Martha Isabel Zapata, Ph.D., and a team of volunteer Board members created the UMA Center Inc. Founding Board members are Ken McConnell, CPA, Teresa Cox,  Larisa Callaway-Cole, Ph.D., and Olivia Landrum. All of them, except Dr. Callaway-Cole, who moved out of state, still volunteer with the organization. Other Board members are Tomas Barrientos, Jhoanna Astudillo, and Maribel Hoover.

In 2023, UMA received the Gracias Award from the Coalition of Hispanic Organizations for its contributions to the well-being of the Latino community, while TYPROS selected UMA as the social service organization of the year.

In March 2024, Dr. Zapata, UMA’s Executive Director, will be recognized with a Pinnacle Award for her community work by the Mayor’s Office and the YWCA Tulsa. UMA’s staff also was recognized by the Tulsa Health Department in 2022 for their public health work during the pandemic.