OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship applications are live! Students who are the first in their families to attend college may be eligible for awards.

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** Apply to be an OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholar!
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* OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates invests heavily in the success of aspiring Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders, whether it be through programs, hands-on internships, or thousands of dollars’ worth of scholarships. That's why we’re excited to announce that applications for the Gold Mountain Scholarship ([link removed]) , our signature award program generously funded by the UPS Foundation, are now open through April 1, 2022.
* Eligibility: AAPI students are the first in their families to attend institutions of higher learning may be eligible for awards of up to $2,500 that can be used to cover tuition and school expenses. In partnership with UPS, OCA National Center has distributed hundreds of scholarship opportunities over the past two decades.
* Our roots: The title of the OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship program ([link removed]) calls back to a time when many Asian immigrants looked upon America as a mountain of golden opportunities. Awardees seek dreams of higher education, which are not only the dreams of the students but also of their parents and extended family.

AWARD TYPES

👉 15 high school seniors starting college this fall will receive $2,000 awards. Learn more. ([link removed])

👉 4 undergraduate college students starting their senior year will receive $2,500 awards. Learn more. ([link removed])

WHO CAN APPLY?

❤️ Applicants must be first-gen and identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander (AAPI).

🔎 Applicants do not need to be a U.S. citizen. DACA students or undocumented students must have a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

💼 Applicants must not be a child or dependent of an OCA National staff member, OCA Executive Council member, or OCA Business Advisory Council member.

🤔 Questions? Please contact OCA's Associate Manager of Programs Kent Tong. (mailto:[email protected]?subject=OCA-UPS%20Gold%20Mountain%20Scholarship)

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👀 UPDATES
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Last Chance: Get Discounted Tickets to the Virtual Women of Color Conference!

OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates and the Center for Asian Pacific American Women are pleased to invite you to our third annual Women’s Conference on March 10-12, 2022. This virtual event, with the theme “Women Rise: Seize the Opportunity,” aims to empower, unite, and support women of color everywhere—especially as the pandemic continues to impact our lives.

Stay updated: Speaker and workshop information is being ** released here ([link removed])
, and we're providing ** discounted tickets ([link removed])
for the entire month of February in celebration of Lunar New Year! 👉 ** Claim your seat now. ([link removed])
** 🎟️ GET YOUR TICKET ([link removed])
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Update — Meet Our New K-12 AANHPI Curriculum Project Intern!
We're excited to welcome Buna Poeng (he/him) to the OCA team! Born in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco and raised in East Oakland, Buna comes from a family of Cambodian refugees and is a senior at UCLA majoring in psychology with a minor in Asian American studies. ** Learn more. ([link removed])

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📰 OCA in the News — Asian Researchers Scarce Among Biomedical Award Winners
Our Executive Director Thu Nguyen spoke to The Scientist about the struggles of Asian American researchers after a report found scientists of Asian descent "are routinely overlooked for prominent biomedical research prizes." ** Read more. ([link removed])

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We're Hiring! — Broadband and Digital Access Fellow
OCA National Center is seeking a two-year, full-time, exempt fellow to advance our understanding of broadband access and digital literacy in the AAPI community. This paid position will be filled as soon as possible. ** Learn more. ([link removed])

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✍️ Call for Submissions — IMAGE Magazine
OCA is now accepting submissions for the 2022 issue of ** IMAGE ([link removed])
, one of the oldest and longest-running English-language publications serving AAPI communities in the U.S. We're collecting art, op-eds, poetry, creative writing, and other forms of digital media. ** Email submissions to [email protected]. (mailto:[email protected]?subject=IMAGE%20Magazine)

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Update — 2022 Summer Internship Applications Close February 20
The final day to apply for OCA National Center's Summer Internship Program is this Saturday! Undergraduate students (and recent grads) who identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander are highly encouraged to apply for this full-time, paid opportunity in Washington, D.C. ** Learn more. ([link removed])

POLICY CORNER
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Host a Citizenship Workshop!

