Weekly Digest
April 25, 2023

- 2023 JACL National Convention -

Registration and Committee Documents Available 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! 

CBL and Resolution Committee Documents can now be found on the convention webpage! Click below to visit the documents page!

Spring 2023 JACL National Board Meeting in Los Angeles

On Saturday, May 6th, the JACL National Board will be hosting its quarterly board meeting. The board meeting will be open to the public and be held in person. A hybrid option will be available but you must RSVP in order to join. Details on joining the meeting and other information necessary will be sent out following registration, no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting's start time.

For those attending in person, the board meeting will be held at the DoubleTree Los Angeles Downtown in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo at 120 S Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 at 9:00 am PST on May, 6th. Anyone attending in person will be required to follow COVID guidelines, including wearing a mask during the meeting and following vaccination requirements.

JACL Letter of Support for Julie Su's Nomination as Secretary of Labor

Letter sent to Senate HELP Committee on 4/24:

"On behalf of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), we write to express our support for the confirmation of Julie Su to serve as the next U.S. Secretary of the Department of Labor. Su’s extensive experience championing the legal and civil rights of workers in this country uniquely positions her for the role of Secretary. 

Ms. Su has already been confirmed by the Senate in 2021 to serve as Deputy Secretary of Labor. In that role, she worked with Secretary Marty Walsh to advance the mission of the Department of Labor “to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.” She has worked closely with Secretary Walsh and would provide much needed continuity to the agency as it continues its work without disruption."

JACL New Member Orientation with Tamlyn Tomita - Recording!

Our new member orientation took place last week! Participants had the opportunity to engage with actress Tamlyn Tomita and JACL leadership, meet other new members, and find out all JACL has to offer. Watch the recording below!

Get Lit! Festival Features Japanese American Authors Betsy Aoki and Elaine Cockrell

For three years, the Spokane Chapter has supported the annual Get Lit! Festival in Spokane, working with them to bring Japanese American authors to the festival. Get Lit!, a non-profit literary arts organization housed within Eastern Washington University, is a four-day festival with readings, writing workshops, craft classes, open mics, panel discussions, literary happy hours, and more. 

The Spokane Chapter's mission is to support authors who share the history, traditions, culture and experiences of Japanese Americans. This year we sponsored “Celebrating the Japanese American Experience with Betsy Aoki and Elaine Cockrell” on April 23, 2023. Betsy Aoki is a poet, fiction writer and game producer, who blends technology and the Asian American experience in her writing. Elaine Cockrell wrote the fiction book “A Shrug of the Shoulders”, about the Portland assembly center, internment camps, and the Farm Security Administration labor camp near Nyssa, Oregon.

Photo left to right: Author Betsy Aoki, Rod Tamura, Board Member of the Spokane Chapter JACL, Author Elaine Cockrell

2023 JACL Legacy Fund Grant Applications Available Now!

Are you a chapter in good standing and thinking about furthering the mission and fulfilling the vision of the JACL? If so, apply for a 2023 Legacy Fund Grant today and use it as seed money to execute a multi-generational project or activity where your chapter (or district) can take a leadership role in local programming.

To learn more please visit the JACL National Legacy Fund Grant page here or click down below. Applications are due by Sunday, May 21, 2023, at 11:59 pm Hawaiian Standard Time. 

The JACL National Council established the Legacy Fund at the 1990 JACL National Convention in San Diego. Much of the original funds were donated by JACL members who gave portions of their redress awards to further the legacy of the JACL. Each year, a portion of the earnings from the Legacy Fund Endowment provides the funds to run the LFG program.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Research Study on Racial Encounters in the Asian American Community

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

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!

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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