On June 18, members of the USJC Midwest region had the opportunity to meet with President & CEO Audrey Yamamoto in Chicago. Chicago-based Japanese American historian Erik Matsunaga led participants on a tour of Clark & Division, made famous in Naomi Hirahara’s eponymous book, one of two areas of the city many people settled in upon release from the Japanese American incarceration.
Participants gathered at Konbini & Kanpai for conversation, libations and dinner generously hosted by Council Leader Naomi Hattori (Choose Chicago, ELP ’19), her husband Jun-Jun Vivhaikul and her brother, USJC Associate and chef Eric Hattori (Piko Street Kitchen, ELP 2018).