OCA - East Bay Chapter

OCA Accepting Applications for 2012 Summer Internship Program

2012-01-21T14:14:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. – OCA, a national organization dedicated to advancing the political, social, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs), is now accepting applications for its 2012 Summer Internship Program.

Celebrating its 23rd year, the OCA Internship Program seeks to cultivate future leadership by providing students from all over the country an opportunity to be involved in the political process through one of the largest national advocacy organization for APAs. The program has successfully led past interns to become more actively involved in their college campuses and joined the growing movement of APA leadership at the cross section of government, nonprofits, and business.

“As one of OCA’s prestigious programs, the Summer Internship is truly a unique experience. It exposes students to issues affecting the APA community while gaining valuable working experience in the heart of Washington DC,” said Tom Hayashi, Interim Executive Director of OCA.

Participants of this program will be placed in a paid internship in a federal agency, nonprofit, congressional offices, and corporations that matches their backgrounds and interests—including some placements at the OCA National Center. In addition to their work assignments, summer interns will be heavily involved in variety of activities and programming including direct advocacy for critical issues faced by APAs on the Hill.

The OCA Internship Program gave me an opportunity to truly experience DC - meeting members of Congress, national leaders in the AAPI community, and other AAPI interns from across the country. It was a crash course on how organizations like OCA advocate for the APA community at the national level.

"I also learned a lot about myself, my peers, and my community. During that summer, I realized that we needed to have a seat at the table whenever policy is being developed, no matter if it is at the local, state, or federal level.

We need more Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders: The OCA Internship Program is a pipeline for that."

--Bryan Jung, OCA Intern Class of 2002
Previously with the White House as the Director of Special Projects for the office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, currently a graduate student at Kennedy School of Government and Harvard Business School.

"My OCA internship experience was singularly responsible for introducing me to the world of AAPI activism. From serving as an officer for the Chinese American Students Association in college to founding and running Asian Americans for Obama to my infamous experience testifying before the Texas legislature and Representative Betty Brown, these steps of my journey began with OCA."

--Ramey Ko, Internship Class of 1999
Municipal Judge of Austin, Texas

In addition to connecting interns with the APA community and developing their leadership skills, summer interns are invited to take part in the OCA National Convention. This year’s National Convention will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada from August 2 – 5 at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. The Convention will feature inspirational speakers, thrilling entertainment, numerous workshops, and our signature gala to celebrate the impactful and pioneering achievements of community leaders.

Interns are expected to commit to working full-time for ten weeks between the dates of May 28 – August 17, 2012. (Participation in the National Convention is mandatory and applicants are strongly encouraged to make sure they are able to attend.) Applications will be reviewed by the Internship Committee and a telephone interview will be scheduled for qualified applicants.

For more information on the OCA Summer Internship and to apply, go to OCA’s website at www.ocanational.org and click “Internship” under “Programs.” Click here to take you directly to the online application form. Applications and all materials need to be submitted by March 12, 2012.

Please contact the OCA National Center at 202.223.5500 or email Mary Dynne Montante at mmontante@ocanational.org if you have any questions.

Your journey towards empowerment and fulfillment for your personal best starts with the OCA Summer Internship…apply today!

OCA-East Bay Community Luncheon with Port of Oakland Executive Director Omar Benjamin

2011-11-09T16:30:00.000-08:00

Please join OCA-East Bay for its upcoming community luncheon featuring Omar Benjamin, Executive Director of the Port of Oakland. This is a great opportunity to hear from one of the West Coast's most respected authorities on global commerce and Oakland's role in it. Omar has been with the Port of Oakland since 1997 and is currently the most senior offical at the Port. He will be sharing his thoughts on the direction of the City and Port, current events regarding business and trade, and some very timely thoughts on the latest protests and how the Port and City are/will be impacted. Space is limited so please rsvp to myself or Millicent Williams: (415)-392-9688 or mlwilliams@chsconsulting.net so that we may reserve a seat for you.

OCA-EAST BAY CHAPTER

2011 COMMUNITY LUNCHEON

An intimate conversation

With members & friends of the Asian American Community

Omar R. Benjamin

Port of Oakland Exective Director

An update on Oakland and it’s role in Global Commerce

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

11:30am - 1:30pm

Luncheon starts at noon.

Restaurant Peony (back room)

Pacific Renaissance Plaza, Suite 288

388 9th Street, Oakland , CA 94607

Between Franklin and Webster

Cost is $25/person (includes lunch)

Space is limited; please RSVP by 11/14/2011 to:

Millicent Williams: (415)-392-9688 or mlwilliams@chsconsulting.net

Visit our website for more information

On the event and on OCA -East Bay

www.ocaeastbay.org

Walmart to Receive 2011 Outstanding Corporate Partner Award at OCA National Asian Pacific American Corporate Achievement Awards

2011-09-26T11:20:00.001-07:00

Walmart to Receive 2011 Outstanding Corporate Partner Award at OCA National Asian Pacific American Corporate Achievement Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

26 September 2011

CONTACT

Victoria J. Rumsey | Director of Development

202 223 5500 | vrumsey@ocanational.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – OCA, a national organization dedicated to advancing the political, social, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs), announces that Walmart will receive OCA’s 2011 Outstanding Corporate Partner Award at this year’s 20^th Anniversary of the National Asian Pacific American Corporate Achievement Awards on Friday, October 7. The Corporate Achievement Award will be held at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC.

