Join us on Tuesday, October 20th at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT for our virtual workshop "All Hands on Deck: How You Can Get Involved in This Election Cycle and Beyond." No matter your knowledge or skill level, it's not too late for you to make a difference and help make sure everyone participates in their civic duty and constitutional right. In this workshop you'll learn the many ways you and your friends and family can get involved in this year's midterm elections and future election cycles.

About the Speaker

Jackie Wu is a practitioner-scholar, author, and consultant whose work sits at the intersection of election administration, democratic governance, and structural reform. She is a former election official, published author, IRG Fellow, and researcher whose practice bridges the operational machinery of government and the movements working to transform it — bringing the credibility of someone who has worked inside both. Jackie is the author of On the Front Lines of Democracy: An Election Official's Story of Protecting the Vote in 2020, a firsthand account of administering the most consequential and contested election in recent memory. The book has been endorsed by the California Secretary of State, national election administration leaders, and civic advocates across the country. Jackie writes at Power, Politics, and Potential on Substack, where she publishes essays on governance, democratic reform, and the structural forces shaping who has access to power and who does not.

Join us on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 for a 90-minute virtual workshop, co-hosted with Viet Fact Check, in which participants will learn about problematic information that exists both online and offline. We will share tools and strategies to help participants navigate overwhelming or potentially problematic information. This workshop was developed by scholars, journalists, and media producers who have been conducting community gatherings to better understand and address the wide spread of mis-/disinformation online, particularly among intergenerational immigrant and refugee communities. While this workshop does not aim to solve the complex and pervasive communication issues in our world today, the learnings and conversations will prepare participants to mediate polarizing information and problematic narratives.

HTTP, LGBT Tech, MMTC, and OCA invite you to our quarterly Lunch Tech Policy Briefing exploring the growing use and prevalence of data centers and their impact on communities.

Wednesday, September 30 | 12:00-1:30 PM
Doors open at 11:30 AM
1250 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036

Free to attend. Lunch will be provided.

Join us for a timely discussion bringing together issue experts to explore the policy issues surrounding data center development and buildout, including how these facilities affect communities and what policymakers should consider as the industry continues to grow.

We hope you’ll join us for this important conversation on the intersection of technology, policy, and community impact.

OCA Executive Director Thu Nguyen joins APIAVote, AAPI Data, AAJA, and NCAPA for the next installment of the Voices of AAPI Communities monthly briefing. Together, they'll take a deep dive into the latest survey findings from AAPI Data and AP-NORC on timely policy issues.

This month, the discussion will explore AAPI perspectives on the American Dream, citizenship rights, the nation's 250th anniversary, and more.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain data-driven insights into the diverse views within the AAPI community and how they may shape the landscape in 2026 and beyond. Reserve your spot today, and please share with your network!

OCA’s Executive Director, Thu Nguyen, will be speaking at this briefing on the latest survey findings shaping Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) policy priorities in 2026.

As economic pressures continue to rise and global instability impacts communities at home, new data shows AAPI voters are deeply concerned about affordability, healthcare costs, civil rights, and the direction of federal spending. This conversation will explore how these concerns translate into actionable policy priorities and what leaders and advocates can do next.

Hear from leading voices across the AAPI community as they break down key findings and connect them to urgent policy solutions impacting working families.

As the Supreme Court decision on birthright citizenship inches closer, this webinar will explore the legal and constitutional foundations of birthright citizenship in the United States, along with current challenges and ongoing litigation. The session will include a brief overview of recent developments, followed by a discussion with a legal scholar on the historical context, key court precedents, and broader implications of restricting birthright citizenship, and will conclude with an audience Q&A. 

You can also watch the two previous webinars in this series here.

Join advocates, issue experts, and industry representatives for an in-depth discussion on the 2026 policy landscape, including AI and data center buildout, spectrum, broadband affordability, and broadcast media. This event will provide valuable insights into the evolving tech and telecommunications space and its impact on communities and industry alike.

From exclusion laws to “foreign ownership” bans, bureaucracy has always been a border.

Join us for Paperwork as Power, the second event in our two-part History of Anti-AANHPI Laws and Legal Battles series.

From the Geary Act to the Alien Land Laws, learn how documents, data, and property restrictions turned suspicion into control, and how those systems still shape belonging today.

Who gets to belong and who decides?

Join us for Citizenship as Architecture, the first event in our two-part History of Anti-AANHPI Laws and Legal Battles series.

From the 1790 Naturalization Act to Wong Kim Ark, this conversation uncovers how American law built the very idea of citizenship through exclusion, loyalty, and race, and how those boundaries still shape belonging today.

