The confab will feature timely discussions on civil rights, immigration, reparations,
youth leadership, historic preservation and a special performance by Asian American band SLANT.
The Japanese American Citizens League will welcome members, community leaders, advocates, educators, students and supporters from across the country to its 2026 National Convention, set for July 29-Aug. 2 at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.
This year’s theme, “Reigniting Our Purpose and Mission,” will feature five days of dynamic programming exploring the most-pressing issues facing Japanese Americans, Asian Americans and broader communities committed to civil rights, democracy and social justice.
Among the convention’s featured plenary sessions is “Preserving Incarceration Sites: Fifty Years of Healing (1976-2026),” which commemorates the 50th anniversary of President Gerald Ford’s revocation of Executive Order 9066.
The session will examine decades of work to preserve and interpret Japanese American incarceration sites and discuss how these stories can continue to educate and inspire future generations as the nation observes America’s 250th anniversary.
Another major plenary, “Standing Against Xenophobia, Standing With Refugees and Migrants,” will bring together experts in civil rights, immigration policy and community advocacy to discuss current challenges facing refugees, migrants and international students.
The panel will explore practical actions that individuals, chapters and organizations can take to support vulnerable communities and defend civil liberties.
The convention’s workshop program will provide attendees with opportunities to engage in conversations spanning history, civic engagement, education, leadership development and community empowerment.
Highlighted sessions include:
- “Echoes of Incarceration: How Camp Memories Shape Generations,” exploring how the experiences of wartime incarceration continue to influence descendants and inspire community leadership and activism.
- “Designing Youth Leadership: Insights for Community and Institutional Engagement,” offering practical strategies for cultivating youth participation and building sustainable leadership pipelines within community organizations.
- “Fighting for Our Stories: Educating the Next Generation,” featuring a screening and discussion of the award-winning documentary “Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America” and examining current challenges facing ethnic studies education.
- “The Nevada Nikkei: Reigniting Through WWII and Beyond,” showcasing the history of Japanese Americans in Nevada and the role of the Las Vegas JACL chapter in strengthening the local Nikkei community.
- “Reparations Impossible? Why We Should Care and How We Can Be Allies for Black Reparations,” featuring nationally recognized attorney Don Tamaki and advocates working to build solidarity between Japanese American and Black reparations movements.
- “The Next Chapter: Activating Nikkei Youth Toward Purpose and Action,” a forward-looking conversation focused on engaging younger generations and strengthening the future of Japanese American advocacy organizations.
- “Our Rights, Our Voices: How the 14th Amendment Lives Through Us,” connecting landmark Asian American legal history to contemporary debates over citizenship, constitutional rights and civic participation.
- “Shukatsu: End-of-Life Planning,” providing practical information and culturally relevant resources for advance care planning and dementia directives.
- “CAUSE the Vote: Building Creative Voter Engagement,” highlighting innovative approaches that combine culture, storytelling and civic participation to increase voter engagement in Asian American communities.
- “Newsprint to News Media: JA Newspapers and the History of the Pacific Citizen,” celebrating the legacy of Japanese American journalism and the evolution of the Pacific Citizen into the digital age.
In addition to educational programming, attendees will enjoy networking events, National Council sessions, awards celebrations, youth programming and opportunities to connect with JACL members from across the country.
A special highlight of the convention will take place on Aug. 1, when attendees gather for a live performance by SLANT, the acclaimed Asian American rock band known for its energetic stage presence, original music and commitment to amplifying Asian American voices through the arts. The evening concert will provide an exciting finale to a week of learning, advocacy and community-building.
“The 2026 National Convention is an opportunity to honor our history, confront today’s challenges and invest in the next generation of leaders,” said JACL Executive Director Lilly Simmering. “From preserving the stories of incarceration and advancing civil rights to strengthening youth engagement and celebrating Asian American creativity, this convention embodies JACL’s mission and vision for the future.”
Registration information, hotel details and the complete convention schedule are available at www.jacl.org/convention.