In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, OCA National Center staff and OCA Chapters provided book, film, TV show, and music recommendations that recognizes the diversity of the AANHPI community, from "Samoan Queer Lives" to Sosefina and Run River North. View the full list of media recommendations.
Cashing Our Trillions with Yvonne So
OCA -GPC Board Chair and AANHPI K-12 Curriculum Project co-chair Yvonne So lauched her podcast, Cashing our Trillions, on iHeart Radio on May 11th. Moms are the backbone of our society and the stars of Cashing our Trillions.
Join host, Yvonne So, a full-time stay-at-home-mom of 3 school aged boys as we discuss all things mom: how we sustain a $1.5 Trillion economy of unpaid female work, and the social and structural changes needed to prioritize moms! In this series, you will hear from inspiring moms who are creating solutions for us to thrive socially, politically, and economically and in turn, creating a movement to truly VALUE MOMS.
OCA's Executive Director Thu Nguyen spoke on a panel at the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) Legislative Leadership Summit addressing barriers to internet access in the AAPI community.
May 3: The White House Forum on Asian Americans,
Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
OCA National Center staff was able to attend a historic forum hosted by The White House and the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI). This community-wide celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month at The Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., featured Biden-Harris Administration officials, groundbreaking artists, and trailblazers across eight breakout convenings, four panels, and a moderated discussion featuring Vice President Kamala Harris about the most pressing issues facing our communities. Watch the main program.
OCA National Center staff and fellows at The White House Forum on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.
April 29-May 2: JACL/OCA Leadership Summit
OCA and the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) co-hosted the annual JACL/OCA Leadership Summit, sponsored by State Farm, in Washington, D.C. in which 21 JACL and OCA chapter members engaged and learned from nonprofit leaders, community advocates, appointed officials, and congressional staffers, culminating in a day of legislative visits in which participants advocated for the "Neighbors Not Enemies Act" and Hate Crimes Reporting to their members of Congress.
April 19: "AMAZING" by Maia and Alex Shibutani
OCA and JACL hosted a book talk and signing from authors and Olympic medalists Maia and Alex Shibutani (aka the "ShibSibs") at Busboys and Poets in Washington, DC to promote their new illustrated children's book, "Amazing," which celebrates over 30 trailblazing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Purchase your copy of "Amazing" wherever books are sold!
Empower Our Communities!
As a vital member of the OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates family, your support fuels our mission to champion social justice and equal opportunities. Did you know there's another way to help that can also benefit your taxes? By donating appreciated stock directly to OCA, you:
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This simple, secure online tool makes it easy to learn more and create your gift in less than 10 minutes. Donating stock is more than a contribution — it's an investment in a future where every Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander has the opportunity to live free from prejudice and discrimination. Thank you for considering this meaningful way of giving!
Register for the 50th Anniversary Convention!
Regular ticket pricing ends on June 19th! Make sure to purchase your ticket before the late pricing begins. Full-package registration includes access to all meals and special events, including Youth Recognition Luncheon, Friday Night Community Event, Chapter of the Year Luncheon, and Gala Awards dinner.
OCA National Intern Alumni: National Convention Opportunities and Events
We are requesting OCA National Internship Alumni support for various volunteer opportunities at OCA's 50th Anniversary National Convention. We are also hosting an OCA Internship Alumni Mixer at National Convention. RSVP to the Internship Alumni Mixer and/or apply to volunteer here.
Convention Hotel Registration
Don’t miss this chance to save on your hotel stay for OCA's 50th Anniversary National Convention with OCA group discount. Book your room before June 19th. Hurry, before time runs out!
Volunteers Needed for the Convention
Volunteering is easy and flexible. You can choose your preferred time slot and role based on your availability and interests. No prior experience is required, but training is mandatory!
Don’t miss this chance to be part of OCA’s 50th Anniversary National Convention! Join us and help us celebrate our past, present, and future! Due Friday, June 30.
Media Mention: OCA Challenges 'Model Minority' Myth to Close Digital Access Gaps
OCA's Broadband Access and Digital Equity Fellow Yen Jeong was interviewed by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance about OCA's work in advocating for the digital access needs of AANHPIs. Read the full story.
Press Release: OCA National Center Welcomes 2023 Summer Interns
OCA welcomes 18 Asian American and Pacific Islander college students to Washington, D.C., who will be working in the public sector, participating in leadership and professional development programming, and learning about the AAPI issues. Read more.
Press Release: OCA Congratulates American Idol Winner Iam Tongi
OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates congratulates Iam Tongi, the first Pacific Islander American Idol winner, for his phenomenal talent and cultural representation. Read more here.
Press Release: OCA Issues Statement Following Shooting in Allen, TX
OCA calls on Congress to immediately ban assault weapons in this country to keep all Americans safe in the wake of the mass shooting in Allen, TX. Read our statement.
From the Blog: OCA Supports the Affordable Connectivity Program
Internet access is no longer a luxury — it is a necessity. As OCA looks to support the AAPI community from every possible angle, we are calling on policymakers to secure additional funding for the ACP. Read more.
