CategoryInterview

SGI-USA member Francisco Estrada-Belli, of New Orleans, is a research professor in the Middle American Research Institute at Tulane University. He is known for his expertise in Maya archaeology, remote sensing, geographic information systems and spatial analysis using digital technologies such as LiDAR (light detection and ranging). He is a National Geographic Explorer and has

SGI-USA member Jury Candelario, of Los Angeles, is a clinical social worker and AIDS advocate. He is the director of an organization that provides culturally affirming social services for vulnerable communities impacted by HIV/AIDS, behavioral health challenges and housing insecurity. He was named a local hero in 2010 by Los Angeles-based television station KCET and

SGI-USA member Kryssi Staikidis is a painter, professor and head of Art and Design Education at the Northern Illinois University School of Art and Design. In 2021, she was conferred the National Art Education Association’s June King McFee Award for her research and art, teaching practices that focus on community, inclusivity and social justice. World

by Machiko, Yasumitsu and Mac Kimura Gardena, Calif. World Tribune: Thank you, Machiko, Yasumitsu and Mac for speaking with us. We heard that your family experienced a victory last year based on your efforts to spread Buddhism. Can you tell us what happened? Mac Kimura: In mid-2020, my father shut down his business of almost

Tune in to this episode of the top-rated podcast “The Melissa Ambrosini Show” to hear Greg Martin, co-author of The Buddha in Your Mirror, and Jihii Jolly, host of the popular podcasts “Buddhability” and “Buddhist Solutions for Life’s Problems,” in conversation with Ms. Ambrosini. Listen to the episode today.

The World Tribune spoke with BJ Banks, of Memphis, Tennessee, about how he builds platforms of dialogue and friendship to introduce young people to Buddhism. World Tribune: Thank you, BJ, for speaking with us. We were encouraged to hear that you have a passion for sharing Nichiren Buddhism with others, especially young people. What motivates

Wayne Shorter, legendary American jazz saxophonist and composer, has earned worldwide recognition for his mastery of the saxophone, including six honorary doctorates and 11 Grammy Awards. The New York Times named him the foremost living composer in jazz. At age 88, together with four-time Grammy award winner Esperanza Spalding, he has completed his first opera,

SGI-USA future division member Darren Yapi is a forward for the Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids—at 16 years old, making him the youngest signee in the club’s history. The World Tribune spoke with him about his career and how he uses his Buddhist practice in his daily life. World Tribune: Thank you for speaking

SGI-USA member Michele LaMontagne is the second woman to reach the rank of brigadier general in the New Mexico National Guard and its first female commander. The World Tribune spoke with her about her career and how she uses her Buddhist practice in her daily life. World Tribune: Thank you for speaking with us about

Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana on Aug. 29, 2021, 16 years to the day after the landfall of the devastating Hurricane Katrina. SGI-USA Central Territory Leader James Herrmann spoke with the World Tribune about the incredible strength of the local members and the SGI-USA’s disaster relief efforts in New Orleans. World Tribune: Thank you for speaking

SGI-USA member Janice Kinjo is a celebrity makeup artist and men’s groomer in both New York and Los Angeles. The World Tribune spoke with her about her career and how she applies her Buddhist practice to her work. World Tribune: Thank you for speaking with us! How did you become a makeup artist? Janice Kinjo:

SGI-USA member Aarti Jain, of Irvine, California, is a researcher who focuses on COVID-19 projects and training workshops for visiting scholars and medical students at the University of California, Irvine. The World Tribune spoke with her about her Buddhist practice and experience as a vaccine researcher during the coronavirus pandemic. World Tribune: Thank you, Aarti,

The 81st annual George Foster Peabody Awards was held in June 2021. Among the winners was June Cross, of New York, and her team for their documentary Whose Vote Counts. Ms. Cross, a longtime SGI-USA member, is a documentary producer and professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, where she founded a program in

At the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards Show held on March 14, 2021, SGI-USA men’s division member John Beasley, of Venice, California, received four nominations and won Best Arrangement, Instrumental Or A Cappella for his arrangement of the jazz standard “Donna Lee.” Mr. Beasley is a multi-Grammy and Emmy-nominated pianist, composer, arranger, producer and music director

World Tribune: We learned that you recently had a profound experience introducing young people to Buddhism. Does this come naturally? Meryl Shapiro (New York): Not at all. I’m 73, single and never had children. As a longtime SGI member, I’ve introduced a number of youth, but in the two years I fought all out for

Through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and heartfelt dialogue, we ended gun violence in our community.

When the Soka Gakkai International was established on Jan. 26, 1975, in Guam, SGI-USA member Gerry Hall served as the secretary-general for the meeting and read the Declaration for Peace on behalf of its 158 participants. We asked Mr. Hall what he recalled and learned from that day. World Tribune: Thank you for sitting down

The following are responses from SGI-USA leaders in Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas, following the recent mass shootings there, as well as a determination from a new member who experienced the loss of 10 family members in the Sutherland Springs, Texas, shootings in 2017. The District Is Where We Will “Transform This Troubled World”

On the cusp of her 100th birthday, Cora Davis Boyd, on April 7, became an SGI-USA member. The World Tribune sat down with her and her daughter, Kathleen Dockett, of Washington, D.C., to learn about Cora’s life, why she joined the SGI-USA and what advice she has for people of all ages. World Tribune: Cora,

Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee served as the keynote speaker for Soka University of America’s Class of 2019 commencement ceremony on May 24 (see p. 10 for coverage). She is best known for leading a nonviolent movement that united Christian and Muslim women, playing a pivotal role in ending Liberia’s 14-year civil war in 2003.