Join us Thursday, October 9th at 7:30 PM ET for a virtual conversation with author Michelle Yang to discuss her memoir “Phoenix Girl: How a Fat Asian with Bipolar Found Love,” and themes of emigration, mental health, self-love, and healing.  

This event is co-hosted by the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association and OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates.

About the Book

After Michelle emigrates to the U.S. from the tight-knit ethnic Chinese enclave in Incheon, South Korea, she must adapt quickly to survive. With a dominant, impulsive father in charge—who protects the family from everyone but himself—and a mother who never finds her power, Michelle craves safety and security. 

Like tumbleweeds, Michelle and her family bump across the country in a Ford Dixie van before settling in Phoenix, Arizona. Working at their family-owned Chinese takeout restaurant by age 12, Michelle drowns in pressures beyond her age. 

Ultimately, Michelle finds love, not only the romantic kind, but an enduring self-love, which allows her to heal, never give up, and thrive while successfully managing what later becomes a bipolar 1 diagnosis.

“Phoenix Girl” is available to purchase wherever books are sold, and we encourage supporting indie and local bookstores or requesting a copy from your public library to help make it accessible to more people. (ISBN 13: 9781956697339).

About the Author

Michelle Yang is an advocate whose writings on the intersection of Asian American identity, body image, and mental health have been featured in NBC News, CNN, InStyle, and Reader’s Digest. Michelle has also been featured on NPR, Washington Post, and The Seattle Times for her advocacy. She loves exploring new parts of her new home state of Michigan with her family and smoking up the kitchen with spicy recipes. You can find her on michelleyangwriter.com or on Instagram @michelleyangwriter.

Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with us on Thursday, May 22 from 8:00–9:15 PM ET with a virtual book talk featuring Mia Wenjen, author of the powerful new picture book We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court. Recommended for ages 8 and up, the book tells the true story of musician Simon Tam’s years-long legal battle to reclaim his band’s name—culminating in a landmark Supreme Court decision that reshaped the conversation around free speech and anti-Asian racism in America. 

Register at bit.ly/ocareads2025. Attendees will have a chance to win a signed copy of the book!

About the Book

As a young boy, both in school and working in his family’s Chinese restaurant, Simon Tam faced racist taunts and verbal bullying.  Words were used as weapons. And from a young age, Simon understood how powerful they could be.   

When Simon decided to trademark the name of his band, The Slants®, he was denied. But it wasn’t the fact that he was denied that angered him, it was the reason why—because they deemed the name was racist. Words mattered, and he was reclaiming what was used against him all those years before. 

What followed was an up and down, eight-year landmark battle that would take him all the way to the Supreme Court—a fight that he fought to rout out structural anti-Asian racism in our government systems, and a fight for free speech that was worth fighting for. 

Recognition for We Sing From the Heart includes:  

• ALSC Notable Children’s Book 

• Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children 

• California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book 

• Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council) 

• Junior Library Guild Gold Selection 

Purchase your copy of "We Sing from the Heart" at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or Walmart.

About the Author

Mia Wenjen is half Japanese and half Chinese American and married to a Korean American. This unusual ethnic combination made her seek out all kinds of Asian representation in children's books for her three kids. She started a blog, PragmaticMom.com, to share her favorite books, and a nonprofit, Read Your World, to celebrate and give away diverse children’s books.  

Her debut picture book, Sumo Joe (Lee and Low, 2019) was selected as a Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year. She wrote Asian Pacific American Heroes for Scholastic (2020) and Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes as a Kickstarter pandemic project which was eventually sold to Scholastic. Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World (Barefoot Books) received a starred review from School Library Journal, is a Junior Library Guild Gold selection, and made Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best list, among other honors. 

We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court (Red Comet Press) and Boxer Baby (Eifrig Publishing) released in 2024. We Sing From the Heart is a Junior Library Guild Gold selection. The Traveling Taco, Barbed Wire Between Us, Fortune Cookies for Everyone, and Postcards from Malcolm X: How Yuri Kochiyama Became a Civil Rights Activist (Red Comet Press) release in 2025 and 2026. Follow her @pragmaticmom on social media. 

APABA-DC, along with its community partners, invites you to join us for our tenth annual trial re-enactment and reception at the D.C. Court of Appeals Historic Court House. This year will feature 14 federal and local AAPI judges re-enacting Chy Lung v. Freeman, an 1875 Supreme Court case about 22 Chinese women who were detained by Californian immigration authorities as “lewd women”, because they had sailed to the United States without their husbands. Their case resulted in landmark decisions affirming the due process rights of immigrants, and the immigration powers of the federal government.

Both the reenactment and the accompanying reception will be at the D.C. Court of Appeals Historic Courthouse located at 430 E Street NW. Please plan to arrive at the Courthouse no later than 5:45 pm to clear security.  The door to the ceremonial courtroom will open shortly after 6 pm, the reception will follow the re-enactment.

