View this email in your browser

OCA-UPS GOLD MOUNTAIN SCHOLARSHIPS

We are now accepting applications for the 2023 OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarships! $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to first-gen AAPI high school students who will be graduating high school this year and starting college this fall, and $2,500 scholarships will be awarded to first-gen AAPI college students who will be starting their senior year of college/university this fall.

The deadline to apply is March 31, 2023 at 11:59 PM PT.
Learn more and apply at ocanational.org/scholarships.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
UPDATES
OCA Summer Internship Program

The priority deadline to apply for the 2023 OCA Summer Internship Program has now passed. However, the final deadline to apply is February 12th at 11:59 PM PT. Applicants who apply after the priority deadline will only be considered if we have not already filled all of the internship spots from the pool of priority applicants. Learn more and apply at ocanational.org/internships.
 
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
$200K for 5G innovations from CTIA Wireless Foundation

Last week, CTIA Wireless Foundation launched its fourth annual Catalyst competition, seeking emerging social entrepreneurs using the power of 5G and leading-edge wireless technologies. Up to six applicants addressing challenges in American communities will receive unrestricted grants and non-financial benefits, including a first-place award of $100,000!
VISIT WEBSITE
ACCEPT CHALLENGE
2022 Winners
Watch how this funding opportunity has helped these early-stage social entrepreneurs use wireless to tackle society’s most pressing challenges.

Join the Webinars
Catalyst will host two 45-minute webinars to explain all the details for applying and answer any questions from the community or prospective applicants.
 
2/23/23 @ 3:00 - 3:45 pm ET
What They're Looking for
Catalyst supports bold innovators addressing our country’s biggest challenges that often impact marginalized populations the most. 5G and leading-edge wireless technology must be integral to the applicant’s solution. Organizations whose leadership primarily comprises BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), women, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Here is the full Catalyst Call for Submissions, and the deadline to enter is March 7, 2023, at 11:59 pm ET.
Intern Alumni Directory Form

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. If you are a former OCA National internship program participant, please complete this form. Any questions can be directed to [email protected].
 
AAPI Digital Access Survey

Internet access has become a civil rights issue - we want to advocate for digital equity by listening to our AAPI communities. Specifically, we want to understand where and how AAPIs have internet access.
 
The collected data will be used to bridge the digital divide among the AAPI community by informing legislators, policy makers, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and other stakeholders.
 
Help us create a disaggregated data set and challenge the model minority myth that most AAPIs have stable, high-speed internet and have technology devices!
 
Participants can enter a raffle to earn a $100 Amazon gift card after they take the survey.
 
 
Please take the survey first, and share it with your family, friends, colleagues, and peers – especially those with limited internet access.
 
If you have any questions or concerns, please send an email to our Broadband Access and Digital Equity Fellow, Yen Jeong.
TAKE THE SURVEY

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.

Read this edition in full at ocanational.org/image.

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.

Learn more at bit.ly/ocacon22.

News — OCA Applauds Biden Administration on Launch of National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for AAANHPI Communities

OCA joins APIAVote and other AANHPI communities across the country in congratulating the WHIAANHPI on the release of their report.

Read more here.

News — OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates Issues Statement Following Shooting in Monterey Park, California

OCA stands with the Greater Los Angeles community in a statement following the Monterey Park shooting.

News — OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates Reacts to New Video of Tyre Nichols’ Death by Law Enforcement

Washington, DC– OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates, released the following statement in the wake of another death by police brutality in Memphis, TN.

Read more here.
Lunar New Year Celebration at the White House
Last week, OCA's Executive Director Thu Nguyen, alongside our friends and fellow community partners, was invited to the first ever Lunar New Year celebration at The White House. Watch a recording of the reception here.
Dear Asian Youth Day
On Friday, January 27th, Dear Asian Youth (DAY) hosted DAY Day all across the country, in which nearly 80 DAY members met with local legislators to advocate for voting rights, gun control, environmental protection, and racial equity policies. And special thanks to our partners at the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) for helping us prepare DAY members for DAY Day!
POLICY CORNER