DAY x OCA IMAGE Magazine
The special Dear Asian Youth x OCA edition of IMAGE Magazine is now available to read online! Featuring over 40 works of art from Asian youths from around the globe, this collaboration marks just the start of an exciting partnership between DAY and OCA, including joint advocacy efforts, programming, and education.
Stream the 2022 OCA National Convention Online
Missed out on our 2022 National Convention? You're in luck! Our recordings of over 20 sessions are now available to stream online. Receive 24-hour streaming access for $29 or 1-year streaming access for $49.
June 14 — Closing the Digital Divide
Come check out Network: On's video featuring OCA National's Executive Director, Thu Nguyen at the double-panel hybrid event, "Closing the Digital Divide: The Affordable Connectivity Program on the Ground and in DC." She'll highlight barriers to digital adoption in the AAPI community and how digital navigators can uniquely help overcome those challenges. This event is held on Wednesday, June 14, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm ET both virtually and in Washington, D.C. hosted by Network:On, Public Knowledge, and New America's Open Technology Institute. Click here to learn more and register.
We're Hiring! Apply to be our new Development Manager
OCA National Center is seeking a Development Manager to oversee OCA's fundraising portfolio, in collaboration with OCA staff and Board of Directors. Key responsibilities include planning and executing annual fundraising events, leading donor stewardship activities, and managing OCA’s portfolio of institutional funders and corporate sponsors. Learn more and apply.
Deadline June 18 — Apply to the Olga May Wong Memorial Public Service Scholarship Fund
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander college students with unpaid internships at government offices, federally or locally, are eligible for a $2,000 scholarship from the Wong Family. Learn more and apply.
Help us update our OCA Intern Alumni Directory
We are requesting all OCA National internship program alumni to fill out the OCA Intern Alumni Directory Form to help us update our internal database so we can stay in touch with our intern alumni from the last 30+ years. Fill out the form.
CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS
OCA - Wisconsin Chapter
OCA Wisconsin is proud of our AAPI colleagues and allies who spoke at our State Assembly’s Committee on Education Public Hearing on AB 232 at Madison on 5/25/2023. Over 40 people gave their personal testimonies in support of requiring that Hmong and Asian American history, culture, and contributions be taught in Wisconsin’s K-12 schools. This public hearing is the first but historically significant step towards achieving passage of this bill.
The speakers represented the diversity of our AAPI communities, including those of Hmong, Chinese, Korean, East Indian, Japanese, Filipino, and Malaysian descent. About half who spoke were K-12 students, who spoke personally about how AAPI education would foster understanding among all students while helping to build positive self identities for AAPI youth. Speakers came from Milwaukee, Eau Claire, LaCrosse, Stevens Point, Oshkosh, and the Madison area. Written testimonies were also submitted by AAPI who could not attend, including those from Lao and Sikh & Muslim communities.
A wonderful coalition of AAPI, non-AAPI allies, K-12 and university educators, students, parents, and community organizations came together to advocate for AAPI educational curriculum in Wisconsin at this public hearing. We thank Francesca Hong, Wisconsin’s first AAPI legislator, for her leadership and inspiration in advancing this bill with her bipartisan legislative colleagues.
OCA - Tucson Chapter
OCA sponsored a high school art contest for Tucson Unified School District (TUSC) students. The theme, “Strengthening Your Inner Core,” focused on displaying positive ways to improve mental health and a sense of well-being. Catalina High School winner accepts her award. May 12, 2023.
Lady Dorothy Elli received the OCA Greater Tucson College Leadership Hero Award for her service to health projects in the community and to the University of Arizona. She served as a University Senator, a mentor to students, and led several campus organizations. She is an OCA UPS Gold Mountain Scholar. May 18, 2023.
Leslie Moe-Kaiser attended the United Chinese Americans WAVES (Wellness, Advocacy, Voices, Education, Support) Conference in Chandler, Arizona to establish a relationship and recruit professionals to participate in a Tucson mental health workshop in 2023. WAVES promotes mental health for AANHPI youth through education provided by AANHPI mental health professionals to youth and their parents. May 20, 2023
OCA - San Mateo Chapter
San Mateo chapter held their third local history and food tour in San Francisco Chinatown on May 24. Dim sum lunch followed. 20 people attended the tour lead by librarian Richard Le
Representatives from San Mateo OCA along with other local AAPI organizations in the county received the proclamation from the Board of Supervisors in celebration of AANHPI heritage month on May 23
Our Young OCA student leaders gave a presentation to middle schoolers on what to expect in High school on May 10 2023 at the Millbrae Library. San Mateo OCA was able to outreach to 20 students and 10 parents.
San Mateo chapter was a proud sponsor of CAAMFest (Center for Asian American Media) during AANHPI month in May. This is an annual festival featuring award winning films and documentaries by local Asian American artists, at the historic Great Star Theatre in SF Chinatown
CHAPTER EVENTS
ACA is Accepting Applications for its 40th High School and College Achievement Scholarship
ACA is happy to announce that the 40th High School Achievement Scholarship Awards Program is now underway. The ACA annually offers scholarships for students who are high school graduating seniors in Michigan and are interested in serving the Chinese and Asian American community. In addition to 16 scholarships with a variety of focuses awarded to High Schools seniors, this year ACA is offering 4 scholarships for college students.
