By By Taiwo AKINLAMI
Community leaders from across Columbus’ diverse immigrant and refugee communities gathered Monday, July 13, 2026, evening at Jigjiga Mall for a fundraising reception in support of Columbus City Council President Shannon G. Hardin, with many speakers describing him as a longstanding ally of new Americans.
The event, held at Jigjiga Mall, 2300 E. Dublin Granville Road, brought together members of African, Muslim, Somali and other immigrant communities alongside civic leaders and supporters. The fundraiser was hosted by a committee led by Kawther Musa, with Emmanuel Olawale, Mohamed Farah, Khalid Turaani, Irina Perry, Tayo Oresotu, and Hassan Shide serving on the host committee. Throughout the evening, speaker after speaker returned to a common theme: their belief that Hardin has consistently demonstrated support for immigrant and refugee communities in Columbus through both public engagement and policy leadership.
The fundraiser was part of efforts to support Hardin’s future political ambitions. During his remarks, Hardin indicated that he is seriously considering seeking the office of Mayor of Columbus. Community leaders cite years of engagement Opening remarks by host committee members focused less on politics and more on their experiences working with the City Council President’s office. Kawther Musa recounted several examples of what she described as Hardin’s accessibility to immigrant communities.
She narrated how she was able to obtain official participation from the City Council President’s office for community cultural celebrations after reaching out directly, describing the office as responsive and willing to engage with communities that often feel overlooked. She also highlighted City Hall’s participation in various African cultural events and encouraged community organizations to build stronger relationships with the City Council. According to Musa, these interactions convinced many community leaders that Columbus’ immigrant communities had found an ally within city government.
One of the most frequently referenced examples during the evening concerned the City Council’s response following public attacks directed at Haitian and Somali immigrant communities. Several speakers credited Hardin with convening elected officials and community leaders after those remarks, saying the effort reassured many immigrants that city leadership stood with them. Musa recalled contacting Hardin’s office during that period and said the response was immediate. According to her account, the City Council President brought together local elected officials to publicly affirm support for affected communities and oppose discrimination. She also praised the Council’s stance on immigration-related issues affecting Columbus residents, arguing that the city’s leadership had helped reassure immigrant families during a period of uncertainty.
“There is no single African city council member right now,” she observed, adding that many African immigrants nevertheless live within Columbus city limits and therefore rely on city leadership to represent their interests.
Hardin acknowledged the speakers who had shared their experiences and reflected on the role of public leadership during moments of tension. Referring to the response following attacks on immigrant communities, he suggested that his role had been to bring people together. “The truth is, all I did was convene,” Hardin said, explaining that he sought to ensure City Hall served as “the people’s chamber” and that residents understood they were welcome regardless of their background. His remarks emphasized inclusion, civic participation and the importance of ensuring every Columbus resident feels represented within local government.
The evening concluded with supporters making financial contributions toward Hardin’s political campaign. While the event was explicitly a political fundraiser, the dominant message from speakers centered less on campaign politics than on what they described as Hardin’s record of engagement with immigrant and refugee communities across Columbus. For many in attendance, the fundraiser served not only as a campaign event but also as an opportunity to express appreciation for what they view as sustained support from one of the city’s highest-ranking elected officials.
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