Kumi Alderman grew up in Iwakuni City, a small town in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. Her initial dream was to become a teacher, but after graduating from college, she embarked on a journey around the world as a tour conductor, immersing herself in diverse cultures. The invaluable lessons from her travels ignited her passion for uniting people from different backgrounds. It was, however, a car accident that ultimately led Kumi, the Director of the Asian Culture Center of TN, to discover her true purpose.