“Throughout the years, Walmart has been one of OCA’s most valued and dedicated partners continually supporting our work in the community and within our local OCA chapters,” said OCA National President Ken Lee. “We are proud to present them with this year’s 2011 Corporate Partner Award.”

Walmart continues to demonstrate its commitment to diversity and to OCA’s mission. For more than ten years, Walmart has participated not only in OCA’s signature events such as the Annual National Convention and National Asian Pacific American Corporate Achievement Awards, but has also provided OCA with funding for local health and wellness programs. The Walmart Foundation also contributes to OCA’s Internship Program which enables more than 20 interns a year to experience a rigorous ten week program exposing first generation APA college students to DC’s political and professional world. Walmart is also a member of OCA’s Business Advisory Council, a vital link between OCA and the business community, providing financial, professional, and strategic guidance to OCA.

OCA’s National Asian Pacific American Corporate Achievement Awards is the first national program of its kind to recognize corporate achievement and service by celebrating the perseverance and leadership of APA corporate employees. Honorees are first nominated by their respective employers and then selected by a panel of judges. This year OCA will be celebrating its 20^th Anniversary of this event and will honor eight APA employees from the corporate sector. For more information about the Corporate Achievement Awards please visit www.ocanational.org.

OCA-Sacramento's Small Business Education Summit

2011-08-22T13:39:00.001-07:00

OCA-Sacramento is hosting a Small Business Education Summit on September 22nd. There's no cost for attendees but please RSVP to Lngjmh@sbcglobal.net as soon as possible.

A's Game Fundraiser for the Chinatown Youth Center Initiative/The Spot

2011-07-05T12:19:00.001-07:00

CYCI/The Spot Summer Fundraiser at the A’s Game

Sunday, July 31st 1:05pm
$25/Seat for Lower Box
(*Normally priced at $30)

INSTRUCTIONS TO PURCHASE TICKETS:
- Tickets can be ordered through CYCI staffperson Michael Lok, mlok@sf.nccd-crc.org , 510-208-0500 x334. The Spot will not guarantee tickets on the day of. We need a final count on tickets by Friday, July 15th.
- Tickets can be purchased via Cash or Check (Checks made payable to Asian Health Services, directed to
“Chinatown Youth Center Initiative” in the memo line. The Spot would like to collect all payments by July 27th
- These will be physical tickets, so you will need to either (1) provide a mailing address, or (2) pick them up at the National Council on Crime and Delinquency at 1970 Broadway, Suite 500, otherwise we will leave the ticket under you name at Will Call on the day of.
- We will have a cancellation policy of 72 hours before game.

SPONSORING YOUTH TO ATTEND:

If you cannot attend but would still like to support you can sponsor tickets for youth to go. After the July 15^th deadline we will know how many sponsored tickets there are and we will distribute them among some of our partnering organizations.

You can learn about the recent developments of The Spot by looking at our recent factsheet: http://tinyurl.com/3ptzgxm

There is a Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=214363635267687

We hope to see you there or that you could spread the word to your friends who are A’s fans!

CYCI Planning Committee: Alameda County Supervisor Alice Lai Bitker (through Dec. 2010), Asian Health Services (fiscal agent), Community Health for Asian Americans, National Council on Crime and Delinquency, Oakland Asian Cultural Center, Youth Movement Records

CYCI Members and Supporters: Alameda County Probation Department, Alameda County Public Health Department, Asian/Pacific Islander Youth Promoting Advocacy and Leadership, Assemblymember Sandré Swanson, Banteay Srei, Bay Area Legal Aid, East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation, East Bay Asian Youth Center, Oakland Asian Students Educational Services, Oakland City Councilmember Patricia Kernighan

Reception for Alan Yee

2011-06-13T08:25:00.000-07:00

OCA-East Bay and the Asian American community invite you to a "Community Reception Honoring Newly Appointed Port of Oakland Commissioner Alan Yee"

Alan Yee is an accomplished attorney and dedicated community leader who was recently appointed to the Port Commission by Mayor Quan and unanimously confirmed by the Oakland City Council. The Port Commission oversees the management and operations of the Sea Port and the Oakland International Airport.

