JANM Book Club: The Bridges Yuri Built with Kai Naima Williams

On March 22, 2025, JANM celebrated Women’s History Month and joined author and great-granddaughter of Yuri Kochiyama, Kai Naima Williams for a reading of “The Bridges Yuri Built: How Yuri Kochiyama Marched Across Movements”followed by a conversation about Yuri Kochiyama’s life and legacy with Williams and journalist Lisa Ling.

About the book:
“The Bridges Yuri Built” introduces one of the twentieth century’s most notable freedom fighters to the next generation of young readers. From her concentration camp experiences on the West Coast to organizing for better schools in Harlem, to her close friendship with Malcolm X, Yuri Kochiyama never wavered in her belief in the power of people—especially young people—to bring about social change. Featuring vibrant illustrations by Anastasia Magloire Williams, this book will inspire young readers to embrace Kochiyama’s unswerving belief that together we can build a bridge to a better world.

This program was presented in partnership with the Yuri Kochiyama Solidarity Project.

The JANM Book Club is a series of Public Programs that highlights new publications by Japanese Americans or related to Japanese American history and culture.

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Programs like this are made possible by the generous support of JANM’s members and donors. Become a member (https://janm.org/membership​) or consider making a tax-deductible gift so that we can continue to present more programs and exhibitions like these: https://janm.org/donatenow​. Your support makes a difference. Thank you!

Japanese American National Museum
100 N. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
https://janm.org

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