This event, and the accompanying reception, is free, but registration is required: https://www.apaba-dc.org/event-6132114/Registration.

Join us for an intimate conversation with Susan Lieu as she shares insights from her memoir, The Manicurist's Daughter. Discover the powerful story of resilience, family, and identity as Susan reflects on her journey growing up as the daughter of Vietnamese refugees. This event will take place at American University on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with Susan and hear her inspiring story firsthand!

Join us for an inspiring evening featuring Vietnamese American storyteller Susan Lieu and award-winning filmmaker Elizabeth Ai. Through their unique lenses, they explore themes of identity, resilience, and intergenerational trauma. Susan Lieu, known for her powerful solo performances and memoir The Manicurist's Daughter, delves into personal narratives of loss and healing. Elizabeth Ai, celebrated for her documentary New Wave, captures the vibrant spirit of 1980s Vietnamese American youth culture while addressing deeper cultural and emotional layers. Together, they offer a compelling dialogue on storytelling, heritage, and the power of art to bridge generations.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the American/Vietnam War this year, join us on Saturday, April 5th, 2025 to honor and commemorate Southeast Asians in the United States with a screening of New Wave (2024). This feature-length documentary highlights a filmmaker's journey to capture the spirit of electrified Vietnamese American immigrants and refugees in the 1980s, featuring themes of immigrant motherhood and intergenerational trauma.

Come to meet the maker of the film, Elizabeth Ai, hear her personal experiences with a Q&A session, and have your copy of her book, New Wave: Rebellion and Reinvention in the Vietnamese Diaspora (available for purchase here!) SIGNED!

Then join us for an after party at Wild Days (Eaton DC) Rooftop, 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005 featuring DC's own Les the DJ to immerse and experience New Wave music yourself the way it was meant to!

Join us for an engaging and heartfelt event that shines a light on the mental health challenges faced by adoptees without citizenship. Together, we will explore the emotional toll of legal uncertainty, the stress of potential deportation, and the barriers to accessing essential benefits—all of which profoundly impact the well-being of many in the adoptee community. Whether you are an adoptee, a friend or ally, or simply seeking to learn more, this is an opportunity to connect, heal, and contribute to a brighter future for all. Your presence matters.

Join us for an insightful discussion on the first 100 days of the Second Trump Administration and its impact on the innovation ecosystem. Our panel of experts will share their expectations, perspectives, and analysis of the administration's priorities and actions in this critical sector.

Join us for an enlightening and transformative event focused on understanding and healing intergenerational trauma. This event will explore the profound impact of trauma across generations and offer pathways to promote well-being and resilience.

Our distinguished speakers, Kristen Jiin Park, Ed.M. (she/her) and Calvin Wei Ting Lee, M.A. (he/him/his), will share their expertise and insights on the complexities of intergenerational trauma and the healing process. Through their engaging presentations, attendees will gain valuable knowledge and practical strategies to foster healing and well-being within their communities and families.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and embark on a journey of healing across generations!

Join us for an informative session on the latest developments in the Congressional infrastructure plan and its impact on modernizing telecommunications infrastructure nationwide. Industry leaders, regulators, and policy experts will discuss progress on key initiatives, share effective deployment strategies, evaluate funding allocations, and address current implementation challenges with solutions to keep the plan on course.

Join us for the OCA National Internship Program's 35th Birthday Bash on Wednesday, November 13th, 2024 at Luna Hall DC (625 H St NW Unit 103, Washington, DC 20001) from 6:00-8:00 PM.

Celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the OCA National Internship Program with an after-work happy hour!
📅 RSVP using the QR code or at bit.ly/ocanip35

Join us for an inspiring and impactful evening on Monday, Oct. 28 at 7 PM ET for a special election edition of DJ the Vote, featuring AANHPI advocate and rapper @jasonchumusic! This unique event combines civic engagement with musical celebration, bringing together the AANHPI community to make a difference in the upcoming elections.

The upcoming November election could significantly impact the sustainability and growth of the innovation ecosystem. What will this ecosystem look like under a new Democratic or Republican administration? Which policies will be prioritized?

Join us on September 10th from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. to hear from political and policy experts from various perspectives as they present potential scenarios and approaches for this ecosystem under both administrations.

Join us on Sunday, August 4th at 2 PM to explore Dr. @sarahsoonling’s book, “Exclusion and the Chinese American History”! Discover the hidden stories of Chinese American history and bring your questions for an engaging discussion and book signing with the author!

