I am an oral historian, creative writer, and the Communications Writer at JANM. I earned my MA in History from California State University, Fullerton.

Steering committee of Washin Kai (Friends of Classical Japanese at University of Washington)

Alden M. Hayashi is a Sansei who was born and raised in Honolulu but now lives in Boston. After writing about science, technology, and business for more than thirty years, he has recently begun writing fiction to preserve stories of the Nikkei experience. His first novel, Two Nails, One Love, was published in September 2021. His website: www.aldenmhayashi.com.

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!

-Mission- The Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute serves the needs of the Japanese American community of the South Bay Area through educational, cultural and social programs by: Providing programs and activities, sensitive and relevant, to the needs of our senior citizens and youth; Offering use of facilities and support to community organizations which foster the best interests and welfare of the community and Striving to create an environment for better inter-generational understanding, for perpetuating the ethnic heritage of Americans of Japanese ancestry, and for promoting cultural pride and respect for all humanity. -Company Overview- The Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community center providing various classes, programs, services, and facilities to the South Bay area. We also provide affordable housing through the JCI Gardens Apartments, the adjacent senior housing property. The GVJCI's roots date back to 1912, with the establishment of the Moneta Gakuen, a Japanese language school. In 1967, it was formally incorporated as the Gardena Valley Japanese Language School. Then, in 1968, the corporation changed its name to the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute to incorporate the broader services and functions the organization offered. In 1971, Compton Gakuen, Gardena Gakuen, and Moneta Gakuen merged, opening its doors officially as the GVJCI's Japanese Language School.

Jun Cura-Bongolan is a Filipino yonsei born and raised in Toronto, Canada. His late grandmother was a war-displaced Japanese Filipina that had been separated from her prewar Issei father following the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II. His family's tragic history encouraged him to pursue Anthropology with a Certificate in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies at York University, and continues to influence his work in community organizing around social justice issues. Currently, he is the founder and President of the Filipino-Japanese Descendants Association in Canada.

Fourth generation Nikkei, fluent in both English and Japanese after living in Tokyo for about 6 years. Living in Japan was an amazing experience, but it's definitely too hot during the summer. Glad to be back in CA. Now happily married to my wife that I met in Tokyo, working as an interpreter/designer, and addicted to coffee.

Vice President of the Management Committee of the Association of the Japanese Colony of Cuba