Wednesday, June 29th 5:30 to 7pm

Restaurant Peony, 388 9th St (Suite 288)

$20 per person, Appetizers and light refreshments included

Checks can be made payable to “OCA-East Bay”

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Suzie Lee

at suzie@yhla.net or 510-836-6688

Community sponsors include:

*Asian Employees Association at the Port of Oakland

*Asian Health Services

*Asian Pacific Environmental Network

*Chinatown Youth Center Initiative/The Spot

*East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation

*Family Bridges

*Frank Kiang Memorial Foundation

*Oakland Asian Cultural Center

*Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce

*Oakland Chinatown Lions Club

*Wa Sung Service Club

Reminder of OCA's Spring Networking Mixer on Wednesday, June 15th at Liege, 481 9th Street 5:30 to 8pm

OCA-East Spring Mixer on Wednesday June 15th

2011-05-28T14:33:00.000-07:00

OCA Thanks Goodwin Liu for Courageous Fight to Fill Judicial Emergency

2011-05-20T09:22:00.001-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

20 May 2011

CONTACT

George C. Wu | Executive Director

202 223 5500 | gwu@ocanational.org

WASHINGTON - OCA, a national Asian Pacific American (APA) social justice organization, is severely disappointed in yesterday's failed cloture petition to give Goodwin Liu a fair vote on the merits of his nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Over 400 days after his initial nomination, Liu and his supporters from both sides of the political spectrum were denied an up-or-down vote by a minority of Senators.

"When the democratic systems fails to give a highly qualified nominee, to a seat deemed a judicial emergency in the U.S., a basic up-or-down vote, we all lose," said OCA Executive Director George C. Wu. "OCA thanks Goodwin Liu for his tireless efforts to serve the people of the United States as a judge and for the inspiration for civic engagement his nomination provided for the APA community."

Yesterday's vote on the petition for cloture – which would have ended debate and allowed for a full Senate vote on Liu’s merits – did not get the 60 votes required to end debate. Fifty-two Senators voted to end debate to forty-three nays; with one Senator voting present and four Senators not voting. A simple majority of votes is needed for a vote on the merits of a judicial nomination.

Liu is an Associate Dean and Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. An acclaimed scholar, teacher, and lawyer, with experience in both the private and public sectors, Liu is a nationally-recognized expert on constitutional law and education law and policy.

Prior to joining the Berkeley faculty in 2003, Liu was an associate at O'Melveny & Myers in Washington, D.C. He clerked for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and for Judge David S. Tatel on the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Between his clerkships, Liu served as a Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education. He has also worked for the Corporation for National Service, where he helped launch the AmeriCorps program.

Liu was born in Augusta, Georgia, to parents who emigrated from Taiwan, and he grew up in Sacramento where he attended public schools. Liu earned a B.S. from Stanford University, an M.A from Oxford (where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar), and a J.D. from Yale Law School

White House Initiative on AA/PIs: Presentation on the 2010 Census and the AA and NHPI Populations

2011-05-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: A Webinar and audio conference have been added to the presentation. Please find details below.

Please join us for a presentation on what the 2010 Census numbers reveal about the Asian population and the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population. According to the latest census numbers, the Asian population grew faster than any other major race group - increasing 43 percent from 2000 to 2010.

Demographers from the U.S. Census Bureau will discuss this rapid growth, and provide insights to distributions of the Asian and Pacific Islander populations across the country. They also will preview upcoming Census data that offer more detailed ethnic breakdowns of the Asian and Pacific Islander populations.

WHAT:

An analysis of the 2010 Census statistics on the Asian population and the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population; a question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.

WHEN:

Thursday, May 19, 2011

12:00 -1:30 pm (EDT)

WHO:

Nicholas A. Jones, Chief, Racial Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau

Sonya Rastogi, Demographer, Racial Statistics Branch, U.S. Census Bureau

WHERE:

U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Ave. SW

Washington, DC 20202

Please note: Space is limited. Please RSVP by 5 pm Tuesday, May 17, 2011 to Eun Kim at eun.k.kim@ed.gov or at (202)384-7937 if you plan to attend.

WEBINAR INFORMATION

To view the presentation online:
1. Go to https://educate.webex.com/educate/k2/j.php?ED=146951067&UID=1163285427&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D
2. Enter your name and email address.
3. Enter the session password: welcome1
4. Click "Join Now".
5. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.

To listen to the presentation:

Dial in: 800-857-9848

Participant password: EDUCATE

Diablo Valley JACL's Tsunami Relief & School Classroom Supply Drive

2011-05-18T11:02:00.000-07:00

IT’S BOWL-A-THON TIME!
Tsunami Relief & School Classroom Supply Drive

Please distribute widely!

By popular demand, once again, Diablo Valley JACL’s Bowl-A-Thon is back! This year, we will be dividing the profits from the bowl-a-thon: 75-25% between Japan tsunami relief and providing school supplies for classrooms at a local elementary school (Bel Air Elementary in Bay Point, CA).

