Japanese American Citizens League Cleveland Chapter

The Japanese American Citizens League Cleveland Chapter serves the Richfield, OH community as the nation's oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization dedicated to advancing human and civil rights. Since its founding in 1929, JACL has established itself as a powerful advocacy force, successfully helping to overturn more than 600 discriminatory laws and statutes throughout American history. The Cleveland Chapter operates as part of JACL's extensive network of 112 chapters across 26 states, providing comprehensive civil rights advocacy and community programming. The organization specializes in addressing critical issues including immigration reform, civil liberties protection, hate crime prevention, and the preservation of Japanese American cultural heritage. JACL's track record includes landmark achievements such as founding membership in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights in 1948, instrumental advocacy for the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 which provided redress for World War II internment, and ongoing leadership in the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians. The Cleveland Chapter offers scholarship programs, cultural events including traditional Japanese dance performances, and educational initiatives that connect community members to their heritage while advancing civil rights awareness. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, JACL maintains professional staff and resources to effectively address both national policy issues and local community needs affecting Japanese Americans and other Asian Americans in the Richfield area.