Chris Komai is a freelance writer who has been involved in Little Tokyo for five decades. He was the Public Information Officer of the Japanese American National Museum for over 21 years, where he handled publicity for the organization’s special events, exhibitions and public programs. Prior to that, Komai worked for the Japanese-English newspaper The Rafu Shimpo for 18 years as a sports writer, sports editor and English editor. Komai also serves on the Little Tokyo Community Council Board, the Little Tokyo Public Safety Association Board and the Keiro Foundation Board. He has been a member of the Southern California Nisei Athletic Union Board for basketball and baseball for 40 years. Komai is one of the founders of the Nikkei Basketball Heritage Association (NBHA), which seeks to connect JA basketball history to the current players and their families. He earned a B.A. degree in English from the University of California at Riverside.

The largest museum in the United States dedicated to sharing the experience of Americans of Japanese ancestry as an integral part of U.S. history. Visit janm.org to learn more about our exhibitions, public programs, and projects.

Marsha Takeda-Morrison is a third-generation Japanese-American writer living in Los Angeles with her husband and two teenage daughters. She chronicles her family’s life on her personal blog, Sweatpantsmom, writes about parenting for Mom.me and dishes on teen celebrities for Celebrity Teen Scoop. She frequently covers pop culture and has interviewed the likes of Paris Hilton, Jessica Alba, Kim Kardashian and Mila Kunis. While she spends a lot of time in Hollywood she has never had plastic surgery, given birth to an actor’s child or tried out for the cast of ‘Glee.’ Yet.

The Little Tokyo Historical Society (LTHS) was formed in 2006 by members of the Little Tokyo community to commemorate the Nikkei history and heritage through various means such as: archival collections, photos, exhibits, lectures and workshops, and gallery. Although other organizations documenting Japanese American history exist, LTHS narrows its focus by concentrating on the history of Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, rather than the larger scope of Japanese Americans nationwide.LTHS operates as a volunteer organization, comprised of members from the Little Tokyo community including nonprofit employees, business owners, and residents. Our MissionLTHS focuses on researching and discovering the historical resources, stories, and connections of sites, buildings, and events related to Little Tokyo as an ethnic heritage neighborhood. LTHS is committed to documenting and verifying history of locales, sites, and buildings, as well as preserving and sharing the history and personal stories of Little Tokyo and its residents.

Yoshimi is a former intern of Discover Nikkei during the summer of 2009 and started her engagement with the JA community when she joined the Nikkei Student Union and Kyodo Taiko team at UCLA during her college career.

DMo is a writer based in Los Angeles, specializing in the arts and the nonprofit sector. A Sansei and a native of Southern California, he has written for UCLA and the Japanese American National Museum, where he serves as a volunteer. He currently works in fundraising and external relations for Art Center College of Design.

I love exploring all things Japanese & Japanese American in Los Angeles! Got news? Post it to Discover Nikkei!

The mission of the UCLA Nikkei Student Union (NSU) is to organize social and community service activities as well as to promote Japanese-American cultural and political awareness among the student body. Established in 1981, NSU at UCLA will celebrate 30 years of Nikkei legacy this upcoming January 21, 2012. WEB: www.nikkeibruins.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/172264526190575/ (Nikkei Student Union at UCLA) Twitter: ucla_nikkei