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Works in Progress

Black man holding a protest sign that says, "Do I look jovial and…" in the 60s Civil Rights movement

My family’s multiracial, multicultural history is rich fodder for uniquely American tales. I now have the time to chronicle our experiences and explore the stories of my family’s immigrant past, African American roots, and our political and social activism over the years. As insights or projects develop, I will post updates here. I am looking forward to seeing what emerges from this process!

Portrait of a black woman with short hair. She wears a white blouse and a black jacket.

Viola Gibson

When my grandmother was inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame in 2017, I started to think more deeply about who Viola Gibson was and her impact on our family and community.
50s black-and-white image of 3 Japanese young women seated at a restaurant table smiling at the camera.

The Three Tamori Sisters

While my grandmother had an abiding and fundamental influence on who I am, my mother was my heart — and the soul of my immediate family.