Hawa Hassan presents Setting a Place for Us with Katherine Bloom-O'Connell

This event is co-hosted by Alight!

This Spring, James Beard Award-winning author, chef, and entrepreneur Hawa Hassan releases her powerful new book, “Setting a Place for Us: Recipes and Stories of Displacement, Resilience, and Community” (Penguin Random House; $37.99; May 13, 2025). This beautifully photographed and evocatively written book sheds light on the importance of preserving recipes and food traditions in places of conflict and migration, weaving together profoundly personal narratives and 75 vibrant recipes from eight countries impacted by conflict – Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, El Salvador, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, and Yemen – to tell stories of resilience, survival, and the universal language of food.

Hawa Hassan is a James Beard Award-winning author, celebrated chef, Food Network personality, and founder of Basbaas Foods, a line of African-inspired condiments that blend tradition with innovation. Born in Somalia and shaped by her experiences as a refugee, Hawa uses food as a bridge to connect people and cultures. She is the author of the critically acclaimed In Bibi’s Kitchen, which shares recipes and stories from African grandmothers, and her forthcoming book, Setting a Place for Us: Recipes and Stories of Displacement, Resilience, and Community (May 2025), explores the deep connections between food, identity, displacement, and heritage. With features in Forbes, The New York Times, and Eater, Hawa continues to inspire through her storytelling, passion for culture, and dedication to celebrating the flavors of her home continent.

Katherine is the Chief of Staff at Alight, an international organization that believes in the remarkable potential of displaced people, working together to build lives filled with joy, dignity, and possibility.

With a career rooted in strategic communications and a passion for human connection, she helps lead transformative initiatives that spark belonging, ignite possibility, and shift narratives. Katherine brings warmth, curiosity, and a deep commitment to dignity in all she does—whether building ambitious partnerships, shaping executive vision, or hosting conversations that matter.

About Alight

Established in 1978, Alight, formerly known as American Refugee Committee, works with families and communities to build a meaningful future after displacement. Alight provides health care, clean water, shelter, protection and economic opportunities to more than 4 million people in over 20 countries each year. Here in Minnesota, Alight serves newcomers to the United States and the individuals and communities who welcome them. In 2024, Alight received the prestigious 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the fourteenth consecutive year, celebrating more than a decade of impactful work.

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