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UPDATES
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Apply for the 2024-2024 Spectrum Scholars Program
Spectrum Scholars is an educational program for eligible rising college juniors with financial need. The annual program awards college students $20,000 each, half during their junior year and half during their senior year. In addition, students are paired with a Charter mentor and have the opportunity for a paid internship with the company.

To be considered, applicants must:
* Be a rising college junior pursuing a Bachelor's degree
* Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
* Demonstrate financial need
* Identify as Asian/Pacific Islander, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and/or Native American
* Reside within 50 miles of a Charter corporate office in Stamford, CT, Charlotte, NC, St. Louis, MO, Denver, CO, Austin, TX or be willing to relocate
* Have authorization to work in the U.S. without restrictions or need for employer sponsorship

The deadline to apply is March 1, 2024.

** LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE ([link removed])
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Next Edition of IMAGE Magazine

We are preparing our next edition of IMAGE Magazine to celebrate 50 years of OCA’s existence and impact, and we want your contributions! The theme is "Community: how do you define it, and how has OCA nurtured it over the decades?" Share your stories, poems, and artwork that reflect this theme with us. Please send your submissions by February 28th to Socheata, ** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
. If you want an idea of what past contributions consisted of, check out past editions of IMAGE Magazine ** HERE ([link removed])
.

We are also looking for a talented designer to create the cover of our next edition. This is a great opportunity to showcase your creativity and skills, and we are offering a $200 honorarium as well as a free physical copy of the magazine. If you are interested, please contact Socheata at ** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
.

UVSA Gulf Coast Summit III

OCA's Manager of Programs Kent Tong was a keynote speaker at the Union of Vietnamese Student Association Gulf Coast's Third Leadership and Professional Development Summit, hosted at Loyola University New Orleans from January 5-7, where college students from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama were in attendance. Kent also facilitated a workshop on AANHPI history and was a speaker on a career panel during the summit.
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Fuel the Next 50

After introducing potential donors to your work, they may find giving appreciated stock attractive. Stock giving means their contribution will go even further to support your chapter’s initiatives, all while saving on taxes. ** Learn how to give stock today! ([link removed])
PRESS RELEASES
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OCA National Center Names Kevin Yi as Second S.Y. & S.F. Fung Public Service Scholar

Kevin Yi, a second-generation Korean American student, was awarded the S.Y. & S.F. Fung Public Service Scholarship, which recognizes the achievements of a graduate student who is pursuing a career in public service.

** Read more here. ([link removed])

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OCA Celebrates 80th Anniversary of the Magnuson Act

The Magnuson Act 80th Anniversary is a commemoration of the law that repealed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which banned Chinese immigration and citizenship in the U.S.

** Read more here. ([link removed])

EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
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Apply for ACP Fellow Position
In June, OCA received a ~$700k federal grant to do outreach for the ** Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ([link removed])
. This program is one of the ways we're addressing OCA's policy on ** "Bridging the Digital Divide" ([link removed])
. Over the next two years, we will implement 600 outreach activities/events, reach 800,000 people, and hold 200 ACP enrollment events.

OCA National is hiring part-time Community Outreach Fellows (also informally called "ACP Fellows") to work within their local AANHPI community to reach historically underserved and low-income populations. Through this work, OCA National will
1. Support low-income AANPHI communities with access to technology and broadband
2. Build and increase community engagement through OCA chapters across the country
3. Increase local membership numbers and engagement

Community advocates are paid contractors by OCA National ($25/hour) and work closely with National staff. If anyone is interested in applying, ** please email our Community Outreach Coordinator, Christian Phomsouvanh (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Affordable%20Connectivity%20Program%20(ACP))
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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 ([link removed])
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CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS

OCA - Wisconsin
Almost 80 people turned out for the annual OCA Wisconsin Christmas Party. It was a festive way to celebrate the holiday with a recap of 2023 events.