WHEN: May 22, 2011

BOWLING - Diablo Lanes 1500 Monument Blvd. Concord, CA. Registration starts at 9:30 am; Bowling 10 am to noon

LUNCH –: China Wall Restaurant (BUFFET LUNCH) at 12:15 pm - 1673 Willow Pass Rd., Concord (in Park n Shop Center)

Your registration cost of $40 per person (or 2 for $70) covers bowling, lunch and donation to the fund-raising. We also ask if you can, please get people to sponsor you or donate to the fundraiser. We are also happily accepting school supply donations at the event. Diablo Valley JACL is a 501 (c ) 3 non-profit and your donation is tax deductible.

RSVP to Tomoko Roudebush at (925) 817-8177 or email: tomokoroudebush@yahoo.com

2011-05-14T23:14:00.001-07:00

Join OCA-East Bay for a luncheon with Oakland City Auditor Courtney Ruby on Friday, June 3rd, 12 noon.

Restaurant Peony (back room)

Pacific Renaissance Plaza, Suite 288

388 9th Street, Oakland, CA 94607

Between Franklin and Webster

Cost of Lunch $25/person

Space is limited, please RSVP by 5/27/2011 to:

Suzie Lee: (510)-836-6688 or suzie@yhla.net

2011-05-13T11:59:00.000-07:00

Early Bird Registration has begun for the 2011 OCA National Convention in New York City

OCA Members and Supporters from all over the country will converge to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Asian Pacific Americans.

Click the logo for more information about registration, hotels, and airfare.

OCA Accepting Scholarship Applications for Fall 2011

2011-01-11T20:41:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

11 Jan 2011

CONTACT

Mary Kong | Program Assistant

202 223 5500 | mkong@ocanational.org

Washington DC – OCA, a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, economic, and political well-being of Asian Pacific Americans, is pleased to announce that it is accepting 2011 applications for the OCA-AXA Achievement, OCA-UPS Gold Mountain, and OCA-Verizon College scholarships. Each scholarship is valued at $2,000 and is nonrenewable. Applications for all scholarships are due by April 4, 2011.

“For over 10 years, OCA has been providing scholarship assistance to those with financial need, who otherwise may not have the opportunity to attend college,” said Ken Lee, OCA National President. “OCA is proud to be able to recognize students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to academic achievement and civil engagement.”

In order to be eligible for the OCA-UPS Gold Mountain and OCA-AXA scholarships, students must be a current Asian Pacific American (APA) high school senior entering their first year of college, demonstrate financial need, be a permanent resident or U.S. citizen, and have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale). OCA-UPS Gold Mountain scholarship is intended for APA students who are the first person in their family to attend an institution of higher education. The OCA-AXA scholarship is geared for students who have dedicated time to community service and demonstrated leadership ability.

Current undergraduates who are studying technical majors and are entering their third or fourth year in college may apply for the OCA-Verizon College scholarship. Applications for the OCA-Verizon College Scholarships must be submitted online.

For more information, or to download the application, please visit www.ocanational.org.

OCA-EB Fall Mixer Scheduled for 10/19

2010-10-15T22:05:00.000-07:00

Come and meet OCA - East Bay members! All are welcome! Tell a friend!

What: OCA- East Bay Fall Mixer
When: Tuesday, October 19th 5-8pm
Where: SOMAR Bar - 1727 Telegraph Avenue, in Oakland's Uptown District

2010-10-15T21:21:00.000-07:00

OCA - East Bay Oakland Mayoral Forum 2010 A Success!

See full story here: Candidates reach out to Oakland’s Asian community

2010-10-06T22:19:00.000-07:00

OCA - East Bay and the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce presents an Oakland Mayoral Forum: Focusing on the needs of Asian Pacific Americans.

Date: Monday, October 11, 2010

Time: 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: Oakland Asian Cultural Center

Address: 388 Ninth Street, Suite 290, Oakland, 94607

All candidates have been confirmed

Voter registration and ranked choice voting education will be available

Chinese language translation available

Light refreshments provided

OCA-East Bay and Other Community Organizations Raise $75k for Yu Family Fund; Will Launch Kang Family Fund

2010-08-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

(Oakland, CA, August 24, 2010) — OCA East Bay, Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce and its Foundation (OCCC), Asian Advisory Committee on Crime (AACC), and Oakland Chinatown Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council would like to acknowledge and thank the many donors who contributed to the Yu Family Fund, in memory of Mr. Tian Sheng Yu. Mr. Yu and his son were brutally attacked on April 16, 2010, in a senseless act of violence in Oakland’s Uptown district. Mr. Yu sustained life threatening injuries as a result of the attack, which subsequently led to his death four days later. Mr. Yu is survived by his wife, Zhi Rui Wang, and son, Jin Cheng Yu, 27.

In response to this tragic incident the OCA-East Bay and other Bay Area community organizations led an effort to gather donations to assist the Yu Family. In total, approximately $75,000 dollars was collected through hundreds of donations of all sizes coming from as far away as New York State. The largest individual contribution was a $10,000 dollar donation made by a local Bay Area family. “We are proud to see how swiftly the community took action to assist this family in need. It was a true display of compassion, benevolence and humanity in response to a truly detestable act of violence,” said Stan Kiang, Vice President of OCA-East Bay. OCA-East Bay will formally present the Yu Family with a check for $75,000 at its upcoming Gala Event on September 4th, featuring Kristi Yamaguchi and Kurt Suzuki.

