Bio
Esther Churchwell is the Membership Chair for NMJACL & the Editor of the organization’s newsletter, The Sagebrush Shinbun.
During the year, & for many years, she has served as our Program Coordinator, responsible for finding the talent & commitment within NM to participate in AkiMatsuri either on the Main Stage or in a booth. Additionally, on the morning of the festival Esther & a team of dedicated volunteers prepare a significant amount of traditional foods for sale that day.
At the festival, she staffs the Membership Booth with another team of volunteers who, under her leadership, answer membership & information queries, manage souvenir sales (posters, T- shirts, etc.), & the “Ginza Table,” where previously-owned items that are mainly, but not exclusively, Japanese, ranging from clothing & accessories to books, are sold.
She also performs on the Main Stage with the Okinawan Folk Dance group, having been a member of the Miyagi Ryu Okinawa Dancers for 9 years.
Background
She has a master’s degree in counseling and is a recently retired disability adjudicator for the State of New Mexico. Her other community involvement include having been on the board of directors for the Asian American Association of NM, and of the Duke City Aquatics. Lately, she is a member of the JACL Players who have been bringing presentations of Readers Theater to sites throughout the state of NM that have had connections to the WWII experience e of Japanese Americans.
Meet the Team
Each member of the NMJACL Board offers a unique perspective and toolset which makes NMJACL such a well-rounded organization aiming to make a positive impact in the community.
Esther Churchwell
Membership Chair/Editor of the Sagebrush Newsletter
Calvin Kobayashi
NMJACL TREASURER
Jennifer Yazawa
NMJACL Grant Writer
Nikki Nojima Louis
NMJACL Chair of Special Projects
Cynthia Grady
NMJACL Secretary/ Art Coordinator
Aiko Allen
Special Projects/ Grant Writer
More Info
Learn more about non-profit organization NMJACL and all the upcoming events and special projects that are happening. We are always looking for future members and volunteers to help in our efforts to improve our community.