K-12 AANHPI Curriculum Project

  • FOLLOW and SHARE our Instagram where we post a majority of our content! @k12aanhpi_project
  • VISIT our Linktree and donate to our project, sign our petition, and visit our website to learn more about our project in-depth!
If you have any questions, please email OCA's Executive Director Thu Nguyen.
CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT
OCA-San Mateo
 
On January 27, 2023, San Mateo OCA held a press conference on the Half Moon Bay tragedy and San Mateo OCA's response and call to action.  SMOCA received numerous inquiries from local media regarding the tragic shootings. Along with the San Mateo County API Caucus,  San Mateo OCA held a joint press conference to denounce the  violence and hate, and to advocate for more mental health access and culturally appropriate resources in different Asian languages. Community leaders and elected government officials from the local and state level spoke passionately about the need for preventing gun violence and the need for improving work and living conditions for farmworkers. San Mateo OCA's statements were broadcasted on KGO-TV and in the San Francisco Chronicle which is syndicated across the nation.

Attached are the press release, a video of the newscast, and the SF Chronicle article.
OCA-Fairfield County
 
About 100 people, including elected officials, students, the AAPI community and religious leaders attended the Jan. 24 Vigil at the Legislative Office Building, Capitol in Hartford, CT to remember and honor the victims of two mass shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay during the celebration of the Lunar New Year, Year of the Rabbit (Cat) near Los Angeles, CA.

Read the article here.
OCA-Utah
 
OCA Utah is proud to announce the release of our 'Director's Choice', a compilation of our board of directors' choice Asian Pacific Islander-owned food-related businesses in the state of Utah. Check out the full album on facebook.com/ocautah or Instagram @ocautah
OCA-Wisconsin
 
OCA-Wisconsin rang in the Lunar New Year with a luncheon for members, families and friends.
 
EVENTS + OPPORTUNITIES
February 4: Rally Against Hate - Lantern Parade For Inclusion
 
INVITATION: join us to fight hate!

Time: Saturday, Feb 4 at 10 am
Place: Southwest corner lawn of Waterfront Park, by the intersection of N Harbor & W Ash.
What: Rally with speakers followed by Lantern Parade along Harbor Dr. , ending at the intersection of Market & The Third.

Parade Route:
N Harbor Dr, southbound toward Convention Center -> turn left to Market St -> end at Third St
* Tom Hom, a San Diego legend, will lead the parade.
* Free lantern while supplies last.
* New Anna May Wong coin for the first 100 participants.
* San Diego Chinese New Year Fair (SDCNY.org) will be held at Tom Hom St, the Third St between Market and J on Feb 4-5.

This event is organized by the Organization of Chinese Americans of San Diego (OCASD) in collaboration with the following organizations:
- San Diego Chinese Historical Museum (SDCHM)
- Chinese Cultural Center (CCC) of SDSU
- San Diego API Coalition
- Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
- Encinitas4Equality (E4E)
- North County Equity & Justice Coalition
- Queer Asian Pacific Asian Pacific, Islander Middle Eastern Desi American (AAPI MEDA)
- North County LGBTQ Resource Center (NCRC)
- Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)
- Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center
- TransFamily Support Services (TFSS)
- Alliance of Chinese Americans San Diego (ACASD)

February 4: Lantern Festival
On 2/4/2023, ACA will host a Lantern Festival featuring a lantern contest, riddle games, food tasting, and much more at ACA's Chinese Community Center in Madison Heights, Michigan from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. We sincerely invite all community members and supporting organizations to participate in the celebration with our vibrant Chinese American community! Join us to learn about ACA and the traditions of Chinese New Year culture. Feel free to contact us should you be interested in learning more about our vendor program or sponsor program.

Click here to RSVP.

February 18: Lunar New Year Banquet
On 2/18/2023, ACA will host a Chinese New Year Fundraising Dinner at Golden Harvest Restaurant from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm featuring a 10-course traditional Chinese New Year Dinner with cultural presentations. All the proceeds from this event will contribute to ACA’s 50th Anniversary Capital Campaign. We sincerely invite all community members and supporting organizations to participate in the celebration of the most significant holiday in Chinese culture! This is a unique opportunity to experience the traditions of the Chinese New Year celebration and network with the Chinese American community.

Click here to RSVP.
GIVE TO OCA
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
OCA National Website
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 © 2023 OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates, All rights reserved.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.