South Yemen in California: A Conference Raises Awareness and Advocacy

2025-02-05
22:08:20

South Yemen in California: A Conference Raises Awareness and Advocacy

California-YOL

In a groundbreaking effort to spotlight the history, culture, and political landscape of South Yemen, the American Center for South Yemen Studies (ACSYS) has launched a series of one-day conferences across the United States. The first event, titled “South Yemen in California,” takes place this Thursday at California State University, Fresno (CSUF), co-hosted by ACSYS, the Department of Political Science at CSUF, and the South Yemen-American Association of California (SYAAC).

The conference aims to amplify awareness of South Yemen’s situation among a wider U.S. audience by featuring insights from community members and leading experts from Yemen, the U.S., and Europe. The event will be broadcast live via X (@acsys_us).

Highlighting a Community’s Legacy

This initiative seeks to bring attention to the often-overlooked South Yemen-American community, particularly in California, Illinois, and New York. Since the 1950s, South Yemenis have played a crucial role in California’s economy, particularly in the agricultural, retail, and restaurant sectors. However, their contributions have remained relatively unrecognized outside their local communities. The conference series aims to change that by fostering discussions on immigrant contributions and the importance of diversity in American society.

“Now more than ever, it’s important to have open discussions about the historical and economic impact of migrant communities,” said Fernando Carvajal, Executive Director of ACSYS. “South Yemenis have been a vital part of California’s economy, yet their story is rarely told. This series of conferences seeks to change that narrative.”

Engaging Experts and Community Leaders

The “South Yemen in California” conference will feature a mix of academic experts and community representatives. Among the speakers is Miss Rania Madhram al-Shuabi, who will discuss the history and contributions of the South Yemen-American community in California and their connections to their ancestral homeland.

Dr. Lisa Bryant, Chair of the Political Science Department at CSUF, will welcome university president Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval for the event’s opening remarks, along with local government officials.

The keynote speaker, Ambassador Khaled al-Yemany, former Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs and UN Representative, will present his research on the Yemeni diaspora and the ongoing situation in Yemen. Other notable speakers include Dr. Flagg Miller (UC Davis), who will explore South Yemen’s rich poetry and cultural traditions.

The panelists will discuss the latest developments in Yemen’s civil war and its impact on the South Yemen-American community.

A Push for Advocacy

Beyond the academic discussions, ACSYS will host “A Day of Advocacy” following each conference, encouraging community members to engage with local and national political leaders. These advocacy sessions aim to strengthen civic engagement and ensure South Yemen-American voices are heard in policy discussions.

Expanding the Conversation

Following the Fresno event, the conference series will continue in March in Chicago, in partnership with the Salaam Middle East & North Africa Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In April, the final event will take place in New York, with support from the local South Yemen-American community.