Videos


2017

GALA DETAILS

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites

404 S. Figueroa Street

Los Angeles, CA, 90071

Watch videos from the 2017 Gala Dinner program, including the tribute videos for the evening’s honorees and speeches by the honorees and JANM President and CEO Ann Burroughs.

Tribute to Irene Hirano Inouye

Body

Irene Hirano Inouye was appointed Executive Director of the Japanese American National Museum in 1988, as it was preparing to restore the former Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple as the museum’s first home. She also oversaw the construction and opening of the museum’s current Pavilion building in 1999, and led JANM through its early establishment until her departure in 2009. She is currently President of the U.S.–Japan Council. She was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

2017 JANM Gala: Tribute to Irene Hirano Inouye

2017 JANM Gala: Tribute to Irene Hirano Inouye

Lifetime Achievement Award: Irene Hirano Inouye

Body

Irene Hirano Inouye was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. In her accepting her award, she reflected on the early days of the museum and the many individuals who worked to make it a success.

2017 JANM Gala: Irene Hirano Inouye

2017 JANM Gala: Irene Hirano Inouye

Tribute to Bruce Kaji

Body

Bruce T. Kaji was Chairman and President of Merit Savings Bank when he led a group of local businessmen seeking to create a museum in the 1980s. He recruited volunteers and persuaded public officials to support the cause of building the Japanese American National Museum. His ability to bring people together was integral to the founding of the institution and set the tone of collaboration that continues to be a hallmark of the museum. Kaji was presented with the Legacy Award.

 

2017 JANM Gala: Tribute to Bruce Kaji

2017 JANM Gala: Tribute to Bruce Kaji

Legacy Award: Bruce Kaji

Body

Bruce T. Kaji was presented with the Legacy Award. He spoke on stage about building the museum and its importance for future generations.

2017 JANM Gala: Bruce Kaji

2017 JANM Gala: Bruce Kaji

Tribute to Tom Ikeda

Body

Tom Ikeda is the founding Executive Director of Densho, which uses digital technology to preserve and make accessible primary source materials on the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans. Densho presents these materials and related resources for their historic value and as a means of exploring issues of democracy, intolerance, wartime hysteria, civil rights and the responsibilities of citizenship in our increasingly global society. Ikeda was presented with the Founders’ Award.

2017 JANM Gala: Tribute to Tom Ikeda

2017 JANM Gala: Tribute to Tom Ikeda

Founders’ Award: Tom Ikeda

Body

Tom Ikeda was presented with the Founders’ Award. In accepting his award, he spoke about the creation of Densho and the continuing relevance of the work of JANM and Densho today.

2017 JANM Gala: Tom Ikeda

2017 JANM Gala: Tom Ikeda

Ann Burroughs

Body

JANM President and CEO Ann Burroughs spoke about the current exhibitions Instructions to All Persons: Reflections on Executive Order 9066 and New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei, and why the work of the museum is so vital.

2017 JANM Gala: Ann Burroughs

2017 JANM Gala: Ann Burroughs