CategoryProfiles

by Tae Izawa and Kunihiro UryuNorthern Virginia (NOVA) West Chapter Women’s and Men’s Leaders Members of the SGI-USA will begin the new year with hundreds of vibrant chapter kickoff meetings rooted in local communities across the country. The World Tribune sat down with Northern Virginia West Chapter leaders to learn how they have built momentum

by the San Francisco Ever-Victorious Zone team What is your zone motto?  Ever-Victorious With Sensei! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Our zone was formed on Aug. 16, 2009. Prior to that we were part of Northern California Zone. In 2009, we split into two zones, and the area including Monterey Bay, Silicon Valley,

The World Tribune sat down with Howard Fang and Karishma Bhandarkar,  Western Avenue-Light of the Charles (LOTC) District young men’s division and young women’s division leaders, to learn how their district united toward their November general meeting.  Beginning the Journey Hi Howard and Karishma! Thank you for speaking with us about the amazing growth of

by the Midwest Zone team Tell us briefly about your zone’s history.The current zone was established in 2007, coinciding with the formation of the three territories of SGI-USA. We have four regions, which comprise seven states: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas. The zone also supports members in parts of Illinois

by the Mid-Atlantic Zone team What is your zone motto? One with Sensei, Mid-Atlantic leads the way! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Mid-Atlantic Zone was established in its present form in 2007 along with East Territory. The zone consists of seven regions in the states of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Washington, D.C.

by the Los Angeles Sunshine Zone team What is your zone motto? LA Sunshine with Sensei! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. In 1960, on his first visit to the U.S., Ikeda Sensei established the first chapter in the States—Los Angeles Chapter. Within that chapter, he created six districts and attended the first discussion

by the Pacific Northwest Zone team What is your zone motto? Altruistic action opens the way for everyone’s happiness! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Pacific Northwest Zone comprises six regions, which encompasses the states of Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho and Montana. We have a proud history of Soka Spirit. In 1992, courageous pioneer

by the Mideast Zone team What is your zone motto? One With Ikeda Sensei! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history.Mideast Zone was formed on July 21, 2007, at the same time Central Territory was established. Our zone encompasses six states, including most of Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky as well as the entirety of Ohio.

by Florida Zone team What is your zone motto? Now is the time! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history.Our zone was formed in 2007 at the same time the territory system was created in the SGI-USA. Prior to this, the East Coast consisted of two larger zones, and Florida was part of Southeast Zone.

by Los Angeles North Coast Lion’s Roar Zone What is your zone motto? No. 1 and the most FUN! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Our zone was formed in 2007 and was called L.A. North Coast Zone. In 2010, our team proposed and Ikeda Sensei affirmed the name L.A. North Coast Lion’s Roar

by the Golden Gate Mentor and Disciple Zone team What is your zone motto? Unite! Fight! Win!—GGMD No. 1! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Our current zone was formed on Aug. 16, 2009. It was previously a part of Northern California Zone, which was formed when the three SGI-USA territories—West, Central and East—were

by Chicago Zone team Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Chicago Zone was formed on July 21, 2007, when Central Territory was first established. While our name is Chicago Zone, we encompass four states and span two time zones. Our zone includes almost all of Illinois and Wisconsin as well as northwest Indiana and

by Brooklyn-Queens-Long Island Zone What is your zone motto? We will be champions of member care! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Brooklyn-Queens-Long Island (BQLI) Zone was formed at the beginning of 2020. We were so excited to fight for kosen-rufu in our new zone. Soon after, the pandemic shut everything down. It was

by Rocky Mountain Zone What is your zone motto? When Ikeda Sensei visited Denver in June 1996, he gave the members this five-point motto: 1) Everyone in harmony. 2) Everyone cheerful. 3) Everyone safe from mishap. 4) Everyone healthy. 5) Everyone happy. Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Rocky Mountain Zone was formed in

by Texas-Oklahoma Zone team What is your zone motto? T-X-O-K! All the way with Sensei!!! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. On Nov. 23, 1963, the day after the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, a ray of hope emerged when we held our first SGI-USA district meeting in Wichita Falls, Texas. In

by the Southern California Zone team What is your zone motto? Cheers of Victory! Tell us briefly about your zone’s history. Southern California (SoCal) Zone was established in January 2023 with a name change from the former SoCal West Zone. We embarked on our fresh departure embracing the following guidance from Nichiren Daishonin: “I entrust

by the South Zone team What is your zone motto? We have a cheer: South Zone! South Zone! Together with Sensei! South Zone! South Zone! We will lead the way! REMIX! All across the nation there’s a SOUTH ZONE sensation, that makes you want to slide and move from side to side! South Zone! Tell

by Los Angeles Pan-Pacific Zone team What area does your zone serve? We have the most incredible bodhisattvas practicing in 83 districts that span coastal areas from the scenic beach city of Malibu, to the north, to Long Beach, an urban hub with one of the busiest ports in the world, to the south. Tell

by Hinesville District, Hinesville, Ga.Saori Karasawa, Women’s LeaderAngel Le Bron, Men’s LeaderCharles Donald, Young Men’s LeaderAnnick Le Bron, Chapter Women’s Vice Leader Starting 2024, Hinesville District was hit with many obstacles. We struggled for the first six months, but we didn’t give up and were more determined than ever to be victorious—we had made a

A story of friendship, community and successors.