Get to know Our Founders
Executive Director and Founder
Yussuf Adow
Hello, my name is Yussuf Adow, and I am the Founder and Executive Director of Dhalinyaro Kings Collective. I am dedicated to supporting youth and families on their journey toward improved health, confidence, and overall well-being.
I graduated from Edward Little High School and earned my degree in Rehabilitation Services from the University of Maine at Farmington. Throughout my academic journey, I competed in track for four years and played soccer at both EL and UMF—experiences that strengthened my discipline, leadership, and commitment to teamwork. Sports taught me resilience, accountability, and the importance of community support—values that now guide everything I do.
My passion for helping others has always been rooted in a desire to uplift the people around me, especially youth navigating the same challenges I once faced. Over the past several years, I have had the privilege of working closely with young people from diverse backgrounds, designing and implementing programs that meet their immediate needs while supporting their long-term personal, academic, and professional growth.
I believe deeply in the power of collaboration, community engagement, and culturally responsive leadership. When youth feel seen, supported, and connected, they begin to understand their own potential. By creating spaces that foster belonging, teamwork, and purpose, we give young people the foundation they need to build brighter futures.
Through Dhalinyaro Kings Collective, I am committed to using my experience in program development, fundraising, mentorship, and community outreach to create initiatives that inspire youth to lead, grow, and give back. I have seen firsthand that when young people are given the right tools and opportunities, they can accomplish extraordinary things—not just for themselves, but for the entire community.
I am honored to serve, to lead, and to work alongside those who share this vision. Together, we can empower the next generation to rise as strong, confident, and compassionate leaders.
Email —yussuf.adow@dalinyarokingcollective.org
Co-Founder
Co-Founder
Abdilahi Bakar Abdi
My name is Abdilahi Abdi, and I am a co-founder of the Dhalinyaro Kings Collective, an initiative I helped build alongside Yussuf Adow and Liban Negeye. The word “Dhalinyaro” means youth in Somali—a name that reflects exactly who we serve and why we do this work. Our mission is rooted in supporting young people as they grow, build confidence, develop their skills, and find direction in their lives.
We founded Dhalinyaro Kings Collective because we saw a need that could no longer be ignored: youth in our community deserved a positive, empowering space where they could access mentorship, leadership opportunities, and the guidance they need to succeed. Too many young people are navigating life without support systems, safe activities, or role models. We wanted to change that.
For me, this work is personal. I am driven by a sincere commitment to guiding the next generation—creating environments where youth feel seen, uplifted, and encouraged to step into their full potential. I believe that when young people are given the right tools and surrounded by a supportive community, they don’t just grow individually—they grow into leaders who strengthen the entire community.
Through the Dhalinyaro Kings Collective, I am committed to building pathways that help youth stay focused, gain confidence, and become the strong, purpose-driven leaders our community needs.
Email — Abdilahi.Abdi@dhalinyarokingcollective.org
Liban Negeye
My name is Liban Negeye, and I am the co-founder of Dhalinyaro Kings Collective. I was born in Kenya, but I found my true home and purpose here in the United States. Growing up between cultures shaped my identity and gave me a deep appreciation for diversity, resilience, and community.
Soccer has always been my passion—but building opportunities for youth has become my purpose. Throughout my life, I’ve seen how mentorship, education, and a simple chance can completely change the trajectory of a young person’s future. That is why I am committed to serving underserved youth, especially those who feel overlooked or disconnected.
I volunteer my time, energy, and resources to support young people in every way I can—whether it's organizing soccer clinics, offering tutoring sessions, or leading community outreach programs. My goal is to ensure that every young person has access to the guidance, support, and opportunities that can empower them to rise.
Dhalinyaro Kings Collective is more than an organization to me—it is a promise to the next generation. A promise that we will show up for them. A promise that we will build the spaces we needed growing up. And a promise that no young person should ever feel alone on their journey.
Email — Liban.Negeye@dhalinyarokingcollective.org