*Sansei *Born in Toronto *Grandparents are from Shiga and Kumamoto kens* Families were interned in Kaslo, Bayfarm and on a Manitoba beet farm * Lived in Sendai, Japan from 1994 to 2004 * Teacher in Brampton, ON * Aikidoka * Writer for the Nikkei Voice for close to 20 years * Writer of "Canadian Nikkei series" which aims at preserving Canadian Nikkei stories. Future of the community? It depends on how successful we are in engaging our youth. The University of Victoria's (BC) Landscapes of Injustice project is a good one.... gambatte kudasai!

I’m a Yonsei, occasional artist and writer, and full-time Digital Program Manager at the Japanese American National Museum. I was born in Los Angeles and have lived in Southern California almost my entire life. I am fluent in English, can understand about 80% of conversational Japanese, and don’t know any Spanish or Portuguese (although after having worked on Discover Nikkei for so long, would like to learn someday). I love working in Little Tokyo and living in Gardena. Both areas give me wonderful access to Japanese/Nikkei food, community, and culture. I bowl in a Nikkei league once a week, and spend my free time eating, sleeping, playing on my phone and computer, rooting for the Dodgers, watching TV and reading, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. I love working on Discover Nikkei and learning about so many different Nikkei experiences around the world!

A Japanese who lives in Los Angeles. Project manager for the Discover Nikkei Web site at the Japanese American National Museum.

Okinawa Association of America (OAA) | Gardena, CaliforniaPreserving, promoting, and perpetuating Okinawan culture Sign up for our email list:https://tinyurl.com/oaa-email-list The Okinawa Association of America, Inc. (OAA) is an award-winning 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and perpetuating Okinawan culture in the greater Los Angeles area. Formed by first generation immigrants (issei) over a century ago, the OAA has grown into a multi-generational organization that hosts numerous events throughout the year including cultural presentations, performances, and senior-focused activities.The OAA's decades of service have garnered accolades including the 2025 Community Organization Recognition Award (Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California), 2023 California Nonprofit of the Year (nominated by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, 66th District) and 2019 Frances K. Hashimoto Community Service Award (Nisei Week Foundation). OAA leaders have also been recognized by the Okinawa Prefectural Government as Overseas Goodwill Ambassadors and Next Generation Representatives. ANNUAL EVENTS:• January – New Year's Party• February/March – Women's Club New Year Gathering• February/March – Sanshin Day• April/May – Okinawan Craft Fair• May – Kajimayaa Seniors Club Luncheon• June – Irei no Hi: Remembering the Battle of Okinawa• July – Picnic and Okinawa Bon Dance• September/October – Senior Appreciation Day• October – World Uchinaanchu Day Celebration• Special events include cultural workshops and performances, family- and senior-focused activities, screenings, and more!MONTHLY ACTIVITIES:• 2nd Fridays – Uchinaaguchi (Okinawan Language) Class (Members Only)• 3rd Saturdays – Women's Club Gathering• 3rd Saturdays – Karaoke Club (Members Only)• Last Saturdays – Nuchaashii Potluck Gathering

We are an organization that is committed to preserving, promoting and sharing Japanese and Japanese American culture and heritage. Mission To build and grow a central gathering place for sharing and promoting Japanese and Japanese American culture and heritage. Description To learn more about our programs and activities please visit our website at http://www.jcccw.org/ Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Mixi!

OUR MISSION私達の使命 ​A space to engage, share, and embrace the Nikkei experience and culture.日系の経験と文化に関わり、共有し、受け入れる空間 OUR VISION私たちのビジョン The GVJCI envisions a vibrant network and a welcoming space for all persons interested in Japanese heritage and culture where history and tradition are honored, people are inspired to create action and change, and cultural pride and respect for all humanity are promoted.ガーデナバレーJCIは歴史と伝統が尊重され、日本文化と伝統に興味のある全ての人々のために活気に満ちたネットワークと親しみやすい空間を理想としており、そして歴史と伝統が讃えられ、人々が行動と変化を起こすよう鼓舞され、全人類に対する文化的誇りと尊敬が促進されることを理想としています。   Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community center providing various classes, services and programs for seniors, non-senior adults and youth in the South Bay of Los Angeles County for over 50 years.  Our mission is to create a space to engage, share, and embrace the Nikkei experience and culture. We are a hidden gem located on the border of the cities of Gardena and Torrance, and the beautiful Southern California beach cities.​​ガーデナバレーJCIは50年以上に渡って住宅、多種のクラス、サービス、シニアから子供達までいろいろな年齢の方々のためのプログラムをサポートする非営利団体です。私達の使命は日系コミュニティのニーズに応えることです。教育、文化、社会プログラムを通して、日本文化そして日系社会の文化を分かち合うことです。私たちはガーデナ市とトーランス市、そして南カリフォルニアの美しいビーチ街との境界に位置する隠れた名所です。

Aaron Caycedo-Kimura is a writer, visual artist, and teacher. He is the author of two poetry books: the full-length collection Common Grace (Beacon Press, 2022) and Ubasute, winner of the 2020 Slapering Hol Press Chapbook Competition. He is also the author and illustrator of the nonfiction book Text, Don’t Call: An Illustrated Guide to the Introverted Life (TarcherPerigee, 2017). His honors include a MacDowell Stanford Calderwood Fellowship, a Robert Pinsky Global Fellowship in Poetry, and a St. Botolph Club Foundation Emerging Artist Award in Literature. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in numerous journals and anthologies, including Beloit Poetry Journal, The Cincinnati Review, Shenandoah, RHINO, Salamander, Cave Wall, Consequence, and elsewhere. Caycedo-Kimura earned his MFA from Boston University and teaches creative writing at Trinity College.