The Yemeni American Merchants Association (YAMA) is a grassroots non-profit organization founded in the wake of the highly impactful Yemeni Bodega Strike. This significant protest took place on February 2, 2017, at Brooklyn Borough Hall, in direct response to the Executive Order Travel Ban.
YAMA is dedicated to empowering Yemeni-American merchants and their families. We achieve this by providing vital support in education, business and social services, and civil rights advocacy.
At YAMA, the services and community engagement are at the heart of everything they do. They are all about investing in the development and growth of Yemeni Americans, helping them reach their full potential.
Want to learn more about how they support the community? Check out the various services below, and be sure to get in touch with them to stay updated on the latest activities!
- Support Services
- Community Empowemernt
- Education and outreach
- Immigration Services
Click link to learn more: https://www.yamausa.org/services/
I recently had the pleasure of attending one of YAMA’s events! On June 14th, 2025, they hosted a fantastic “Qahwa & Qisah” event at Mokafe’s Times Square location.
I had the pleasure of meeting Abdulsalam Mubarez, the owner and founder of MoKafe Coffee House, at the event. He shared an inspiring journey of how he started his business. Afterward, I made sure to connect with him privately to discuss a potential collaboration.
At Kufi Productions, we’re working on a project that involves interviewing influential figures in the Islamic community who have made a significant impact. We’d love to feature Abdulsalam, delve deeper into his entrepreneurial path, and gather any advice he has for others looking to invest or launch a new business.
Abdulsalam also had one of his favorite employees give us a fantastic education on the various types of coffee Mokafe serves, and the fascinating origins of their coffee beans. I made sure to record it, so you all can see it too!
The event also featured an open mic, and I couldn’t resist. It had been ages since I performed a poem in front of an audience, so I took full advantage and jumped right in! I was definitely nervous, especially since I decided to do it on a whim and didn’t have time to memorize my piece.
If you’re looking to share your art, whether it’s painting, poetry, or music, I highly recommend YAMA. They’re a fantastic organization that truly helps your talent shine and get noticed.
Check them out: https://www.yamausa.org/
