RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Library of Virginia will present a free noon talk on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, by Virginia Humanities director of education Emma Ito on “Between Roots & Rivers: Japanese Immigrant and Japanese American Journeys in Virginia.” Registration for the program is required at https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/16658151.

Ito will explore the lived experiences of Japanese immigrants in Virginia across generations, blending archival photographs, primary documents, timelines and narrative snapshots. Emphasizing themes of citizenship, labor, identity, resilience and belonging, Ito will expand on how these experiences are deeply intertwined with Virginia’s past and present.

At Virginia Humanities, Ito is responsible for the development, coordination and implementation of educational resources for K-12 students, college students, teachers and lifelong learners. She is an adjunct professor in the Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College. She writes and speaks on the experiences of Japanese immigrants and Japanese Americans in Virginia, with a focus on the time periods of Jim Crow and World War II.

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