On April 17, the Shin-Issei Affinity Group focused its quarterly networking event on alumni of the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) with shin-issei backgrounds. Moderated by Steering Committee member Yuko Watanabe (ELP ’17), speakers Alexis Ayano Terai (ELP ‘18), Fumi Maher (ELP ‘22) and Shohei Narron (ELP ‘24) shared their life stories and discussed how to add unique value to the U.S.-Japan relationship as a bilingual and bicultural community. As the discussion proceeded, participants kept up a lively chat in the background reacting to the speakers and offering their own thoughts.
The Shin-Issei Affinity Group hosts quarterly Zoom networking events focused on topics relevant to our identity as the newest Japanese Americans. Certain events are open to Shin-Issei members who are not yet part of USJC, allowing them to learn more about the organization. Other Shin-Issei programs, including networking events, the Shin-Issei Connection, and student outreach opportunities, are exclusively for USJC members. For questions, please contact the Shin-Issei Steering Committee at [email protected].