About Kumi Alderman

Kumi Alderman graduated from Yamaguchi University  in Business/ Accounting degree. Then she traveled all over the world as a Tour Conductor based in Tokyo, Japan. Learning about many different belief systems, arts, and lifestyles, she came to realize that people are essentially the same beneath their skin and their layers of culture.

In the last ten years of organizing the Knox Asian Festival, Kumi has manifested her passion of bringing the richness of traditional Asian arts and culture to the mountains of East Tennessee. She hopes to ignite imaginations and inspire, especially the younger generations, believing that mutual understanding is the foundation for world peace.

On November 20th, 2018, Kumi was presented with the Certificate of Commendation by the Consulate General of Japan in Nashville for her distinguished service in contributing to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Knoxville.

Currently, Kumi serves on the boards of the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s Institute for Public Service and Knoxville Community Media. She is also a member of the Chief of Security Advisory Council on Diversity for Knox County Schools, and serves on the Counselor Advisory Board at Cedar Bluff Middle School.

Her dream is to build on the incredible successes of the Knox Asian Festival to create an Asian Culture Center in Knoxville.

About David Gras

Board Advisor

Dr. David Gras holds a PhD in Entrepreneurship from Syracuse University, an MS in Marketing from Clemson University, and a BA in Management from Texas A&M University. His research focuses on the antecedents of business performance and competitive advantage. Within these areas, Dr. Gras explores the financial impacts of corporate social responsibility, new venture diversification, strategic decisions, and entrepreneurial characteristics. Dr. Gras has taught numerous classes in entrepreneurship (e.g. introduction to entrepreneurship; opportunity recognition; values-centered entrepreneurship) and strategic management at the University of Connecticut, Syracuse University, and Texas Christian University.

Our Educational Program

 Japanese Outreach Initiative

Help us to create a Japan Outreach initiative program. During their two-year placement with your organization, JOI coordinators enhance the local community’s understanding of Japan by expanding outreach programming beyond the current capabilities of the hosting organizations. The program also helps to cultivate a new group of individuals in both Japan and the U.S. who will take leading roles in grassroots exchange.From planting elementary school students’ first seeds of interest in Japan to strengthening sister city/state relationships and linking high schools and colleges with partner institutions in Japan, JOI coordinators bring Japan and the U.S. closer, one person at a time.