ABOUT KIZUNA
WHO ARE WE
Kizuna is a community-based nonprofit organization in Little Tokyo. We provide cultural programs to educate, empower, and engage the next generation of community leaders. We educate our participants on Japanese American culture and heritage and remain open to anyone who is interested in learning more about our community.
Founded in 2011, our organization has engaged over 7,000 youth and young adults through our Program Pipeline from age seven through adulthood to learn and connect with our community. Kizuna continues to grow and expand its Program Pipeline to serve new audiences throughout Southern California.
HOW WE STARTED
In 2011, Kristin Fukushima, Sen Sugano, and Stacy Toyota – along with the leadership of founding Executive Director, Craig Ishii, formed Kizuna with the mission to create a space for the next generation of leaders. Since the beginning, Kizuna has been the answer in the Japanese American community to the question, “Where is the next generation?”
We are proud to continue this legacy as we connect youth with their cultural and community identities, empower college students to take on leadership opportunities, and develop change-makers to serve at the highest levels of organizational leadership
OUR MISSION
Kizuna's mission is to build a future for our community through the education, empowerment, and engagement of the next generation.
OUR CORE VALUES
Kizuna believes with these core values we can build the next generation of strong leaders for the community.
CARING
With the value of caring, we stress the importance of respect and empathy for others, as well as maintaining one's own well-being.
GIVING
Our curriculums focus on teaching our participants about the importance of gratitude, appreciation, and the philanthropic giving of time, talents, and treasures back to the community.
RESPONSIBILITY
Participants learn the value of responsibility for themselves and towards others. We focus on teaching values such as accountability, ethics, and commitment to others.
GROWTH
We define growth as a commitment to lifelong learning, gaining new experiences, and continuously striving to be better.
THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE IT HAPPEN
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board Chair
Eric Komatsu
Vice-Chair
Nina Takenouchi
Secretary
Terra-Lynn Tokiwa
Treasurer
Chase Nishida
Board-at-Large
Candice Shikai
Robin Olson
Bryce Ikemura
Ally Oishi
Desiree Tanimura
Kelli Tademaru
Maya Hernandez, Ph.D.
STAFF
Executive Director
Chris Fitzgerald
chris@gokizuna.org
Programs Coordinator
Alan Takashi Riley
alan@gokizuna.org
Development & Administrative Coordinator
Miki Matsumoto
miki@gokizuna.org
Communications Coordinator
Kali Ayumi Kishi
kali@gokizuna.org
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Henry Ota
Sandy Sakamoto
Bill Seki
Bryan Takeda
Craig Tomiyoshi
Diane Ujiiye
Deputy Chief Dave Yamahata (Ret.)
Debra Nakatomi
Deborah F. Ching
James Choi
Gerald Fukui
Warren T. Furutani
Deputy Chief Terry Hara (Ret.)
Noelle Ito
Jessica Kikuchi
Kathy Masaoka
Daren Mooko
PHOTOS OF KIZUNA
Looking to get a clearer picture of what Kizuna does throughout the year? View our photo stream to get a glimpse into our programs and activities
