My name is Manuel Alejandro Pérez Morales, but everyone knows me as Manuel Okata. I was born in Cienfuegos, Cuba. I studied visual arts at the Benny Moré Academy of Arts and then at the University of the Arts of Cuba in Havana, where I graduated with a degree in Stage Design in 2020. Since I was a child, I've been closely involved with the Nikkei community with my family. I think I connect with my Nikkei identity in my daily life, even in the projects I create. It's part of who I am, and I'm proud of it. In my work, I try to fuse my cultural roots, just like I am: a mix of various nationalities and identities. Fun facts: I love all Japanese food except natto. I especially like ramen, sushi, and Japanese curry.

Dancer, creator and researcher in movement. 4th generation Nikkei and student of Dance at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. Her dance training has focused for several years on ballet and contemporary dance, but her current practice delves into the research of contemporary dance along with Odori and Eisa. She has been a dancer in various ballet and contemporary dance pieces, as well as creating and directing interdisciplinary and contemporary dance pieces.

Art friends and food

Author of “Navigating With(out) Instruments,” a book of poetry, micro essays and notes to self—which is being taught in contemporary literature, ethnic, and Asian American studies courses at the university level, and has gained critical acclaim from a wide spectrum of poets, authors, artists, musicians, academics, community leaders & activists. tkk also narrates for audiobooks from time to time, and recently recorded her 13th title, “The Fervor,” by Alma Katsu, acknowledged by The New York Times’ “6 Audiobooks to Listen to Now.” Her other recordings include “The Memory Police” (Yoko Ogawa); “The Swimmers” (Julie Otsuka); “Intimacies” (Katie Kitamura); and “Temple Alley Summer,” by Sachiko Kashiwaba and Avery FIscher Udagawa, which garnered tkk a Earphone Award and an Audie Award nomination. traci is the Director/Co-Founder of Tuesday Night Project; a core artist of Vigilant Love; a longtime supporter of Okaeri; and a lead organizer with the Nikkei Progressives/NCRR Reparations Committee and the newly formed National Nikkei Reparations Coalition. tkk is a performer and principal writer for PULLproject Ensemble, co-led by aerial artist Kennedy Kabasares, and together with composer Howard Ho and their creative team, developed “TALES OF CLAMOR,” which premiered at the Aratani Theatre Black Box in 2019, and was recently awarded a National Theatre Project grant from NEFA (New England Foundation for the Arts), which support further development of the play and capacity to tour beginning in 2023.

Writer, Journalist and Author specializing in multicultural themes, art, politics, satire, comedy and popular culture for newspapers, books, radio, the web and television. Perhaps my greatest influence as a writer stems from my background of being half Japanese on my mother's side and Russian-Jewish on my father's side, which has inspired me to be more empathetic, interested and passionate about mixed race cultures and the varied human experience. Raised in both Hawaii and Los Angeles by parents who are artists and former professors, I was exposed to a rich cultural and academic experience that still feeds my inspiration to create new work and continually progress and grow as a "Hapa" artist. Some of my articles are featured in the Japanese- American National Museum exhibit entitled "Hapa-Japan, Visible and Invisible". Currently I am writing two books about my mixed racial identity; one book will be a compilation of short humorous essays, while the other will be a novel about the 442nd Infantry. Some of my articles can be read here on this wonderful site, DiscoverNikkei.org.