Weekly Digest
April 11, 2023

2023 JACL National Convention Registration Open Now!

Join us for a sunny, lively, and invigorating 53rd JACL Convention, "Rooted in Community", in the heart of L.A.'s Little Tokyo!

Our 2023 theme of “Rooted in Community” perfectly encompasses your cultural immersion into Little Tokyo's community organizations, museums, history, and, of course, food and shopping! We want to continue the momentum from last year's theme, "Strengthening our Community Through Action."

You can also scan the QR Code below to register! 

A Few Spots Left For Our New Member Orientation with Tamlyn Tomita!

How can you make the most of your JACL membership? Join our virtual program to engage with actress Tamlyn Tomita and JACL leadership, meet other new members, and find out all JACL has to offer. We will have prizes!

Ventura County JACL - An Evening with Jane Kuramoto and Free Koto Workshop!

San Diego JACL Monthly Community Dialogues

Seattle JACL event: Stop Rhyming History

The Seattle JACL is pleased to host a discussion of the documentary film Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America. The film is the creation of Jeffery Robinson, a Seattle-based and nationally recognized civil rights lawyer. The film explores the history of anti-Black racism in America and the enduring legacy of white supremacy and our collective responsibility to overcome it.

Our event will reflect on the types of oppression still present today, how they repeat, or rhyme with episodes in our nation's past, and current efforts aimed at repairing past harms and promoting equity and liberation for all. Our event will feature a panel discussion with Professor Wayne Au, Professor Lorraine Bannai, and community leader Peter Hasegawa, followed by small group conversations among event attendees. 

Here are the event details:

Saturday, April 15

1 PM - 3:30 PM PDT / 4 PM - 6:30 PM EDT

Zoom - register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIldOitrjwsG9eRkcsrV6BQYUjUhcfxL8yA 

Event attendees are asked to watch the film prior to the event. The film is available for streaming on Netflix. The Seattle JACL has also obtained a screening license for those who are not Netflix subscribers. The link for the screening will be active for 72 hours from distribution. 

We hope you will share this event with your organization's members. We are excited to continue to build community together.

Asian Americans in Office: A Discussion with Midwest Elected Officials

Research Study on Racial Encounters in the Asian American Community

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Forum on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders - May 3, 2023

YOU'RE INVITED: On May 3, join the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) in Washington, D.C. for a historic, community-wide celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

This event is open to the public and will feature Biden-Harris Administration officials, groundbreaking artists, and community trailblazers.

To attend in-person or virtually, RSVP below and share out with your networks!

Pan-Asian Voter Empowerment Asian American Action Day 2023

What: Asian American Action Day (AAA Day)

When: May 9th, 2023 (Buses leave at 6am, lobby from 10am-2pm, rally in the Rotunda at 2pm, and return to Chicago by 7pm)

Where: State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois

Who: Pan-Asian Voter Empowerment Coalition and YOU!

Why: We’re heading to Springfield because policies are passed through stories and our legislators need to hear about our unique needs as Asian Americans in Illinois. AAA Day is an opportunity for us to speak with elected officials and directly influence legislation. PAVE is fighting for the Language Equity and Access Act, to Prevent Unwanted Medical Debt, Faith Behind Bars, Faith by Plate, Driver’s Licenses for All, and Health Care Cultural Competency.

Outcomes: 

• 300 Asian American community members in Springfield lobbying their legislators
• Legislators hear testimonies from community members
• Legislators express their commitment to support the 2023 PAVE Legislative Agenda and Priorities
• PAVE organizers and community members continue to develop their leadership in policy/advocacy.

Registration: Please complete our registration form at bit.ly/AAADay2023 by May 2nd.

Training: All participants must attend a Lobby Day 101 training prior to AAA Day. Trainings are available on the following days:

• Thursday, May 4th 6-7:30PM (Korean, Mandarin, and Cantonese interpretation available)
• Saturday, May 6th 11AM-12:30PM (Arabic, Hindi/Urdu, Khmer interpretation available)
• Tuesday, May 8th 11AM-12:30PM (Tagalog and Vietnamese interpretation available)

Logistics: Transportation and food will be provided.

Contact: Please reach out to Rebecca Ozaki (rebecca@jaclchicago.org) with any questions!

Darrell Miho & Heart Bypass Surgery #MihoStrong

Dear Friends and Family of Darrell Miho,

Our dear friend, Darrell, has had a sudden serious health emergency and needs our help. He was running errands when he began to feel chest pain and was a little short of breath. It felt off enough that he went to an ER. Good going, Darrell. But, you know it’s not good when you turn around to suddenly see the doctor and staff surrounding you, springing into action.

He underwent open heart surgery on February 27, 2023. A total of 5 bypasses(!) were performed that day. Thank goodness it was a success!

Darrell was the official photographer for the 2022 JACL National Convention in Las Vegas. We wish him a speedy and successful recovery and hope that the community can help support him through the process! 

Call to Action: Protect Minidoka National Historic Site! Deadline for Comments Extended!

From Friends of Minidoka: 

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Lava Ridge Wind Project in south-central Idaho was released by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on January 17, 2023, and sent to the EPA for approval. It was published in the Federal Register on January 20. The public comment period started Friday, January 20, and will end at 11:59 pm MDT on April 20, 2023 (NEW DEADLINE). For more information about the Lava Ridge proposal, see additional posts on the Friends of Minidoka site linked below. 

• View the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) from BLM Here

• Submit your comments to the BLM. Click the link below for tips on submitting effective comments.

• When you submit your comments to BLM, please cc or email your comments to info@minidoka.org.

Help Find a Match for Mama Grannis!

From Kina Grannis: 

Hi! Kina, Emi, and Misa Grannis here. Thanks for coming to help save our mom’s life. Here’s the deal: If you know our family, you know that our mom is an incredibly magical human. If you don’t know our family, trust us when we tell you that she brings light to everything and everyone she touches. Right now, she needs your help.

The short version:

1. Mama G has a bone marrow cancer called myelofibrosis.

2. She needs a blood stem cell donor* as soon as possible to save her life.

3. To see if you are her match, all you have to do is swab your cheeks with DKMS provided swabs.

*Due to our mom’s specific condition, she needs a blood stem cell donor, not a bone marrow donor. It’s a different (and much simpler) donation process. Either way, all that’s required up front are cheek swabs.

2023 Minoru Yasui Student Contest

The 2023 Minoru Yasui Student Contest theme is responsibility and asks students to express their community responsibilities through a visual art piece and artist statement. The contest has a Junior Division (5th-8th grade) offering a $500 grand prize and Senior Division (9th-12th grade) offering a $1,000 grand prize.

Organized by the Minoru Yasui Legacy Project and the Japanese American Museum of Oregon, the Minoru Yasui Student Contest offers students the opportunity to explore societal topics in connection with the legacy of Minoru Yasui, the only Oregonian to have been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

To view the full details of the contest, visit the Minoru Yasui Student Contest webpage. Submissions must be completed and uploaded by 11:59pm PT on Sunday, May 14. 

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