Yahya Alyafai is a junior majoring in political science. Originally from Yemen, he came to the United States in 2006. Yahya enrolled in New World High School in the Bronx. Not knowing the English language, he overcame that challenge and graduated on time to attend Borough of Manhattan Community College, where he was the vice president of the United Nations Children’s Fund student club on campus and fundraised for Haiti, raising $5,000. Having transferred to City College, Yahya became a fellow of New York Needs You, a fellowship that aims to close the gap between average college students and first generation college students. He has interned in the New York City Department of Small Business Services and is in the Citi Group Sales and Trading mentorship program, where he has been identified as a high potential candidate for employment. In addition to maintaining a strong academic record, Yahya is the vice president of Leaders Against Systemic Injustice (LASI) at CCNY. As a Colin Powell fellow, Yahya looks forward to the many opportunities to grow intellectually and professionally.