Is your chapter interested in hosting citizenship workshops and helping eligible immigrants with the naturalization process? ** Join OCA National Center and OCA-Greater Houston on February 25 at 8 PM ET ([link removed])
, where we'll discuss how you can get started with hosting virtual citizenship application workshops in your community!
* Why you should care: These workshops bring professionals and trained volunteers together to assist Lawful Permeant Residents in completing the Application for Naturalization (N-400) and are essential tools for efficiently and effectively providing naturalization assistance to large numbers of people.
* Get involved: If you would like to join us virtually on the 25th, ** fill out this short form ([link removed])
. Please email questions to ** OCA's Associate Manager of Policy & Advocacy Michael Nguyen. (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Citizenship%20Workshop)

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🎓 Opinion — "Arizona Has a Deep Asian American and Pacific Islander History. Schools Should Teach It"
Yvonne So, outreach and advocacy co-chair of ** OCA's K-12 AANHPI Curriculum Project ([link removed])
, wrote in The Arizona Republic about the need for legislation to "ensure our stories are told." ** Read more. ([link removed])

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Reminder — JACL/OCA Leadership Summit
Our next advocacy training with the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) will take place in Washington, D.C. from May 21-24. You must be nominated by your chapter president and provide proof of vaccination to participate in the program for rising AAPI leaders. ** Applications are due on March 6. ([link removed])

🔦 CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT

In Focus: OCA’s St. Louis' Youth Scholarship Winners

✍️ Missouri high school students Sarayu Kalwa and Ann Tong were among those who received scholarships from the OCA-St. Louis chapter in 2021. The two shared thoughts about on the rise in anti-Asian violence, their own experiences, and plans after graduation. Responses have been condensed and edited for clarity.

Q: Violent crimes against AAPI persons and property increased dramatically during the last two pandemic years. What are the challenges and opportunities this presents for America and the aspirations of your generation?

🗣️ Tong: America’s history is littered with numerous occasions of unfair treatment of AAPI people. Information, followed by understanding, is the key to create a community where everyone is of the same mind and accord. Education doesn’t just include those outside of the AAPI community; educating the ones within is also important, because knowing this history allows everyone to be on the same page.

Our generation will become the next advocates. By representing the AAPI community throughout the world in various areas, we will bring awareness to the ignorant and misinformed. To let the world know our story, we first must know our own story and the history behind it.

🗣️ Kalwa: As a woman of South Asian descent, I dodged many of the Asian hate crimes, but I was still able to be aware of what was happening around me. [The spike in violence has spurred Asian Americans] to create a strong and tight community as they are all facing the problem together and will try to resolve it as a united group of people.

Q: What are your next steps after graduation?

Tong is undecided on which university to attend, but would like to “try out new hobbies,” make new friends, and join clubs based on interests and her identity.

Kalwa plans to study business and will continue to play club tennis in college. She is not 100% committed to Indiana University, but it remains her top choice.
🍿 PREVIEW
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AFTER YANG: Premiering March 4

Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Justin H. Min star in Kogonada’s soulful sci-fi drama, AFTER YANG. The A24 film premieres in theaters and on Showtime March 4. 🎥 ** Watch the trailer and learn more. ([link removed])
📅 UPCOMING EVENTS
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February 22: Connecting Our Communities

Next Tuesday, OCA National Center, ALLvanza, and the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council will host an engaging conversation around how vulnerable communities can connect via the $14 billion Affordable Connectivity Program, which will replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit that currently helps to provide access to high-speed internet or wireless services to eligible households. 👉 ** Register now. ([link removed])
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🐅 February 27: OCA-OC Virtual Lunar New Year Event
Join OCA-Orange County for a unique event celebrating the Year of the Tiger on Sunday, February 27 between 2-5 PM PST! An interactive virtual space will be provided where you can move around, play games, and see live performances and demonstrations. ** RSVP here. ([link removed])

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March 15: Situational Awareness Workshop
OCA's Greater Houston chapter continues to host regular sessions to arm individuals with the education and tools to intervene as bystanders. The next free, 1.5-hour training on how to be a confident and effective bystander against anti-Asian hate is scheduled for March 15. ** Register here. ([link removed])

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March 18: Greater Seattle's Golden Circle Awards

Save the date for OCA-Greater Seattle's biggest event of the year, our Golden Circle Awards and Lunar New Year Celebration! We will honor Trang Tu, AAPI Against Hate, and Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action (PSARA) for their incredible contributions to the AAPI community at the Joy Palace Restaurant between 6-8 PM.

** 👉 Registration is not yet open, but you can subscribe here for updates. ([link removed])
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