Over 600 attended the Organization of Chinese Americans’ annual National Convention and 35th Anniversary celebration on July 31 through August 3 in Washington, D.C.
“This Convention successfully captured OCA’s accomplishments of the past 35 years and kicked off the next 35 years of advocacy and service to the APA community because we partnered with some of the great leaders of the social justice and business communities and provided a forum for our communities voices for progress to be heard,” said OCA National President Ginny Gong, the group’s national president.
A welcome reception featured Labor Secretary Elaine Chao as the keynote speaker, while Dr. Franklin Odo, director of the Asian Pacific American Program at the Smithsonian, welcomed visitors to a private viewing of the National Museum of the American Indian on the evening of the group’s awards gala.
Award recipients were film actress Nancy Kwan, American Taekwondo pioneer Grandmaster Jhoon Ree, OCA co-founder K.L. Wang and filmmaker Arthur Dong.
High-school and college students participated in the College Leadership Summit and Youth Leadership Training events. These events offered skill building and dialogue for the students, focusing on identity issues, empowerment, communication skills, leadership development, activism, politics and career choices.
A panel titled “How to Make Your First Million: From Entrepreneur to CEO” discussed issues that APAs face in various business environments. Several successful entrepreneurs shared their experience becoming CEOs while recognizing unique challenges.
Another workshop tackled the history of Asian women in the United States and the importance of sharing and preserving their stories.
OCA also convened the first ever OCA Internship Alumni Summit. Former interns from as far back as 1988 learned about a new national mentorship program that will pair up-and-coming APA leaders with established community members.
Founded in 1973, OCA is a national organization with more than 80 chapters and college affiliates around the country.