Junior Chamber International (JCI) is a non-profit organization of active young citizens between the ages of 18 and 40 who are committed and involved in making an impact in their communities. JCI members are active citizens from all walks of life who embrace new ideas, collaboration, and diversity. Active citizens are people who care about the future of our world. Our projects include partnerships with other organizations, focused on more social and cultural issues, but also on the development of our members themselves.

Francys Ponce de Leon Arakawa is a Mechanical Engineer, she is working as Executive Assistant in Sojitz Corporation Havana Office, she is Quality and Environment Master. She is sansei, her grandparents emigrated to Cuba in 1928 from Kumamoto. In 2012 she participated in training in Japan by JICA and had experiences that have contributed to participate more actively in the Cuba's community nikkei. She wants an exchange with Nikkei communities in other countries and to have experiences of future work and organization in her country.

Norio Umezu Hall is a queer and trans Yonsei from California. He loves writing, watching films, and reading stories. During the day he writes for a national non-profit and in his off hours he loves spending time with his family and stargazing.

Ryujin Taiko was formed as a creative outlet for taiko drumming with an emphasis for experimenting with modern ways to enhance the classical Japanese drums. Members performed with one of North American earliest taiko groups, as well as learned from some of the most reputable instructors in the community. This background has given them a well-rounded education in taiko form, and an understanding in the musicality of rhythmic instruments. Our goal is to bring fun and energy to our performances, as well as to connect with our audience and make them smile.

Kon'nichi' wa!

I enjoy spending time at bookshops, taking nice walks, trying new recipes, and travelling to many different places in my free time. The most significant experience in my life was when I lived in Japan, 40 years ago.

Amy Uyematsu is a Sansei from Los Angeles. Active in the early Asian American movement, she was a co-editor of UCLA's Roots: An Asian American Reader. Amy taught high school math for LA Unified Schools for 32 years. Her first poetry book with poems about growing up J-A in LA was aptly named 30 Miles from J-Town. Currently, she teaches a writing workshop at the Far East Lounge in LA's Little Tokyo.