OCA-East Bay, in partnership with Metropolitan Bank, is also announcing the launch of the Kang Family Fund, in memory of Mr. Jinghong Kang. Mr. Kang traveled to the Bay Area from Fairfax, VA on July 18, 2010, for a job interview only to be robbed and killed just hours after arriving. Mr. Kang is survived by Wendy Kang, his wife of 19 years, three children ages 10, 12 and 17, and two elderly parents. Donations in the name of the “Kang Family Fund” can be sent directly to Metropolitan Bank at 250 E. 18th Street, Oakland, CA 94606.

For more information on the OCA-East Bay, OCA-East Bay Gala Event or the Memorial Funds, please contact Stan Kiang at 415-518-6010 or skiang@yahoo.com.

23rd Annual Gala Dinner

2010-08-12T12:49:00.000-07:00

See pictures HERE

See story HERE

Saturday, September 4th, 2010

5:30 pm

Scott's Seafood
Jack London Square
2 Broadway
Oakland, CA

Featuring

Kristi Yamaguchi
Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion in Figure Skating

Kristi Yamaguchi, a Bay Area native has been a household name since 1992, when she captivated the world with her gold medal performance at the XVI Winter Olympic Games in Albertville, France. Ms. Yamaguchi is the 2008 Dancing with the Stars champion.

Kurt Suzuki
Catcher, Oakland Athletics

Kurt Suzuki, is a native of Wailuku, Maui. Since making his major league debut in 2007, Kurt has quickly become one of the best catchers in baseball. In 2009, he was the A's most consistent player leading the team in hits, doubles, RBI's and total bases. In both 2008 and 2009, he led American League catchers in games started. Last year Kurt was also the co-recipient of the Dave Stewart community service award.

Other expected/participating athletes:
Devin Setoguchi - Right Wing, San Jose Sharks

Amy Chow - Olympic Gold and Bronze medalist - USA Gymnastics
Kevin Tan - Olympic Bronze medalist - USA Gymnastics
Peanut Louie - Former WTA tennis star
Max Zhang - Current Cal Basketball Center

Rick Quan - Master of Ceremonies

Live auction item:
Dance with Kristi

Silent auction items:
Golden State Warriors:

Steph Curry autographed basketball
Monta Ellis autographed jersey

San Francisco 49ers:

Patrick Willis autographed football
Jerry Rice autographed jersey
Jerry Rice autographed football
Steve Young autographed football

Oakland Raiders:

Luxury Suite for 18 guests plus 5 parking passes

San Jose Sharks:

Hockey stick autographed by team
Devin Setoguchi autographed jersey

Oakland A's:

Kurt Suzuki autographed baseball
4 seats to a game next season

San Francisco Giants:

Matt Cain autographed baseball
Travis Ishikawa autographed baseball
Travis Ishikawa autographed bat

Other:

Special edition autographed Yao Ming sneaker from Beijing Olympics
Kristi Yamaguchi autographed video game for Wii
Two tickets to Dancing With the Stars filming in LA
Foursome to Stone Tree Golf Club
Foursome to Callipe Reserve Golf Course
Foursome to Crystal Springs Golf Course
Foursome to Metropolitan Golf Links

To RSVP, please contact
Chi-Hsin Shao at 415-392-9688 (chshao@chsconsulting.net)
by August 20, 2010

Individual tickets are $150 each. Table sponsorship (10 guests) starts at $1500.

Sponsors
PG&E
Comcast
Recology
Agramed
Kaiser Hospital
Oakland Athletics
Asian Health Services
Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce
Francis Lan
Norman Hui, D.D.S.
Metropolitan Bank
CHS Consulting Group
Chinese American Political Association
YHLA Architects
Pacific General Construction
Siebert Brandford Shank
Lily Hu
Ken Lee
Stanley & Kelly Kiang

Foster Outdoors

Family Bridges

Signature Properties

McDonald's
...

Summer Mixer

2010-07-03T19:23:00.000-07:00

Join us at our SUMMER MIXER to meet local professionals and community members. Also learn how you can get involved in your community through OCA!

Light refreshments will be provided.

RSVP for the event on Facebook or email comments@ocaeastbay.org
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=135744349775444

Thursday, July 8, 2010
5:00pm - 7:00pm

Arismona Lounge
561 11th Street (Corner of 11th and Clay, stairway and Elevator to the Second Floor)
Oakland, CA

View Larger Map

Facebook

2010-06-23T15:20:00.000-07:00

You can now become our friend on Facebook. OCA-East Bay on Facebook!

Community Healing Outreach Event

2010-05-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

Asian Community Mental Health Services is hosting a community healing session and providing information on the effects of violence on mental wellness.

