Akmed Khalifa has B.A. and M.A. degrees from Metropolitan State University and is completing an MFA degree at Hamline University. He was an artist in residence at the Playwrights' Center in Minneapolis for a year and is a published poet and essayist. He has published two books and teaches a course in the Ethnic Studies department at Metropolitan State University. He works as a student advocate for the Bloomington Public Schools. Akmed has volunteered in various capacities with many non-profit organizations including the City of St Louis Park City Charter Commission, Junior Achievement, the DFL Party, and the Girl Scout Council.