

Atkinson hopes to have more events like this in the future, maybe with different subjects.

“We potentially want to do it with other cultures,” Atkinson said.

Atkinson said she hopes the event gave people a chance to connect with each other.

“One of my hopes and dreams is that people will connect,” Atkinson said. “Maybe we will all have Somali tea together.”