What happens when a neighborhood deli becomes a beacon of hope for local students? In this inspiring episode of The Oasis, we sit down with the visionary brothers behind Zach’s Famous Deli and the viral Grades for Grabs initiative.

The brothers share their incredible journey from Yemen to New York City, detailing the sacrifices their father made and the challenges of growing up in Brooklyn. Wali opens up about his difficult transition from a failing business in the Bronx, where he survived a traumatic shootout, to finding a new purpose on Staten Island.

Discover how their commitment to education and their Islamic faith led to the creation of the Island Ock persona and a program that rewards students for their academic success. From rewarding 100-dollar bills for improved grades to building a global community on TikTok, this conversation explores how these brothers are fighting the stigma of the corner store and building a roadmap for the youth. We also get a sneak peek into Wali's upcoming book, Climbing Mountains, which chronicles his life lessons from the peaks of Yemen to the streets of New York.

Chapters

3:45 The Journey from Yemen to Brooklyn

7:50 Cultural Immersion and Learning English

11:30 High School Years and Sports Dreams

15:10 Struggles with Education and College

19:25 Why Yemenis Open Delis

23:40 Starting a Business in the Bronx

28:15 Surviving the Deli Shooting Incident

32:45 Facing Business Failure and Defeat

36:50 Moving to Staten Island and Starting Over

41:10 Creating the Island Ak Persona

45:30 The Origin of Grades for Grabs

49:50 Going Viral and Community Impact

54:15 How Faith Fuels Their Mission

58:30 Future Vision for the Program

1:03:10 Climbing Mountains Book Announcement

1:06:30 Final Message and How to Support

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From a small table on a Harlem street corner to a global street wear powerhouse, the story of Caps USA is a masterclass in faith, family, and perseverance. Join us on this episode of the Oasis as we sit down with Thierno Diallo to discuss the incredible legacy his parents built after emigrating from Guinea.

We explore how the Diallo family navigated the height of the hip hop movement, the challenges of the 80s and 90s, and the transition into a new era of digital commerce. Thierno shares personal insights on the importance of Sabur (patience), the impact of his Islamic faith on his leadership style, and the responsibility of being a first-generation entrepreneur.

Whether you are an aspiring business owner or a fan of street wear history, this conversation offers valuable lessons on building a brand that remains rooted in community while reaching a global audience. Discover how Caps USA became a staple of 125th Street and why people travel from all over the world to experience the store in person.

Chapters

0:00 Intro and welcome to the Oasis

3:15 The RISE acronym: Risk, identity, and sabur

7:45 From Guinea to Harlem: A parents journey

11:30 Building a business on the corner of

125th Street 15:50 The height of hip hop and the move to hats

20:10 Faith and identity in the street wear world

24:45 Joining the family business as a native Harlemite

29:20 Why family is the center of everything

33:55 The middle child perspective on life and business

38:15 Modernizing Caps USA during the pandemic

43:40 Customer service and the power of trust

48:10 Global reach and the love for Harlem

53:05 Visiting the village and generational ideas

57:30 Meeting his wife and building a future

1:01:05 Business advice and the future of the brand

Make sure to support the movement by visiting the shop in Harlem or checking out their latest drops online. If you found this story inspiring, please RATE & REVIEW.

In this episode of The Oasis, we sit down with Machiami, the founder of Veiled Visionaries and a Forbes Africa recognized leader who is redefining visibility for Black Muslim women in the global market. She share her journey from the Bronx to the global stage, discussing how she uses her MBA and business expertise to bridge the gap between major brands and an underserved community of modest fashionistas.

From the nuances of Ivorian culture to the multi trillion dollar halal economy, this conversation dives deep into why visibility and financial literacy are essential for the modern Muslim woman.

Throughout the interview, we explore the unique challenges faced by black Muslim women in the beauty and hair care industries, the power of cultural identity, and why the global market can no longer afford to overlook this powerful demographic. She also shares her personal inspirations, her passion for soccer, and her mission to foster sisterhood through her groundbreaking ecosystem.

Chapters

1:12 Introducing Machiami and Veiled Visionaries

2:45 Growing up in the Bronx and Ivorian heritage

4:30 Memories of Ivory Coast and cultural storytelling

7:15 Using an MBA to build a brand

8:40 Bridging the gap between brands and Muslim women

11:00 Understanding the two trillion dollar halal economy

14:15 Integrating high level fashion with the hijab

17:30 Soccer, the World Cup, and African excellence

21:00 The future of Veiled Visionaries and financial literacy

24:00 Where to find Machiami and Ivorian food tips

If you enjoyed this deep dive into culture, business, and fashion, please make sure to RATE & REVIEWand subscribe to our channel for more inspiring stories from the Oasis Circle.