I did NCI in 2008, and I really, really loved it. It's still probably one of my favorite summers ever. I can pretty definitively say that I would not be where I am if it weren't for NCI. Prior to NCI, I didn't do any JA stuff, only AAPI activities. This meant that I barely identified with being JA, since I didn't really know how to. NCI helped me discover my passion for the JA community and Little Tokyo, and for community work. It also showed me that working in the community is a viable option as a career, or in whatever way I want to be involved (it also helped me realize how much I did NOT want to go to law school!). But on an even more personal level, NCI helped me connect with my Japanese American identity and the community.

After graduating from college, I went to work for the JACL PSW, the same site as my internship. I also become active in Little Tokyo, JTown Voice, and Tuesday Night Cafe. Today, I work at a new organization in Little Tokyo that I helped start - Kizuna. I am also a board member for the Little Tokyo Community Council, and am part of a young adults group in Little Tokyo - LTroots. I also work in the Asian American Studies Dept. at the Claremont Colleges. 

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Kristin Fukushima NCI Alumni

Kristin Fukushima NCI Alumni

From left to right: Stacy Toyota, Kristin Fukushima, Alan Nishiyo, Jessie Kikuchi

Photo courtesy of Kristin Fukushima