Adel Mozip has become the first Yemeni American trustee on the Dearborn Board of Education. While some may say “It’s only the school board”, the achievement has left the city’s Yemeni American community overjoyed.
YAN – Dearborn
It is a historic first that will motivate the youth and be the catalyst for greater participation in public life from Yemeni Americans, community advocates have said.
Moreover, the school board sets policies that affect entire generations of people in the city. The position may not be the most prestigious, but it remains influential and important.
Mozip has repeatedly tried to make it to the board, by running for elections and applying to be appointed to vacancies. This resilience is a lesson that other activists can follow.
The new trustee is also not an appointment to increase diversity. With a college degrees in computer science and business and keen enthusiasm for education, Mozip is a valuable addition to the board.
‘Role model’
Ahmad Qahman, a Ford Motor Company employee with two children in the district, said Mozip’s appointment means a lot to him and his kids.
“First, it means that as a Yemeni community, now we have a presence through our educated youth on the board,” he said. “Second, my children have a role model for leadership and education in their own schools.”
For his part Wali al-Tahif, a Yemeni American activist who has a child in the Dearborn Schools, said the appointment is a “historic moment” for Yemeni Americans in the city.
“He will represent our community brilliantly and open the door for the new generation,” Tahif said of Mozip. “He will also be a great addition to the board as someone from a new and diverse generation.”
In a city with a growing Yemeni American community, Dearborn lacks Yemeni representation. While Arab Americans have made strides in the city council where both the council president and pro tem are of Lebanese descent, Yemenis are yet to be elected to local office.
Community members say the hope that Mozip’s appointment will lead to more balanced representation, where the city’s leaders look like its population.
“Adel’s appointment is a victory for democracy. He will be a great representative and advocate for our kids,” said Youssef al-Qabash.
‘He’s one of us’
Ali al-Qirsh echoed that comment, saying that the appointment will be the beginning for greater city-wide political and civic participation by Yemeni Americans.
“It’s a success for the entire Arab community,” he said.
Yasser al-Soufi said beyond his Yemeni heritage, Mozip is the right man for the job.
“He is the best for this position,” Soufi said. “Not only because of his skills and experience, but also his passion for education and commitment to public service. He has the energy and work ethic to be a role model for students of all colors and religions across Dearborn.”
Joseph Borrajo, a veteran Arab American activist of Yemeni descent, also hailed the appointment.
“It means a lot to me but it means a lot more to the community,” Borrajo told the Yemeni American News. “He is a face of the community that our young people could look to and say, ‘he’s one of us.’ I see a community right now that’s blossoming like a huge beautiful flower in so many respects.”
