Mari Yamagiwa is a 4th-generation Japanese American, descendant of WWII incarcerees, and lifelong Chicagoan. Mari has a background in trauma-informed mental health care and is passionate about storytelling and community healing. This framework continues to guide the way she engages in all areas of her life. She has worked in Chicago-area AAPI communities for several years specifically through her roles at the Chicago Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago. At these organizations she focused on areas of education, civil rights, and leadership development. She continues to support local efforts of solidarity and coalition building between communities of color.