Yuri Yamamoto

Yuri Yamamoto is a storyteller who uses many modes of expression through arts, preaching, and facilitating groups. Yuri believes that understanding and sharing the truths about how global and local histories and familial and personal stories shaped ourselves is a form of sacred resistance against the powers that keep us blind, divided and oppressed. As a board-certified chaplain commissioned and endorsed by the Federation of Christian Ministries, Yuri is an accompanist for the soul who ministers at a close custody state prison. Yuri came from Japan to the U.S. in 1984 to pursue their American dream, running away from their anger and shame. Yuri studied molecular genetics and plant biology at NC State University and worked as a scientist. After many years of joys and hardships, Yuri became a church musician in a Unitarian Universalist congregation. When Yuri experienced a racial identity crisis, they began their healing journey toward accepting their Japanese roots. Yuri explored many modes of self-expression for healing and earned Expressive Arts Therapy graduate certificate from Appalachian State University and Master of Divinity degree from Shaw University Divinity School. After two Clinical Pastoral Education residencies, Yuri is serving as a clinical chaplain in a close custody state prison. Yuri completed the Moral Injury Certificate Program at the Shay Moral Injury Center where they also serve as a facilitator and trainer of moral injury peer support groups. Yuri and their husband have six kids, four kids-in-law, six grand kids, and one dog.