Moving Underserved Communities Forward Event Series: Diversity in Media

May 29, 2024

Doors Open: 11:30 AM

Event Time: 12 PM - 1:30 PM (Lunch Provided)

Location:

National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)

1 M Street SE

Washington, D.C. 20003

Please join ALLvanza, the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC), LGBT Tech and OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates for a dynamic discussion on diversity in media and programming. Our panelists will discuss the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in the industry, share strategies for increasing inclusivity, and highlight the profound impact of diverse media representation on shaping societal perceptions. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and to learn how we can all collaborate to build a media ecosystem that is more inclusive and equitable.

Chinese Americans in Hollywood: A Virtual Conversation with Authors William Gow and Katie Gee Salisbury

Date: May 22, 2024

Time: 8 PM - 9:30 PM ET

Location: Zoom

Chinese Americans have been involved in the movie business since its earliest days, whether as extras, leading actors like Anna May Wong and Keye Luke, or Oscar-winning cinematographers like James Wong Howe. Join us virtually on May 22nd at 8 PM ET for a presentation on Chinese Americans in early Hollywood with William Gow, author of Performing Chinatown: Hollywood, Tourism, and the Making of a Chinese American Community, and Katie Gee Salisbury, author of Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong, followed by conversation and audience questions, moderated by Jenny Cho.

Those in attendance will have a chance to receive free copies of William Gow and Katie Gee Salisbury’s books! Use the code GOW20 to receive 20% off your purchase of “Performing Chinatown” when ordering directly from Stanford University Press.

This event is co-hosted by OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates, OCA-Greater Washington, D.C. chapter, and 1882 Foundation.

Questions? Contact Kent Tong at kent.tong@ocanational.org.

About "Performing Chinatown: Hollywood, Tourism, and the Making of a Chinese American Community" by William Gow

In 1938, China City opened near downtown Los Angeles. Featuring a recreation of the House of Wang set from MGM's The Good Earth, this new Chinatown employed many of the same Chinese Americans who performed as background extras in the 1937 film. Chinatown and Hollywood represented the two primary sites where Chinese Americans performed racial difference for popular audiences during the Chinese exclusion era. In Performing Chinatown, historian William Gow argues that Chinese Americans in Los Angeles used these performances in Hollywood films and in Chinatown for tourists to shape widely held understandings of race and national belonging during this pivotal chapter in U.S. history.

Performing Chinatown conceives of these racial representations as intimately connected to the restrictive immigration laws that limited Chinese entry into the U.S. beginning with the 1875 Page Act and continuing until the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. At the heart of this argument are the voices of everyday people including Chinese American movie extras, street performers, and merchants. Drawing on more than 40 oral history interviews as well as research in more than a dozen archival and family collections, this book retells the long-overlooked history of the ways that Los Angeles Chinatown shaped Hollywood and how Hollywood, in turn, shaped perceptions of Asian American identity.

Performing Chinatown will be released May 14, 2024. You can pre-order the book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Thriftbooks, and Walmart. Use the code GOW20 to receive 20% off your purchase of Performing Chinatown when ordering directly from Stanford University Press.

About the Author

William Gow is an Assistant Professor at California State University, Sacramento, and a community historian with the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, a non-profit in Los Angeles Chinatown.

About "Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong" by Katie Gee Salisbury

Before Constance Wu, Sandra Oh, Awkwafina, or Lucy Liu, there was Anna May Wong. In her time, she was a legendary beauty, witty conversationalist, and fashion icon. Plucked from her family’s laundry business in Los Angeles, Anna May Wong rose to stardom in Douglas Fairbanks’s blockbuster The Thief of Bagdad. Fans and the press clamored to see more of this unlikely actress, but when Hollywood repeatedly cast her in stereotypical roles, she headed abroad in protest.
 
Anna May starred in acclaimed films in Berlin, Paris, and London. She dazzled royalty and heads of state across several nations, leaving trails of suitors in her wake. She returned to challenge Hollywood at its own game by speaking out about the industry’s blatant racism. She used her new stature to move away from her typecasting as the China doll or dragon lady, and worked to reshape Asian American representation in film.
 
Filled with stories of capricious directors and admiring costars, glamorous parties and far-flung love affairs, Not Your China Doll showcases the vibrant, radical life of a groundbreaking artist.

Not Your China Doll is now available. You can purchase the book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Bookshop.org, Hudson Booksellers, Powell's, Target, and Walmart.

About the Author

Katie Gee Salisbury has spoken and written about Anna May Wong on MSNBC, in the New York Times and in Vanity Fair. She also writes the newsletter Half-Caste Woman. She was a 2021 Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship finalist and gave the TED Talk “As American as Chop Suey.” A fifth-generation Chinese American from Southern California, she now lives in Brooklyn. This is her first book.