The Fred T. Korematsu Institute, a cornerstone of national civil rights education, has announced the promotion of Courtney Peagler to Executive Director. The move signals a strategic shift for the organization as it expands its reach to meet an increasing demand for civil rights advocacy and historical education.
Peagler, who previously served as the Institute’s Vice President and Director of Education, will co-lead the organization alongside Founder Dr. Karen Korematsu. While Peagler takes the helm of daily operations and strategic execution, Dr. Korematsu, daughter of the legendary civil rights icon Fred Korematsu, will remain President and CEO, focusing on long-term vision, national partnerships, and her extensive speaking engagements.
Peagler’s connection to the mission is both professional and deeply personal. As a hapa-yonsei descendant of Japanese Americans who were forcibly removed from the West Coast and incarcerated during World War II, she brings a lived understanding of the Institute’s core work.
With over a decade of experience across education, technology, and media, Peagler has been a driving force behind the Institute’s most ambitious recent projects. Most notably, she spearheaded the national traveling exhibition, “Am I An American Or Am I Not?”, which explores the complexities of identity and justice through Fred Korematsu’s life.
“We aren’t just maintaining a legacy; we are building a future where civil rights are understood as a collective responsibility,” Peagler said. “At this moment, when the lessons of history are more vital than ever, we are choosing to lean in and amplify our voice.”
The leadership transition comes at a time when the “lessons of history” are being fiercely debated in the American educational landscape. Dr. Karen Korematsu noted that Peagler’s “strong strategic sense” makes her the ideal partner to navigate the current civil rights landscape.
“Courtney has been instrumental to our educational programming for several years,” said Dr. Korematsu. “As we grow our reach to meet the challenges of today’s civil rights landscape, I am thrilled to work alongside her.”
Peagler’s academic background is equally robust, holding a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Harvard and a master’s in educational communication and technology from NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education.
Founded in 2009, the Korematsu Institute has spent nearly two decades ensuring that Fred Korematsu’s 1944 Supreme Court challenge against Japanese American discrimination remains a primary tool for teaching social justice. Under this new dual-leadership model, the Institute aims to ensure advocacy.
For the Asian American community and civil rights allies, this transition marks a commitment to sustainability. By reinforcing its leadership structure, the Institute ensures that Fred Korematsu’s famous mantra “stand up for what is right” will continue to resonate in classrooms and community forums nationwide.
For more information on the Institute’s upcoming nationwide touring exhibit, visit amianamerican.org.
