Gov. Hochul signs bill designating Little Yemen in the Bronx as a cultural district
Hochul announced the designation on Sunday alongside local Bronx business leaders and community members. She says it could make cultural organizations in Little Yemen eligible for state grants.
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Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation on Sunday that designates Little Yemen in the Bronx as an official cultural district.
Hochul announced the designation alongside local Bronx business leaders and community members. She says it could make cultural organizations in Little Yemen eligible for state grants.
“Little Yemen has long contributed to the culture of the Bronx, and it’s about time we recognize it,” Hochul said.
The district now has official geographic boundaries, stretching from White Plains Road to Bronxdale Avenue, with Van Nest Avenue marking its southern boundary.
The designation carries deep significance for residents, according to Little Yemen Council Founder and President Yhay Obeid, who described Little Yemen as “more than a name on a map.”
“It is a thriving community built by hardworking families, small businesses, and generations of immigrants. This designation opens a new chapter of cultural preservation, economic opportunity and continued growth for our entire neighborhood,” Obeid added.
State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez and Assemblymember John Zaccaro Jr., who sponsored the bill, both thanked Hochul for signing it into law.
“Little Yemen reflects our borough's story, where families from different backgrounds have built communities and contributed to the neighborhoods they call home,” Fernandez said.
Zaccaro described the designation as “a historic moment for the Bronx and the Yemeni-American community."
