HOW WE GOT STARTED!
Over the years, we’ve woven ourselves into the hearts of the Bangladeshi diaspora and folk culture enthusiasts across New York. Our story began in 2006, when a group of Bangladeshi immigrant women—led by BAFA cofounder Farida Yeasmin—came together with a shared vision: to uplift their community through greater financial awareness.
They launched a lending circle, pooling money from 12 women and distributing it each month to one member through a lottery system. This approach allowed participants to access larger sums of money to invest in meaningful opportunities—such as purchasing sewing machines, opening bank accounts, or taking driving lessons.
With a background in banking, Farida regularly shared her expertise with the group, empowering each woman to take control of her financial future. As the model proved successful, the group expanded its reach, helping Bangladeshi women in other Bronx neighborhoods create lending circles of their own.
In 2007, Farida Yeasmin founded the Bronx Bangladesh Women’s Association (BBWA), a grassroots group focused on community advocacy, peer support, and cultural programming. As BBWA grew, events became open to the public, drawing in the wider Bronx community. Eventually, members like Shamimara Begum, Farjana Yeasmin and Afrina Jimi later became the founding members of BAFA.
In 2011, BBWA launched the Bengali Language Preservation Initiative, offering literacy classes for children on weekends and after school. That same year, BBWA partnered with the late Anup K. Das, former BAFA Dance Director, to start traditional South Asian dance classes in Parkchester. Many of the first students came from BBWA families. Within a year, both programs were thriving.
In 2012, the team founded BAFA Inc. (Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to build a sustainable and growth-driven platform for cultural and community programs. Since then, BAFA has expanded to offer courses in classical and folk music, tabla, guitar, and theater; hosted large community events; and formed key partnerships with local organizations and leaders.
BBWA remains an essential branch, focused on empowering women across generations. Through consistent philanthropic efforts, BAFA has become a trusted community anchor—fostering cultural pride, youth development, and civic engagement. Today, it serves thousands each year and continues to create lasting impact through education, empowerment, and connection.