A special thanks to Tony Lam for his time and efforts as he will be leaving the board. He received a 'Team' Dragon Boat T-shirt, and was given commemorative gifts as he leaves his post as Treasurer (as well as hot-pot and picnic coordinator) after many years of service to OCA-WI.
CHAPTER EVENTS
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January 25: Lunar New Year, Year of the Dragon Commemorative Forever Stamp by OCA - Greater Seattle

OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates of Greater Seattle, in partnership with the United
States Postal Service, will host the national unveiling of the Year of the Dragon Lunar New Year stamp, Thursday, January 25, 11 AM, International District Community Center.

Since 1993, OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates (formerly known as the Organization of Chinese Americans), and USPS have selected different sites to unveil the latest Lunar New Year stamp. For the Year of the Dragon, Seattle was chosen.

“While our formal name changed in 2013, OCA Greater Seattle is proud to collaborate with the USPS to celebrate the Chinese heritage along with others who celebrate the Lunar New Year,” said Connie So, president of OCA-GS. “The Year of the Dragon is especially significant as it represents strength, courage, and innovation for the coming year and should be a lucky year for all.”

In 1986, OCA-Georgia President, Jean Chen, introduced the idea to honor Chinese American culture through a commemorative stamp. By 1991, Claudine Cheng, then OCA National President, contacted USPS to consider the stamp proposal. The Year of the Rooster stamp debut in 1993 sold phenomenally worldwide, second only to the sale of the Elvis Presley stamp. Following the stamp’s success, USPS issued the rest of the series.

Clarence Lee of Hawaii designed this first stamp series from 1993 to 2005. Kam Mak of New York designed the second stamp series from 2008 to 2019. Currently, Camille Chew of New York, has designed the third series. The dragon stamp is the third stamp from the series. While the USPS has changed the artistic direction of the series, the stamp remains popular. Thursday’s event will include dragon dance performances by Mak Fai Lion Dance Team and other entertainment. Small snacks will be served.

Other cosponsors include Chinese Information Services Center, Bellevue Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Cathay Bank, Chinese American Citizens Alliance, Chong Wa Benevolent
Association, Friends of China Town, Joyale Restaurant, UW American Ethnic Studies
Department (Seattle), United Chinese of Washington, Wing Luke Museum.
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January 25: Lunar New Year Vision Board by OCA - Greater Houston

Join us for some Lunar New Year vision boarding!

Let's fill this new year with good vibes and energy. We will provide all of the supplies needed but please feel free to bring your magazines, stickers, and any other crafty things you would want to manifest into this world.

There will be refreshments and a light dinner!

📆 January 25th, 2024
⏰ 6pm - 9pm
📍 Montrose Center (401 Branard St, Rm 112, Houston , TX 77006)

To reserve your ticket, ** CLICK HERE ([link removed])
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January 27: Golden Circle Awards & Lunar New Year Celebration by OCA - Greater Seattle
The Golden Circle Awards and Lunar New Year Cerebration is our biggest annual event. This year, in response to the anti-Woke people, the theme is “Think!” We are honoring pioneering “thinkers” in the Seattle area including renowned poet and the arts director of the International Examiner (America’s oldest continuously running AANHPI newspaper) Alan Lau, retired professor of Seattle University and activist Larry Matsuda, former Seattle Central Community College administrator and a founder of the Northwest Asian American Theater Company Bea Kiyohara, and the department/programs that emerged from the community during the West Coast’s Third World Strike, Department of American Ethnic Studies at the University of Washington. ** Click here to register. ([link removed])
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January 27: 🎨✨ Youth Artivism Showcase by OCA - Greater Houston

Join us on January 27th as we uplift youth creatives at OCA- Greater Houston’s Annual Youth Artivism Showcase 🖼️🌟

Throughout history, art has been used as a tool for advocacy and a way to amplify the voices of those unheard. 🎨✨ At Youth Artivism Showcase, youth will present and celebrate arts of all different mediums, disciplines, and styles, meet notable artists in their community, and learn about the history of art and activism.

** REGISTER HERE ([link removed])

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** OCA National Website ([link removed])
OCA National Center
Embracing the hopes and aspirations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

900 19th St. NW, 6th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20006

Copyright © 2024 OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates, All rights reserved.

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