The Tompkins Avenue Merchants Association (TAMA), which represents small businesses along the Tompkins Avenue corridor in Bedford-Stuyvesant, has announced a leadership transition after nearly a decade of service from its outgoing officers while introducing a new team to guide the organization into its next chapter.
Tiecha Merritt, owner of The Bush Doctor Juice Bar and a founding organizer of TAMA, has stepped down from her role as president after serving from 2014 through 2025.
During her tenure, Merritt helped unify merchants along the avenue, strengthening collaboration among businesses and increasing the corridor’s visibility as a destination for commerce, culture plus community engagement. Her leadership contributed to stronger partnerships, expanded programming and greater recognition of the neighborhood’s entrepreneurial spirit.
“From 2014 to 2025, Tiecha Merritt’s leadership transformed the Tompkins Avenue Business Corridor. As a founding organizer and TAMA’s first president, she united local businesses to increase visibility, drive foot traffic and strengthen community. Her advocacy helped establish Tompkins Avenue as a nationally recognized model for merchant collaboration and inspired similar efforts across other corridors.”
Under the outgoing leadership, TAMA achieved several milestones that elevated Tompkins Avenue’s profile. The organization expanded its SummerFest Weekend Walks, drawing residents and visitors to local shops and restaurants while supporting small businesses.
TAMA also launched Tompkins Avenue Open Streets, transforming portions of the corridor into pedestrian-friendly spaces for events and outdoor activities. The program received the Alfresco NYC Award for Best Open Street in 2021 and was recognized by Time Out Magazine in 2022.
Additional achievements included securing recognition of Tompkins Avenue as a tourist destination through a NAACP Business Award and promoting the corridor’s cultural identity through the branding of Black Girl Magic Street, highlighting the presence of Black-owned businesses and community pride.
Vice President Michael Brooks of Bed-Vyne Wine & Spirits and Treasurer Ayo Agbede of Brooklyn Kettle also stepped down from their previous leadership roles. The outgoing officers worked together to ensure a thoughtful and strategic transition, preparing the association for continued growth and sustainability under new leadership.
Effective Jan. 2026, TAMA introduced a new slate of officers to lead the organization. Rotimi Akinnuoye, affiliated with Bed-Vyne Wine & Spirits and North Star Books + Bar, will serve as president. Ayo Agbede will transition into the role of vice president, while Khadijah Tudor of Life Wellness has been named secretary and Melinda Shaw of Why Hate Math will serve as treasurer.
The new leadership team plans to build on the foundation established over the past decade while advancing initiatives that support economic development, cultural preservation and small business success along the corridor.
TAMA expressed gratitude to its outgoing leaders for their lasting impact on Bedford-Stuyvesant’s Tompkins Avenue commercial district and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the local business community. Residents, merchants and supporters are invited to attend a Tompkins Avenue Mixer on Monday, Feb. 16, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at HATCH, located at 370 Tompkins Avenue, to meet the new officers and celebrate the association’s next phase.
The upcoming gathering will provide an opportunity for community members to connect with neighborhood entrepreneurs, learn about upcoming programming, and share ideas that can help shape future initiatives along the corridor. Organizers hope the event will strengthen collaboration among merchants, residents, and partners invested in the long-term vitality of Tompkins Avenue. Attendees will also hear updates on future events.
