Boston’s vibrant Somali-American community is celebrating the success of 12-year-old Sulayman Abdirahman, a seventh grader from Mattapan’s Brooke Charter School, who won the 14th annual Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) Citywide Spelling Bee.
Sulayman’s victory came after an intense competition at the Boston Public Library, where he correctly spelled “après” to secure the championship against 18 other finalists. His performance consisted of 12 regular rounds followed by an exhausting 29 final rounds, showcasing both stamina and composure under pressure.
Sulayman’s journey to citywide champion was built on years of dedication to spelling and language. He began competing in elementary school spelling bees, first winning at the classroom and school levels as early as fourth grade, and even placed second in the citywide bee in 2019.
To prepare for competitions, he has devoted significant time to studying, from traditional flashcards to advanced digital tools that provide pronunciation and etymology, while balancing schoolwork and personal interests.
With his citywide win, Sulayman earned the opportunity to represent Boston at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., one of the most prestigious academic competitions in the United States. His achievement is especially meaningful, as Massachusetts has not produced a national champion since 1939.
Sulayman’s success brings pride not only to his family and school but also to the broader Somali-American community in Boston, highlighting the importance of academic excellence, perseverance, and community support in expanding opportunities for young leaders.
Said Abdikarim is a visionary business and nonprofit leader with more than a decade of experience in strategic communications, public policy, and civic engagement. His work spans nonprofit, educational, and public-sector organizations, where he has led high-impact initiatives focused on narrative strategy, complex project management, and meaningful engagement with diverse communities and stakeholders.
