Freshman applications must be submitted directly by the applicant to National JACL through the online form, accessible using the link below, no later than March 6, 2023, 11:59pm Hawaiian Standard Time. All those applying to the National JACL Scholarship Program must be a youth/student or individual member of the JACL; a couple/family membership held by a parent does NOT meet this requirement. Applicants must be enrolled in a school in Fall 2023 in order to be eligible for a scholarship.
Note: This is NOT the 2023 St. Louis JACL Scholarship Program, which is a separate application process that will open later in 2023. Applicants are permitted to apply separately to both programs.
SORRY, NO WALK-INS WITHOUT A RESERVATION WILL BE ALLOWED. WE HAVE REACHED CAPACITY FOR THIS EVENT.
The Day of Remembrance recognizes the anniversary of issuing of President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066, which resulted in the wrongful incarceration of Japanese Americans in 1942. The St. Louis JACL will be hosting a Day of Remembrance Event at The Lodge in Des Peres, Missouri on Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 12:30 pm. The guest for this program is actor/director/producer Lane Nishikawa of Los Angeles, California. Sandwich/salad box lunch will be provided and RSVP is required by February 13 to wendycroll@gmail.com because capacity is limited.
Mr. Nishikawa will present “From Hawaii to Hollywood” and share his 45-year journey as a writer, actor, theater and film producer and director, performance artist and activist. He is known for “Only the Brave,” his movie about the all Japanese American 442nd Battalion during World War II, is currently working on projects related to the history of JACL and the recent rise in Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) hate.
Mr. Lane Nishikawa has been in film, television and theatrical industries for over thirty-five years. His dramatic feature film, Only the Brave, appeared in over 18 film festivals, internationally, screened in over 25 cities across the U.S., broadcast on National PBS, SHOWTIME Television, Armed Forces Network, and distributed to over 15 countries worldwide. He was Artistic Director of the Asian American Theater Company in San Francisco, for ten seasons, before forming Mission From Buddha Productions, a film and theater production company, which he ran for 14 years. His new company, West River Productions, just completed production with is new documentary feature film, Our Lost Years, a comprehensive examination of the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. The link below will provide the access to West River Production and its products.
Violinist Aska Kaneko Maret and harpist Amy Camie’s Duo Concert “Dreams of Love: A Healing Concert for the Body, Mind & Soul” is coming to Webster Hills United Methodist Church, 698 West Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves, Missouri 63119 at 2:00 pm. General admission is $15 at the door. Co-sponsored by Japan America Society of St. Louis and Japan America Society Women’s Association.
The St. Louis JACL held its Holiday Social at Vangel’s Restaurant in Rock Hill, Missouri on December 8, 2022. There was a nice group of attendees that had an enjoyable evening together! We were honored to have Kristina Le, President of the St. Louis Vietnamese Community, and Thong Tarm, President of the St. Louis Chapter of OCA, join us in our “meet and greet.” The JACL wishes everyone a healthy, joyous holiday season and all the best in the new year.
Join us for a Holiday Social at 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm on December 8, 2022 at Vangel’s Restaurant and Bar. RSVP to Edie Quick is required. Appetizers and drinks will be provided.
The St. Louis Chapter of the JACL was host for the 2022 Midwest District Council (MDC) Fall Meeting from October 7-8. St. Louis was honored to have two excellent speakers: Michelle Li, St. Louis NBC affiliate, KSDK, Morning Anchor and founder of Very Asian Foundation, and Sela Masaki, Ladue Watkins High School student. Eleven out-of-towners attended our conference and the Hamamura’s made beautiful sushi for our reception. JACL chapters in the MDC include: Chicago, Cincinnati, Dayton, Detroit, Hoosier, Houston, Omaha, St. Louis, Twin Cities, Wisconsin
During the Friday Reception, MDC 2nd Vice Governor and St. Louis Chapter Vice President – Finance, Steven Mitori, was awarded the JACL Sapphire Pin from MDC Governor Eric Langowski for over 10 years of service to JACL at national, district, and chapter levels of the organization.
Long time St. Louis JACL member Asako Morioka passed away on October 2, 2022 at age 99 at her home in Prospect, KY. Ms. Morioka was a former JACL Board Member, teacher of Ikebana, and contributor to the Nisei Kitchen cookbook. Please send memorial gifts in honor of Asako to Hosparus, 6200 Dutchmans Ln, Louisville, KY 40205.
Join the St. Louis Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) in participating at the 2022 Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, during September 3-5, 2022. Please visit the JACL Soda Tent near the Cohen Ampitheater and say hello! The St. Louis JACL is a registered sponsor of the Japanese Festival.
The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Young Professionals Caucus (YPC) is posting stories about people doing important work at their jobs and communities on the “Speaking Nikkei” podcast platform. Please join to find out more about these young leaders!
St. Louis JACL is excited to host delegates from JACL chapters in the Midwest to the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac, 1335 S. Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63131 on October 7-9, 2022 for the Midwest District Council (MDC) Fall Meeting. On October 7 a private reception will be held for MDC attendees. On October 8 the MDC Fall Meeting will be held in the Dauphin Meeting Room from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. On October 9 there will be transportation from St. Louis JACL members to help attendees travel to sightseeing destinations (St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Art Museum, Gateway Arch) in St. Louis. Registration is $25 and is due by September 23, 2022. Contact Bum Kim at gbummer@gmail.com or Steve Mitori at stlsamurai@gmail.com for more details.
St. Louis JACL 