Asian American Coalition Celebrates 40 Years of United Leadership and Service to the Community
Shimojima and Olszewski Awarded for Their Contributions
The Vietnamese American Community presents its traditional dance.
The Asian American Coalition Chicago (AACC) celebrated its 40th anniversary and Lunar New Year on February 18 at Hyatt Regency O’Hare, and about 1,000 Asian-community members participated. The celebration has been held to strengthen Asian Americans’ presence and offered a gathering opportunity to unite different Asian communities.
This year, the Vietnamese American Community hosted the celebration. At the venue, Education and Business Forum were set, Interfaith and Thanksgiving Prayer were offered in the afternoon followed by Lunar New Year Gala in the evening. A variety of Asian communities introduced many cultural and musical programs in the Gala to share their own cultures with all the participants.
Next Year, the Japanese American Community will host the AACC’s 41st celebration. Your participation will make a strong impact on the celebration.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker greets at AACC’s Gala.
In his greeting remarks, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker welcomed all the participants, who gathered for the 40th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration, and said, “This occasion offers an exciting opportunity for everyone in attendance to join fellow members of your association and generate bright new plans and ideas for the future. I am grateful for all the ways your organization has helped make Illinois a more inclusive and enjoyable place.”
Governor Pritzker applauded the Vietnamese American Community to lead the gathering event and said, “We celebrate each different Asian community across the Midwest. Illinois is a place where all our people can thrive, no matter where they call home.”
At the beginning of the Lunar New Year, the Governor told the audience, “The New Year is an exciting opportunity to reflect on your accomplishments and make plans for the future of your association that will build on your past successes. Our state’s tremendous diversity is our greatest strength, and I am proud to be governor of a state that celebrates so many dedicated members of the community.”
Every year, AACC awards community members who made significant contributions. This year, Anne Shimojima and Michael James Ichiro Olszewski from the Japanese American Community received Exemplary Community Service Award and Youth Who Excels Award respectively.
Anne Shimojima:
Exemplary Community Service Awards
For the past forty years, Anne Shimojima’s professional storytelling and work as an elementary school librarian have introduced Japanese and Japanese American culture and history to students and adults.
Since 2007 her story, “Hidden Memory: An American World War II Story,” has introduced her family’s immigration and incarceration story in nine states, Washington D.C., and Tokyo, Japan, where she was a guest of the Japanese government.
She has been a member of Chicago JACL’s Our Story committee since its inception and has performed Hidden Memory several times for Our Story.
As part of Asian American Storytellers in Action she is a volunteer editor for the YouTube channel, “Asian American Storytopia,” introducing Asian stories and culture to elementary school children, an effort to fight anti-Asian violence.
Michael James Ichiro Olszewski (L) and Anne Shimojima (R) pose for a commemorative photo with Consul General Hiroshi Tajima
In 2020, she was awarded the Foreign Minister’s Commendation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan, for contributions to promote friendship between Japan and the United States.
In 2022, she was again recognized by the government of Japan with the conferment of the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays.
Michael James (MJ) Ichiro Olszewski
Youth Who Excels Award
Quick with a smile and a helping hand, Michael James (MJ) Ichiro Olszewski has a big heart for his loved ones and American Community. An alumnus of Jamieson Elementary, MJ is currently a junior at Amundsen High School, where he studied the Japanese language for two years and is carrying a challenging workload of honors classes. He enjoys playing basketball in his spare time, and hopes to pursue a career in sports media.
MJ volunteers as a youth basketball coach at the Sansei-Yonsei Athletic Association, where he shares his love of the sport with children aged five and up and dedicates his time at various Association fundraisers setting up and serving meals.
He also enjoys other types of American Community service activities that honor and support his American Community, such as putting down flags and beautifying Montrose Cemetery for Memorial Day, or packing meals at Feed My Starving Children events.