Experience

Nichi Bei Foundation

• Newspaper Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder and President

  • Jul 2009 - Present

  Out of the ashes of the Nichi Bei Times, Northern California's oldest and most respected Japanese American community newspaper until its closure in September of 2009, the Nichi Bei Foundation was organized as an educational and charitable nonprofit organization whose main goals are to keep the community connected, informed and empowered — primarily through the publication of the first nonprofit ethnic newspaper of its kind in the country, the Nichi Bei Weekly. The Nichi Bei Foundation also sponsors educational programs and fundraisers, such as the Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival and Nichi Bei Day with the A's. Launched the Films of Remembrance in 2012 to showcase films related to the Japanese American concentration camp experience and to provide a venue for filmmakers to screen their work. Launched the Nichi Bei Foundation Author Series in November of 2013 to provide a venue for authors who write about the Japanese American experience. Show less



Nichi Bei Weekly

• San Francisco

• Editor-in-Chief

  • Sep 2009 - Present

  Editor at the first nonprofit ethnic newspaper of its kind in the country, the Nichi Bei Weekly. The Nichi Bei Weekly, first conceived as a weekly publication from September 2009 through April 2012, is now a biweekly publication serving the Japanese American and Asian American community. It also runs a news and culture Website, www.nichibei.org. In January of 2014, the Nichi Bei Weekly launched an innovative Digital Edition, a digital reproduction of the print newspaper that can be viewed around the world on computers and tablets. www.nichibei.org Show less



Films of Remembrance

• San Francisco's Japantown

• Founder and Executive Producer

  • Feb 2012 - Present

  Founded the Films of Remembrance, a one-day series of films related to the World War II Japanese American concentration camp experience. The event strives to provide a venue for filmmakers to showcase their works, while deepening the public understanding of the various issues related to the World War II deprivation of civil liberties and its lessons for today. The event has grown from several dozen attendees in 2012 to more than 1,500 attendees and a two-day event in both San Francisco and San Jose Japantowns. Films of Remembrance has also been presented in Sacramento in 2017, and in New York City in 2019. Presented by the Nichi Bei Foundation. Show less



Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival

• San Francisco Bay Area

• Founder and Co-Chair

  • Apr 2009 - Present

  The Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival, a fundraiser for the Nichi Bei Foundation, is a unique event dedicated to educating the public on the health benefits of soy and tofu. Vendors include those who sell soy-related products. Featuring a Tofu Dessert Competition, the festival also includes live entertainment and a children's activities area. www.soyandtofufest.org The Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival, a fundraiser for the Nichi Bei Foundation, is a unique event dedicated to educating the public on the health benefits of soy and tofu. Vendors include those who sell soy-related products. Featuring a Tofu Dessert Competition, the festival also includes live entertainment and a children's activities area. www.soyandtofufest.org



Nichi Bei Times

• San Francisco's Japantown

• English Edition Editor and Vice President

  • Sep 1995 - Sep 2009

  Served as English Editor of oldest and most respected Japanese American community newspaper in Northern California, which closed in September of 2009 after 63 years in business. Newspaper had a legacy going back to 1899 with the founding of the Nichi Bei Shimbun by Kyutaro Abiko, said to be the most influential Japanese immigrant to America. Received the Community Service Award from New California Media in 1999 for a story on the little-known movement for redress by Japanese American railroad and mine workers, whose family heads were fired at the hands of the U.S. government during World War II. In 2004, led both English and Japanese sections on a project entitled "To Bridge or Not to Bridge," examining whether Japanese Americans had a "responsibility" to play a role in U.S.-Japan relations, and cross-cultural communication between English-speaking and Japanese-speaking persons of Japanese descent in America. Show less



Human Rights / Fair Housing Commission of Sacramento City and County

• Sacramento, Calif.

• Community Information Officer

  • 1994 - 1995

  Served as public relations officer for city/county human rights agency. Duties and responsibilities included: • Publishing the agency's newsletter, "Human Writes" • Organizing a regional conference on affirmative action • Producing a call-in talk show on public access television dealing with human rights issues • Co-produced a Hate Crime Handbook for victims • Representing the agency at various meetings with city officials • Interfacing with community organizations Served as public relations officer for city/county human rights agency. Duties and responsibilities included: • Publishing the agency's newsletter, "Human Writes" • Organizing a regional conference on affirmative action • Producing a call-in talk show on public access television dealing with human rights issues • Co-produced a Hate Crime Handbook for victims • Representing the agency at various meetings with city officials • Interfacing with community organizations