Women of Fire: Japanese American Women in Business

1231 Good Hope Road Southeast,Washington DC 20020

14 April, 2022

Description

Celebrate Japanese American women making waves in the Capital Region. As we all gather to celebrate the 110th Cherry Blossom Festival, it’s important to celebrate the nuanced journeys of Japanese American women making strides as entrepreneurs. Join us for a special fireside chat series with special guests: Reiko Hirai, owner of D.C. Sake cō, and Tomomi Miyajima, owner of Tokiya Japan. These two ladies have a wealth of knowledge to share about their triumphs and challenges as Japanese Americans running successful businesses in the Capital Region. Reiko and Tomomi will reflect on the following: The influence Japanese culture has had on their view of the world and growth of their businesses Tricks of the trade learned throughout their journeys Hopes for the future of AAPI owned businesses Join us promptly after the panel discussion for a Sake tasting session sponsored by the Anacostia Bid and Sake Co. The Women of Fire Fireside Chat Series is hosted by Wacif Chief Program Officer Kimberly Gayle. The Enterprising Women of Color District, Maryland, Virginia (DMV) Business Center (Center) fosters and supports a small business ecosystem for women of color in the National Capital Region. The Center’s robust business services—including financial capital, business advisory services, and networking support—are dedicated to supporting the growth and resiliency of our clients. This Center is powered by the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif), which has served women entrepreneurs of color since 1987, and is made possible through a partnership with the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). Reach out to get started on your entrepreneurial journey. This program is brought to you by the Enterprising Women of Color DMV Business Center, Anacostia Arts Center, The Anacostia BID, The Asian American Chamber of Commerce, The Japan-America Society of Washington DC, The National Cherry Blossom Festival and WACIF. D.C. Sake cō. was founded in 2020 by Reiko Hirai, a Japanese woman who grew up in Kyoto, Japan. Reiko has lived in the DC area for 20+ years, where she created her own event management and consulting business in 2006. Through her work, Reiko serves as a liaison between Japanese and U.S. businesses, where she gets to utilize her passion for introducing people to new cultural experiences each day. Tomomi runs a small business in DC that deals with Kimono, Pottery and Japanese Art, all handcrafted by emerging and seasoned artists in Japan and DC. Her primary goal is to promote and preserve the craftsmanship and cultural heritage from her hometown Toki, Gifu where the local pottery making (Minoyaki) was started during the 7th century, about 1300 years ago. The Anacostia Business Improvement District (BID) was established in 2012 and supplements existing DC government services and programs, enhances street cleaning, sponsors special events, and advocates on behalf of stakeholders. Our goal is simple: to maintain a thriving, safe, clean and vibrant commercial and arts district. The BID comprises thirty square blocks and plays a crucial role in increasing and managing public and private investment within our borders. The Anacostia BID is a registered 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. Sake, also spelled saké, is an alcoholic beverage of Japanese origin made by fermenting rice that has been polished to remove the bran. Join us for a special Sake tasting and networking hour from DC Sake CO and The Anacostia Bid at the conclusion of the fireside chat. The mission of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) is to encourage, facilitate and support the economic growth and sustainability of the greater Washington area community by building bridges and serving as a resource for the APA business community. AACC achieves this mission through business networking programs, summits, expos, business development workshops, seminars, and other special programs and events. Washington has been at the center of the US-Japan relationship for over 150 years. But it was only in 1957 that a group of US State Department officers got together privately with friends at the Japanese Embassy and established the Japan-America Society of Washington DC. Their goal was to add a personal face to Washington’s official relationship with Japan and create a people-to-people organization.