Press Kit
The short version, and the long one.
An electronic press kit for journalists, festivals, schools, and organizers who need accurate biography language, credentials and public contact details. Images are available on request.
Photo: Mat Simpson Photography
Short bio
Ahmed “Knowmadic” Ali is a Somali-Canadian spoken word poet and educator. He served as Edmonton’s 7th Poet Laureate (2017 to 2019) and won the 2011 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word championship with Team Edmonton.
Knowmadic is pronounced like “nomadic”. The K is silent.
Core story
Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, Ahmed fled the civil war as a young child, spent time in Italy, and immigrated to Canada in 1992. His work connects poetry, education, civic storytelling, and youth voice. Full biography on the About page.
Image library
Shown below for reference.
Media angles
- Poetry in public life: classrooms, institutions, ceremonies, public conversation.
- Student voice and education: workshops and residencies building language and confidence.
- From refugee to Poet Laureate: migration, belonging, civic contribution.
- Equity, arts, and governance: arts councils, public boards, youth advocacy.
- Poet, actor and musician: film credits and a discography, broader than “poet” alone. See Music.
Featured coverage
CBC Edmonton (Poet Laureate appointment and end-of-term coverage), Edify/Avenue (Top 40 Under 40), Global News and Taproot (public-life coverage). Full archive at Press.
Downloads
Public contact
See Contact for media, event, and booking inquiries.
Need something not listed here?
Full biography and résumé are available on request. Image requests are handled individually, since redistribution rights vary by photographer.