When:
Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 1:00pm-3:00pm

Where:
Oakland Asian Cultural Center
388 9th Street, 2nd Floor
Oakland, CA 94607

English Flyer (pdf)

Chinese 中文 Flyer (word)

Port AEA Scholarship and Family Bridges Fundraising Dinner Photos

2010-05-17T14:15:00.000-07:00

KQED Public Radio Discusses Tensions Between Asians and African-Americans

2010-05-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

Guests:
* Joe Marshall, executive director of the Omega Boys Club/Street Soldiers and president of the San Francisco Police Commission
* Rinku Sen, president and executive director of the Applied Research Center (ARC) and publisher of ColorLines magazine
* Vincent Pan, executive director of Chinese for Affirmative Action and member of the San Francisco Police Commission

Fundraising for Yu Family

2010-05-03T14:58:00.000-07:00

Dear OCA Members and Friends:

On behalf of the OCA East Bay Board of Directors, we are reaching out to all of you with solemn hearts following the incredibly unfortunate incident that took place approximately two weeks ago in Oakland. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the event, two members of the Yu family– a father and son from San Francisco, both of Chinese decent and completely innocent bystanders, were shopping in Oakland’s “Uptown” district when they were brutally assaulted by two teenagers for no apparent reason. Both family members suffered significant injuries in the attack, including a fractured skull for the father. Sadly, after four days in a coma, the father, Tian Sheng Yu, succumbed to his injuries and passed away on the morning of Tuesday April 20th, creating a tragic ending to an already very unfortunate incident. Tian Sheng Yu, is survived by his son, Jin Cheng, and his wife Zhi Rui Wang.

At this point, many of you have likely heard about this incident through the media, as coverage has been virtually non-stop since the crime occurred. The community at large and in particular, the Asian American community, have voiced their outrage over this heinous act and put significant pressure on the leadership within the City of Oakland to find the suspects and bring them to justice. Thankfully, the two teenagers responsible for this atrocious crime have been apprehended and the healing process for the community and more importantly, the Yu family, can finally begin.

The healing process will require the help of all of us, as fellow community members and Asian Americans, to assist this family in rebuilding itself following its tragic and unnecessary loss. Although many Bay Area organizations, including Alameda County, have offered assistance with funeral and burial expenses, the Yu family will need additional financial assistance given the loss of its primary breadwinner. OCA East Bay has taken the lead on this effort and we are kindly asking all of our members and friends to consider a monetary donation to this family in need. We believe anything will help and no amount is too small. OCA East Bay and its Board of Directors have already pledged substantial funds to this effort and it is our hope that you will assist us in ensuring that the Yu family’s dreams won’t also be lost through this tragic incident.

Please send your donations to OCA EB at 2975 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705, payable to The Yu Family Foundation. We will make sure the Yu family gets a clear account for the individual contributions.

Sincerely,

Chi-Hsin Shao
President

Stanley Kiang
Vice President

OCA Criticizes Arizona's Anti-Immigrant Law

2010-04-26T22:20:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

26 April 2010

CONTACT

Lan Nguyen | Program Associate

202 223 5500 | lnguyen@ocanational.org

Washington, D.C. – OCA, a national Asian Pacific American (APA) social justice organization with over 80 chapters and affiliates, raises strong concerns over Arizona’s new immigration law, SB 1070. As a community of immigrants, APAs have historically suffered from harsh discriminatory policies based on perceived ethnic heritage. Signed by Governor Jan Brewer last Friday, SB 1070 will further increase discriminatory practices by allowing police officers to detain anyone based on the suspicion that they are undocumented. Such a far-reaching and general stipulation for questioning will undoubtedly perpetuate racial profiling in a state that already has a history of anti-immigrant legislation. SB 1070 sets a dangerous precedent of legalizing and engendering racial profiling as the status quo.

Implementation of Arizona’s anti-immigrant law will have a negative impact on all communities of color and immigrants, including those who are U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents, by fueling discrimination and debilitating trust between immigrants and law enforcement. SB 1070 demonstrates the urgent need for the immigration reform on a comprehensive federal level. The broken immigration system must be addressed nationally by providing a fair path to legalization, restoring due process, alleviating backlogs of family-based immigration, and creating additional programs for individuals to enter legally into the U.S. to work temporarily or permanently.

OCA calls for action on comprehensive immigration reform legislation to prevent the onslaught of further harmful state legislation.

What you can do to join us in supporting fair and humane immigration reform:

Sign the Reform Immigration FOR America petition telling the President and Congress “America needs comprehensive immigration reform today - don't let the rest of the nation follow Arizona's lead!”
Contact Arizona Governor Jan Brewer with the following message: “I am deeply concerned that you have signed SB1070. This law promotes racial profiling and will be detrimental to all communities of color, including people who are citizens and legal permanent residents. I ask that this law be rescinded immediately.” Her office can be reached at (602) 542-4331 or azgov@az.gov
Find and Participate in a May Day rally on May 1st near you!

