About Abdi
Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, to nomadic parents, Abdi Nor Iftin survived civil war, famine, and the constant threat of violence. As a child, he dreamed of America long before he ever imagined he might one day call it home. With no formal English classes available, Abdi taught himself English by watching American action movies, pausing and replaying scenes until he could imitate the actors. His fascination with American culture earned him the nickname "Abdi American"—a name that would eventually inspire the title of his bestselling memoir, Call Me American.
During Somalia's darkest years, Abdi risked his life documenting everyday life under war. Through a series of audio diaries titled Messages from Mogadishu, he shared his experiences with audiences around the world. His reporting was shortlisted for a Peabody Award and later featured by NPR, the BBC, and This American Life, introducing millions of listeners to a deeply personal account of survival, hope, and resilience.
After surviving a bombing outside his family home, Abdi fled Somalia and spent years as a refugee in neighboring Kenya. In 2014, against extraordinary odds, he was selected through the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery and arrived in America with little more than hope and determination. His remarkable journey—from refugee to American citizen—is chronicled in Call Me American, published by Random House and praised as one of the most inspiring immigration memoirs of its generation.
Today, Abdi is an internationally recognized author, keynote speaker, storyteller, and advocate whose work bridges cultures and inspires audiences across the United States and beyond. In 2026, he delivered a TEDx talk exploring the power of storytelling, freedom of expression, and the resilience of the human spirit. He was also featured nationally on CNN alongside Craig Ferguson in the premiere episode of America on Purpose, celebrating America's 250th anniversary and the extraordinary journeys of immigrants who have shaped the nation.
Abdi's story and commentary have been featured by CNN, NPR, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, BBC, and many other national and international media outlets. He has spoken at universities, Fortune 500 companies, libraries, nonprofits, faith communities, and civic organizations, delivering unforgettable presentations on resilience, belonging, leadership, immigration, identity, and the American dream.
A graduate of Boston College with a degree in Political Science, Abdi lives in Maine, where he continues to write, speak, and mentor aspiring storytellers. He is currently working on his next book and developing film and documentary projects based on his life and work.
Whether speaking to a classroom of students or an audience of thousands, Abdi's message remains the same: our stories have the power to build bridges, challenge assumptions, and remind us of our shared humanity.
Invite Abdi to Speak
Abdi's presentations are powerful, heartfelt, and unforgettable. Blending humor, suspense, and deeply personal storytelling, he leaves audiences inspired long after the event ends. His keynote topics include:
The Power of Storytelling
The Refugee Journey & the American Dream
Immigration, Identity & Belonging
Courage, Resilience & Leadership
Building Bridges Across Cultures
Freedom of Speech and Democracy
Hope in the Face of Adversity
Available for keynote speeches, universities, conferences, corporate events, libraries, schools, nonprofits, and community organizations worldwide.
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