JACL Concludes its 2025 National Convention in Albuquerque
July 30, 2025
For Immediate Release
From July 17 to 20, JACL hosted its 55th National Convention, “Voices in Unity,” for the first time in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Additionally, for the first time, this convention featured no national council sessions, allowing attendees to fully focus and participate in the multitude of workshops and plenaries offered. This year’s workshops focused on themes of advocating for the community, knowing the community, and investing in the community.
With the new setup of this year’s convention, the week opened with our first workshop block, featuring sessions on Japanese American history in New Mexico and the surrounding region, as well as an advocacy 101 training. The night concluded with our usual welcome reception, this time at the historic Casa Esencia, an 18th-century hacienda located on the grounds of Hotel Albuquerque.
Our second and third days were filled with more exciting workshops, plenaries, and film screenings. Sessions this year focused on oral traditions and storytelling, advocacy and action, our fight against the Alien Enemies Act, and more. Our films this year showcased the work the community put into creating the Santa Fe Memorial Marker, the lifelong advocacy of artist Nobuko Miyamoto, and a screening of The Blue Jay, a short film set in the Poston concentration camp.
On Friday, our JACL National Youth/Student Council (NY/SC) held its biennial Youth Awards Luncheon, showcasing the work our youth membership has undertaken in the last 2 years. The NY/SC’s Vision Award this year was given to Austin Fujii, who, alongside his mother, has been taking an active effort against the Alien Enemies Act, especially among youth members.
The Sayonara Gala took place on the evening of Saturday, July 19, and was emceed by Seia Watanabe, JACL National VP of Public Affairs. The program featured a performance by celebrated musical artist and activist Nobuko Miyamoto, who led attendees in dancing, Bambutsu no Tsunagari, her take on traditional Japanese bon odori dancing. The annual Sayonara Gala also provides JACL with the opportunity to honor individuals for their achievements and contributions to the Asian American Community.
This year’s awardees included recipients of the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the newly created Robert Emmet Fletcher, Jr. Humanitarian Award. The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Leo Akira Yoshimura, art director for Saturday Night Live and the only member who has been with SNL for all 50 years of its production. His remarks thanked the Japanese American community for this recognition, one which he never expected, but also said it is an honor he will never forget.
The Robert Emmet Fletcher, Jr. Humanitarian Award was presented to Dr. Carol Folt, former president of the University of Southern California. Dr. Folt was recognized for her part in bestowing degrees to several dozen Nisei students and their families who were denied their education because of their incarceration during WWII. In her remarks, Dr. Folt thanked the community for their continued efforts in ensuring the story of the Nisei students is never forgotten and was honored to be in a position to change the university’s policy, which had previously blocked attempts to award degrees to the Nisei.
JACL is grateful for the support of all of our convention sponsors: State Farm Insurance, Comcast, AARP, Verizon, the Motion Picture Association, Compassion and Choices, US Bank, the JACL Credit Union, Caesars Entertainment, The Japanese American National Museum, Keiro, The New Mexico Tea Company, and Pepsi
We also want to extend our gratitude to our JACL National Staff, National Board, the New Mexico JACL chapter, our convention consultants, all our volunteers, guest speakers, and attendees for making this year’s convention exceptional!
We’ll see everyone next year in Las Vegas, July 29 through August 2, 2026!
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The Japanese American Citizens League is a national organization whose ongoing mission is to secure and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others who are victimized by injustice and bigotry. The leaders and members of the JACL also work to promote cultural, educational, and social values and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American community.