2010-04-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 19, 2010
Contact: Carl Chan 510-604-9091, chancarl@sbcglobal.net

MEDIA ADVISORY:

Asian Community Hold Rally against Crimes Targeting Seniors and Minorities In Light of the Brutal Attack of A 59-year-Old Chinese Man and his Son in Oakland’s Uptown

[OAKLAND, CA] – Oakland Asian Community will hold a rally and press conference in Oakland Chinatown tomorrow to denounce the brutal attack of Tiansheng Yu and his 25-year-old son on the 1800 block of Telegraph Avenue at about 3 PM last Friday. When they were attacked in broad daylight by two men, Tiansheng Yu suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. He is now on life support at Highland Hospital. The son is expected to survive.

The community is saddened and extremely upset about the senseless violence against minorities. Seniors and minorities are often victims of assaults and robberies in Oakland. Last year an elderly Asian lady was beaten unconscious when she was collecting recyclables. Many robberies in Oakland by criminals were against minorities and in many cases, Asian. The incident of Tiansheng Yu dismayed the community. Many people are very upset of crimes that target seniors and minorities. The Asian community demands our government officials bring justice for Tiansheng Yu, as well as take steps to protect all people.

WHAT: Rally against Crimes Targeting Seniors and Minorities

WHEN: April 20, 2010. 1 PM

WHERE: Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 Ninth Street, Suite 290

WHO: Asian, African American, Hispanic and other Community Leaders
Congresswoman Barbara Lee
State Assemblyman Sandre’ Swanson
Alameda District Attorney Nancy O’Malley
Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums (not confirmed)
Oakland City Council Member Jane Brunner, District 1 (not confirmed)
Oakland City Council Member Pat Kernighan, District 2
Oakland City Council Member Nancy Nadel, District 3
Oakland City Council Member Jean Quan, District 4
Oakland City Council Member Ignacio De La Fuente, District 5
Oakland City Council Member Desley Brooks, District 6 (not confirmed)
Oakland City Council Member Larry Reid, District 7
Oakland City Council Member Rebecca Kaplan, At Large
Oakland City Attorney John Russo (not confirmed)
Asian Advisory Committee on Crime
Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce
Oakland Chinatown Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council
Organization of Chinese American, East Bay Chapter

Seeking Bay Area Students for OCA Summer Internship

2010-02-22T20:43:00.000-08:00

We’ve been notified of an internship position in Speaker Pelosi’s Office. The deadline is coming up quick, but if you know of any students that would be great Congressional interns but need an extension, let Iimay Ho of the National Office know. Her contact information is below.

OCA Summer Internship
Placement in Speaker Pelosi’s Office
WHAT: The OCA Summer Internship program is one of the premier internship programs for college students interested in Asian Pacific American (APA) issues. Interns are placed in paid full-time positions in federal agencies, Congressional offices, and partner nonprofits in Washington, DC. Interns also learn about APA issues through a weekly brownbag luncheon series, and get the opportunity to help organize one of the largest APA conferences in the country at our annual National Convention.

CONGRESSIONAL PLACEMENT: We are currently seeking undergraduate students from (or attending school in) San Francisco for an internship placement in Speaker Pelosi’s DC office. Congressional interns have the unique opportunity to get an insider's perspective on policymaking. Congressional interns generally have many networking opportunities on Capitol Hill, attend staff and member meetings, write memos, conduct research, answer constituent mail, and perform other administrative tasks. This internship will be a great way for those interested in the legislative process to get their foot in the door and build lasting relationships with Congressional staffers. Applicants seeking this Congressional placement must be selected as an OCA intern and then interview with Pelosi’s office before confirming their placement.

HOW: The OCA summer internship application can be found online at http://www.ocanational.org/ under "Internship" under "Programs." Applicants must submit a completed application form, a resume, a 1-page essay, an unofficial transcript, and 2 letters of recommendation by March 1, 2010. Contact Iimay Ho at iho@ocanational.org with questions.
Best,

IIMAY HO Program Manager
OCA National Center
1322 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-223-5500 tel
202-296-0540 fax
iho@ocanational.org
www.ocanational.org

OCA Embracing the Hopes and Aspirations of Asian Pacific Americans

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Needed to Apply for California's New Redistricting Commission

2010-01-30T18:01:00.000-08:00

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Needed to Apply for California's New Redistricting Commission

Deadline to Apply Is February 12, 2010

Every ten years, we draw new district maps for Congress, the California legislature, county boards of supervisors, and city councils. When we redraw the maps every ten years, we change the boundaries so that each district contains the same number of people. This process is called redistricting.

The next time redistricting will happen is in 2011, and because California voters passed Proposition 11 in 2008, there will be a major change in who draws the maps. Proposition 11 creates a new commission made up of citizens. In 2011, the commission will draw new maps for the state legislature and Board of Equalization. Before Proposition 11, the state legislature drew these maps.

