The National Torchbearer Program carries forward the Go For Broke spirit of Japanese American WWII soldiers by empowering young professionals to fight for space and place in America through civic dialogue, storytelling, and community building.

National Torchbearer Program

The mission of the Torchbearers is to steward the Go For Broke spirit through civic dialogue, engagement with emerging social issues, and building an inclusive community.

Since launching nationally in 2023, the National Torchbearer Program has convened young professionals across the country to engage in civic dialogue and community building. Together, Torchbearers have:

Partnered with regional organizations to hold gatherings for young professionals across the country.
Mobilized wildfire recovery fundraisers in Los Angeles, raising $7,000 for local families in Pasadena and Altadena.
Organized Boyle Heights Evergreen Cemetery cleanups, honoring Nisei veterans and preserving spaces of remembrance.
Hosted a Black Reparations Symposium exploring solidarity between Asian American and Black communities.
Led Ukrainian relief efforts, standing in solidarity with displaced communities.
Supported cultural and community events to civically engage in the local community.

National Torchbearer Fellowship

Program experiences include:

National Torchbearer Convening conferences
Regional community impact projects
Civic engagement and discourse skill-building

Administered by the Go For Broke National Education Center, the National Torchbearer Fellowship partners with regional organizations in Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, San Francisco, Maui, O‘ahu, and Vermont to engage young professionals (ages 21–39) in a year-long Torchbearer Fellowship that focused on leadership development, community impact, and the cultivation of civic discourse skills.