Sports Diversification Series: Embracing Cultural Plurality in Athletics
Over the past year, our Los Angeles Foundation teamed up with MUFG Bank to explore the dynamic themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across various industries, including sports. This season, we delved into the world of entertainment, hosted an enlightening session with Hollywood icon George Takei, and this fall, we gathered for a captivating panel discussion on sports and how it's evolving in the realm of DEI.
Sports have seen a dramatic shift, mirroring broader societal movements. With the intersection of sports, entertainment, and advocacy increasingly becoming commonplace, particularly in anticipation of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, new challenges and opportunities arise.
Our panel brought together sports trailblazers such as figure skater Maia Shibutani, soccer player Jun Endo, and Will Ireton, Performance Operations Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The inspiring discussion saw them share stories about overcoming obstacles, making a mark, and striving to make the athletic landscape more diverse and inclusive.
Renata Simril, president and CEO of the LA84 Foundation and a champion for diversity in athletics, moderated this insightful conversation. After a stimulating Q&A session, attendees joined an intimate reception for networking and connection-building.
Schedule
- 6:00 PM - 6:15 PM | Welcoming Remarks by Yuko Kaifu, Consul General Kenko Sone, and Masatoshi Komoriya
- 6:15 PM - 7:30 PM | Panel Discussion (Q&A)
- 7:30 PM - 7:45 PM | Interval
- 7:45 PM - 8:30 PM | Networking & Reception
Panelists
- Maia Shibutani - Olympic ice dancer, writer, producer, speaker, and consultant
- Jun Endo - Angel City FC soccer player, member of Nadeshiko Japan women's national team
- Will Ireton - Performance Operations Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers and former Kenta Maeda interpreter
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In a rapidly changing sports landscape, events like this serve as beacons, shedding light on the journey towards a more inclusive and diverse world of sports. As we buzz with excitement toward the 2028 Summer Olympics, such events provide vital insights into the evolution of DEI in a dynamic world.
- Our Los Angeles Foundation, in partnership with MUFG Bank, delved into the exploration of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the world of entertainment, following their previous endeavors in sports.
- This season, they hosted an enlightening session with Hollywood icon George Takei and this fall, they are set to gather for a captivating panel discussion on sports and DEI.
- The upcoming panel will feature sports trailblazers such as figure skater Maia Shibutani, soccer player Jun Endo, and Will Ireton, Performance Operations Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- These panelists will share stories about overcoming obstacles, making a mark, and striving to make the athletic landscape more diverse and inclusive.
- Renata Simril, president and CEO of the LA84 Foundation and a champion for diversity in athletics, will moderate this insightful conversation.
- Among the scheduled activities, attendees can look forward to networking and connection-building during an intimate reception.
- With the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles fast approaching, events like this offer vital insights into the evolution of DEI within the sports industry, acting as beacons guiding us towards a more inclusive and diverse world.
