Asian Persuasion is a five-member Asian American vocal harmony group. They sing favorite songs from doo-wop, Motown, and pop songs of the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. Kenny Itagaki and Gary Asamura started the group over 40 years ago with Jeff Louie, Marlene Yamane Chao, and Helen Ota completing the group today. They invite their audiences to join them in bringing back the classic sights, sounds, and memories of those “oldies but goodies” of their youth.

Makoto Taiko is a Pasadena-based nonprofit organization whose goal is to connect and empower people of all backgrounds through taiko classes, workshops, and performances to inspire artistic creativity and greater cultural understanding in our community. Makoto Taiko welcomes people of all ages, cultural background, faiths, and gender identities. Their Taiko for Older Adults program offers a fun, energizing, mentally-stimulating, and interactive weekly activity for those 65+. They also offer taiko workshops and performances to senior residential facilities.

Established in 1983, the Nishi Center provides day care services for preschool to kindergarten aged children from two to six years old. The school was established for the Nikkei/Buddhist community in order to:

• Provide an early childhood education that prepare the child academically and emotionally for the entry in the elementary school system
• Cultivate a sense of and familiarity with Buddhist teachings.

Sakura Gardens Ukulele is a kanikapila group comprised of residents and volunteers that meets once a month to play ukulele and sing hawaiian songs. The group was founded in 2014 by Kensuke Yoshihara and Paul Tokuda with Pearl Tokuda leading the group starting in 2022.

Ukuleles for Little Tokyo is geared towards engaging Japanese and Japanese American older adults while providing free ukulele instruction in Japanese and English. By providing in-language services, they also help break down cultural barriers and provide a space where participants can feel welcome and at home at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center and Little Tokyo.

Toyo Miyatake Studio was started by Toyo Miyatake, photographer, acquired his studio in 1923 in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, CA. Along with businesses in LT they created the Nisei Week event to attract the local community to be aware of the business community they developed. His son, Archie and the Nisei generation followed suit adding the second generation’s ideas and culture. Archie’s son, Alan started working for the family business and quickly was involved in community events. Alan, along with his daughter Sydney continues the tradition into the fourth generation. Toyo Miyatake is celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2023 by being honored to photograph 4 generations of families in Southern California area.

Nadeshikokai, founded in 2011, is a volunteer organization and NPO 501(c)(3) promoting Japanese culture and traditions. Kimono culture has more than 1,000 years of history in Japan. The Nadeshikokai organizes workshops and events throughout the year to showcase the beauty of kimono as well as Japanese traditional culture.  Nadeshikokai activities include lectures on kimono and kimono-dressing demonstrations, presentations of kimono culture at schools and libraries.  Nadeshikokai has been hosting the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, a long-held tradition in Japan celebrating those reaching adulthood, every year in January since 2013 in Los Angeles, CA. Its membership is open to anyone with volunteering spirits.