The East Side Freedom Library, the Twin Cities Japanese American Citizens League, and Tsuru for Solidarity Minnesota invite you to

Mixed-race Japanese American history focuses on white-Japanese families on the west coast. It is far more diverse. The first interracial Japanese American families formed Hawaii, Calfiornia, and Alaska between native Hawaiians and other immigrants, Native Americans, descendants of enslaved people, native Alaskans, and mixed-race people. Many of these families were responsible for preserving languages and cultural practices, and historical knowledge.

This event will include a presentation on Mixed-Race Nikkei by historian Selena Moon, followed by a panel discussion including community members Ayano Nixon and Zara Espinoza. Hosted virtually in partnership with the East Side Freedom Library on the 55th anniversary of the Loving vs. Virginia decision that legalized interracial marriage in the US. American Sign Language interpretation will be offered.

Selena Moon is a Japanese American historian and writer who researches and writes about Japanese American mixed race and disability history. She is writing a middle grade and picture book about disabled Japanese American children in the World War II incarceration camps, which began during her Loft Literary Center Mirrors and Windows fellowship in 2020. She received her BA from Smith College and MA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Through her work with the Free-Thinking Abolitionists Interpreting Racism (FAIR) Collective, which is creating a traveling exhibit to teach children about racism, the Disabled Academic Collective (DAC), and several committees, she is working to make the world a just, safe place for all.

Ayano Nixon is a meditation artist who combines the creative mediums of writing, music, and art with the healing movements of meditation, yoga, and tai chi to express spirit. She creates and teaches in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Ayano received her middle name from her Okinawan mother and her first name Catherine from her African American father’s mother. Ayano and her siblings traveled and lived in Japan and Germany with their military parents before her family finally settled in New Mexico.

Zara Espinoza is a queer nonbinary multi-racial/ethnic/cultural Wonder Woman of Latino-Asian American heritages and a JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) Strategist known for their intersectional thought leadership that is informed by their unique life experiences and holistically human approach to people, culture and community work in global tech, corporate and nonprofit organizations. As an LGBTQ+ changemaker, Zara was the first femme/nonbinary person of the Chicago Leadership Team in the global nonprofit, Out in Tech. Zara also served over 10 years of leadership in international affairs with the Japan Exchange & Teaching (JET) Program and has worked with Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Tsuru for Solidarity, Nikkei Uprising, National Nikkei Reparations Coalition (NNRC), Okaeri LGBTQ+ Nikkei Community, National Diversity Council, Latinas in Tech, Black Tech Jobs, and more.