Little Tokyo Breakfast Club

Miya Iwataki’s lifelong cultural and political activism are reflected in her poetry, writing, radio programs, and community projects – beginning with JACS-Asian Involvement office in the Sun Building on Weller Street in Little Tokyo in the 60s-70s. She was Director of the first Asian Women’s Center in the early 70s. An Asian women and healthcare activist, she was sponsored by the United Nations NGO (Non-Governmental Organizations) to the UN Decade for Women Convention in Nairobi; and was part of an early Women’s Healthcare Delegation to China. She co-authored the first study on cultural barriers to women’s health care researching traditions, beliefs and practices in eight AAPI communities. As Director of Office of Diversity Programs, she was architect of the diversity and cultural competency infrastructure for LA County Health Department.

Miya was a founding member of National Coalition for Redress/Reparations (NCRR), which led the grassroots campaign for Japanese American Redress/Reparations. She also worked as National Press Secretary for Congressman Mervyn Dymally, a staunch supporter of JA Redress, chair of Congressional Black Caucus, and a mentor. She is now a member of Nikkei Progressives/NCRR Reparations Coalition continuing the fight to win Reparations for Black Americans.

In media, Miya covered JA and AAPI issues and culture as host/producer of East Wind on KPFK-FM Pacifica Radio; and worked at KCET-TV on the VISIONS Drama series. Miya’s poetry has been published; she has been a columnist for Rafu Shimpo and the Tozai Times .

Miya is Vice President of the Little Tokyo Historical Society which celebrates their 20th anniversary in 2026. She is a proud Board member of Little Tokyo Community Impact Fund, a community-oriented real estate investment fund which just purchased building on First Street North. Miya is grateful to be working with community members committed to honoring and preserving the history, legacy and cultural soul of Little Tokyo in the face of gentrification.

Steve Nagano is a Little Tokyo resident, and has been involved with a number of community organizations and events. As a filmmaker he has shown his film shorts annually in the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and various community organizations. Since 2011 he has been a board member of the Neighborhood Council. He has done extensive work on the preservation of the testimonies of incarcerees before the Commission WRIC (CWRIC). He has been a key organizer of the Little Tokyo Sparkle, the community-wide cleanup. 

Jane Matsumoto is the former Executive Culinary Arts Director at JACCC, retiring in late 2024. Jane has worked for more than 25 years in public service. She played a key role in major projects like implementing the TAP smart card system for public transportation, but her true passion lies in the culinary arts.

Jane is deeply inspired by the history, science, and preparation of global cuisines—especially Washoku, the traditional food of Japan. Outside the kitchen, she’s often exploring food blogs, diving into cookbooks, traveling, or hiking local trails.

Born and raised in Southern California, Gary returned to the area in 2022 after spending almost thirty years in Hawaii. A graduate of the University of Southern California and the Kapiolani Community College Culinary Arts program, his experience in food and beverage runs the gamut of the industry. Training and progressing in the kitchen at Alan Wong’s Honolulu, he has also served as a Chef de Cuisine, Executive Chef, General Manager, Food & Beverage Director, and consultant, across a spectrum of different properties.