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The Pioneer's Manuscript: Fieldnotes 001

Updated: 5 hours ago


Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto (Canon A-1, Portra 400 film) Pioneer: James Weldon Johnson


The Pioneer’s Manuscript is a documentary and cultural diplomacy project led in partnership with the National Association for Black Engagement with Asia (NABEA) that strengthens U.S.–Japan relations by documenting historical and contemporary partnerships between Black American pioneers, individuals who have forged new paths and expanded opportunities for others, as well as their Japanese partners. This project also aims to cultivate the next generation of pioneers by laying the foundation for Dayton, Ohio’s first transnational mentorship program. This journey has been physically exhausting, mentally transformative, and spiritually fulfilling. I’m excited to share personal fieldnotes detailing experiences from this journey that will only be available here. 


Tracing the Past


Kabuki Theater, Tokyo (Canon A-1, Portra 400 film) Pioneer: Langston Hughes


Documenting historical legacies has been deeply rewarding, instilling in me a greater appreciation for ancestry, memory, and those who came before us. There are days when I walk the hot streets of Japan carrying camera gear for over five hours at a time. Yet each step feels small in comparison to the journeys endured by the pioneers before me. That feeling first struck me most powerfully when I visited the site where Josephine Baker performed in Kyoto in 1954.  She was an African American performer, activist, and cultural pioneer whose global career helped reshape perceptions of Black identity across national borders.


Former Yasaka Kaikan, Kyoto (Canon A-1, Portra 400 film) Pioneer: Josephine Baker


The site has now been renovated into a luxury hotel, though much of the exterior structure remains true to the original Yasaka Kaikan where Josephine Baker performed in 1954. I want to give special thanks to my teachers at Stanford’s IUC in Yokohama. My Japanese ability has become strong enough to access spaces like this that I otherwise may never have experienced.


After exploring parts of the building, I was invited to relax as a guest in a restaurant on one of the upper floors. The experience felt surreal knowing I was occupying a space connected to Josephine Baker’s history in Japan. The atmosphere and refined surroundings gave me a glimpse into the level of luxury and prestige pioneers like her may have experienced decades ago.


While reflecting there, thoughts about legacy, greatness, gratitude, and self-improvement continuously came to mind. I found myself thinking deeply about how important it is that people from backgrounds like my own are given opportunities to experience the world beyond the environments they were raised in. I also reflected on how stories like Josephine Baker’s serve as an important countermeasure to limiting ideas surrounding international travel, identity, and what is possible for an individual life.


Waseda University Library, Tokyo 


In addition to visiting historical locations and photographing them on film, I have also been researching archives to learn more about historical Black pioneers and their Japanese partners. Through support from my team, I was granted the opportunity to conduct research within the archives at Waseda University.


While researching multiple pioneers, I decided to continue focusing on Josephine Baker and her relationship with Miki Sawada. During her time in Japan, Josephine Baker performed in support of Miki Sawada’s efforts to help establish the Elizabeth Sanders Home, a children’s home for abandoned children in Japan. Josephine would later adopt two Japanese children herself, Akio and Teruya.


While reviewing Miki Sawada’s autobiography in the basement archives of Waseda University, I came across a photograph of Miki and Josephine together. Seeing the image felt powerful, as it visually documented a genuine historical partnership between Black and Japanese communities, something that directly resonates with the larger mission of The Pioneer’s Manuscript.


Modern Pioneers & Partnerships


Henry and Kodama (Canon EOS 5, Digital)


Documenting contemporary stories of Black pioneers and their Japanese partners is just as important as reclaiming the stories of historical pioneers. It is my hope that by archiving these narratives now, their legacies will remain accessible for future generations.

In Fieldnotes 001, I want to highlight Henry, Global HR Head of OWNDAYS, published author, and startup executive, alongside his close friend Kodama-san. Through a public-facing online campaign, videos like the ones below will not only help preserve their stories, but also provide insight and inspiration to younger generations.


Henry on "Commonality"


One recurring theme expressed by both Henry and Kodama was the importance of surrounding yourself with good people and finding meaningful points of connection within another culture. Whether through shared interests, hobbies, films, or experiences, these common meeting points can help build genuine relationships that transcend cultural and linguistic differences. Their relationship reflects the continuing partnership between the United States and Japan while also demonstrating how grassroots human connection can strengthen cultural understanding on an individual level.


Kodama-san on "Cultural Interests"


J’Nique is another pioneer I want to introduce and the first person to participate in The Pioneer’s Manuscript. She is an internationally acclaimed singer and songwriter who recently performed at Carnegie Hall and has provided vocals for numerous projects, including the popular video game NieR:Automata.


J’Nique (Canon EOS 5, Digital)


J'Nique is one of the voices helping shape the present and, in many ways, a contemporary embodiment of pioneers like Josephine Baker in her own right. When reflecting on both historical and contemporary movement between cultures, she exemplifies the power music has to connect people beyond language and borders. Through performance, collaboration, and artistic exchange, her work demonstrates how creative expression can foster emotional understanding between communities separated by geography, language, and lived experience.


J'Nique on "Being Mindful"


New Adventures Mentoring


AI meeting statistics from our May 19th mentorship planning session 


New Adventures Mentoring is a unique program designed to provide underprivileged youth with not only international mentors such as Henry and J’Nique, but local mentors in Dayton as well. In addition to this hybrid-mentorship, the program will provide online group experiences with members of the Japanese community, assist students in obtaining passports, and culminate in a live celebration event showcasing projects completed throughout the mentorship experience.


The program has been structured around in-person training provided by The Mentoring Collaborative to help ensure best practices are being implemented. Further supporting the development of the program is project manager Angelica Clark, who completed the same mentorship training process. We have also established an advisory board consisting of community leaders throughout Dayton including, in no particular order: Doug Walker, Jim Cox, Peter Benkendorf, Ed Dixon, Tamiko Stump, and Reggie Turner. Currently, we are applying for grants to support this programming while continuing to build a strong foundation capable of creating meaningful experiences for both mentees and mentors alike.


Closing Reflection


Behind the scenes of my shoot with Henry and Kodama


This short time in Japan has already been intense with fieldwork. As much as I am creating work, I feel that the process is also transforming me. It feels as though the legacies of the past are providing me with a kind of unseen spiritual strength, while insights from contemporary pioneers and their partners continue to offer new perspectives on growth, purpose, and success. Simultaneously, building the New Adventures Mentorship program has further deepened my desire to serve others through this work. I believe The Pioneer’s Manuscript is an important project capable of preserving histories, inspiring others in ways still unseen, strengthening relationships between Japan and the United States, and supporting underprivileged youth who will one day shape our collective future.


Although significant progress is being made, we are currently still approximately $19,000 short of the projected budget. Please consider supporting the project here: National Association for Black Engagement With Asia Donation Page and selecting “The Pioneer’s Manuscript” as the designation. I also want to give special thanks to the many individuals supporting this project behind the scenes. Numerous people have generously donated their time and expertise to help move this work forward through video editing, localization efforts, archival support, mentorship development, and more. If you are interested in following daily fieldwork updates from The Pioneer’s Manuscript, I will be sharing stories regularly on Instagram at @truhiro. 


*This project is supported by the United States-Japan Foundation through the National Association for Black Engagement With Asia.


*Camera equipment for the project was provided by Midwest Photo.

 
 
 

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