Portland JACL

It was very touching hearing the story of Portland's Chinatown which was created because of redlining. A vibrant community developed with many Chinese businesses. Prior to becoming Chinatown it had been called Nihonmachi or Japantown which was vacated by the Japanese in May 1942. The program was developed by Roberta Wong and Dame Roberts of MediaRites.

Learn how taiko can send a powerful message of resistance and hope.

'Loud and Powerful': Taiko drummers link tradition, identity and activism in Seattle Local performers in Seattle highlight taiko drumming as a powerful symbol of cultural resilience, identity, and solidarity.

Learn about how the black community was impacted by government sponsored housing policies.

Pints from the Past: Displacing Black Portland - A History of Housing Discrimination | City of Lake Oswego Join us for another Pints from the Past Program at the Lake Theater & Cafe! This month's discussions is presented by Mariah Rocker with the Oregon Black Pioneers, titled 'Displacing Black Portland: A History of Housing Discrimination.'

Having fun learning stories through song. Thank you Portland Taiko for helping bring Eth-No-Tec to Portland

Memorial Day is a time to remember those that have passed. There was a memorial at Lone Fir Cemetery to honor the early Issei that are buried close to the Chinese section. My parents are at Whilhem's overlooking Oaks Bottom Wetlands. At the Japanese American Cemetery we recognized the Nisei and Sansei soldiers who died in battle. This year the Henjyoji Family shared stories about Grant who had been a champion wrestler. His participation as a contestant on the US Olympic Team paved the way for his deployment to Vietnam.

A Grain of Sand, Revisited brings music, memory, and Asian American storytelling across generations. June 7, 2pm at Alberta Rose Theatre. Tickets and more at resonancechoral.org

Please join us for this special opportunity.

Councilor Tiffany Koyama-Lane was the keynote speaker for the Japanese American Graduation Banquet this year. Photo by Rich Iwasaki.

Portland JACL co-president Jeff Matsumoto (l) leads a group walk to Terry Shrunk Plaza following the Mother’s Day March event at the Japanese American Historical Plaza. Photo by Rich Iwasaki.

The Portland JACL co-sponsored with APANO Jon Osaki's film, "Making Waves" which tells the story of the struggle to get Asian American studies into school curriculums. Thank you Jon for giving Portland audiences the opportunity to see your latest work.