The Nisei Week Foundation celebrates with Honorary Grand Marshall Kellyn Acosta
Honorary Grand Marshall Kellyn Acosta served the Nisei Week Grand Parade on Saturday in downtown Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo neighborhood. The Nisei Week Grand Parade was the centerpiece of Nisei Week Festival’s opening weekend which honors Japanese and Japanese American culture in the historic community of Little Tokyo.
George K. Sugimoto, a World War II army veteran, and the “Shib Sibs” figure skating duo Maia and Alex Shibutani were among the honorees joining Honorary Grand Marshall Acosta in the 80th event hosted by the Nisei Week Foundation. Maia and Alex were the first Asian figure skaters to win two Olympic medals.
Acosta‘s father, who was born and spent the most of his youth in Okinawa, Japan, is the source of his Japanese lineage. Acosta has the chance to make history by being the first person of Japanese ancestry to play for the United States at the next World Cup. The LAFC midfielder is soon to be named to the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.