Why does this matter? In past redistrictings, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities have been fragmented by district boundaries. For example, in the 2001 redistricting, the San Jose neighborhood of Berryessa was split among four State Assembly districts, even though over half of Berryessa's population is AAPI.

District boundaries that split AAPI communities like this weaken the political voice of AAPI communities. When AAPI communities are fragmented, they do not make up a significant portion of any one district. This diminishes their ability to get their elected representatives to address their needs.
The commission will play an important role in determining whether AAPI communities are again fragmented unfairly in 2011, or instead kept whole. To make sure that the commission takes AAPI communities into account, we need the right people on the commission - individuals who are civic-minded, come from diverse backgrounds, and understand community needs.

Who will be on the commission? The commission will have 14 members who are selected from people who apply to be on the commission.

The application process is open to the public. Anyone can apply as long as they meet the minimum requirements to be on the commission, such as being a registered voter and having voted in at least two of the last three statewide general elections (November 2004, November 2006, and November 2008). There are also some rules that exclude some people from being eligible for commission if they have a so-called conflict of interest, as well as some restrictions on the future political activities of individuals once they are appointed to the commission.

What will the commission do? The commission will hold public meetings across California to listen to testimony from residents about their communities and neighborhoods. Based on data it gathers, the commission will draw new district maps for the State Assembly, State Senate, and the Board of Equalization (an elected state tax agency).

The commissioners are paid $300 per day when doing commission business. The main period of activity for the commission will be from January 2011 to September 2011. The commissioners can expect to work between 10 to 40 hours per week.

The deadline to apply for the commission is February 12, 2010. You can find more information about the commission and the application process at www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov.

What can you do to help? You may be the right person for the commission - or you may know someone who is. The East Bay Asian Voter Education Consortium (EBAVEC) can be a resource for you - we are working with a statewide network of AAPI organizations to help people learn more about the commission and how to apply.
Please check the website for eligibility:
http://www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov/downloads/eligibility_requirements.pdf

Upcoming workshops include:
Date: Wednesday February 3rd, from 6:00-8:00pm
Location: Contra Costa County Library – Orinda Library
26 Orinda Way
Orinda, CA 94563

Date: Saturday February 6th, from 2:00-4:00pm
Location: East Bay Asian Youth Center (EBAYC)
2025 East 12th Street
Oakland, CA 94606

Please RSVP to Jennifer Pae at jennpae@gmail.com.

To see a list of other workshops and learn more about the network, you can go to www.facebook.com/capafr2011.
If you have suggestions for people who might be good applicants for the commission, please contact EBAVEC or APALC at redistricting@apalc.org.

Redistricting CA brochure (.pdf)

Oakland workshop flyer (.pdf)

Luncheon with Dr. Tony Smith - Superintendent of Oakland Unified School District

2009-11-23T11:26:00.000-08:00

OCA-EAST BAY CHAPTER
OAKLAND CHINATOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2009 COMMUNITY LUNCHEON

An intimate conversation of members & friends of the Asian Community with

The Newly Appointed
SUPERINTENDENT
Of
Oakland Unified School District

Dr. Tony Smith

On
His vision and Commitment
Of The Oakland Public Schools

Friday, December 11, 2009
Luncheon starts at noon

Peony Restaurant (back room)
Pacific Renaissance Plaza, Suite 288
388 9th Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Between Franklin and Webster
Cost of Lunch: $25/person

Space is limited, please RSVP by 12/4/09 to:
CH Shao: (415)-392-9688
chshao@chsconsulting.net
or
Jennie Ong: (510)893-8979
oaklandctchamber@aol.com

Community Forum on Health Care Reform

2009-09-14T20:00:00.000-07:00

Join us for an AA and NHPI Community Forum!

Dear Community Partners,

Join Asian Health Services (AHS), the Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO), and the National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians (NCAPIP) and others for a community forum on health care reform and what a public plan option would mean for our communities. Hear from local and national leaders on AA and NHPI health and share your experiences about health and the health care system.

As many of you have seen or heard in recent months, health care reform is a hotly debated topic among our policymakers and in our communities. We must be sure to have as much information as possible to make the right decisions and have our voices heard in this important debate.

Community Forum on Health Care Reform
Wednesday, September 16th
10am - 12pm

Oakland Asian Cultural Center
388 9th Street #290
Oakland, CA 94607

Interpretation will be provided in the following languages (Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Korean). Please RSVP to Jen Lee at jlee@ahschc.org, 510.986.6830 x394 to reserve headsets.

Thank you and we hope to see you on the 16th!

Learn More

Support a Public Insurance Plan Option in Health Care Reform

Children and Legal Immigrant Inclusion in Health Care Reform

Health Care Reform and Small Business

Like most Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians feel the pain of our nation's broken health care system and are struggling to keep up with out-of-control medical costs.

Nationally, more than one in six Asian Americans are uninsured and more than one in four Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are uninsured.

Oakland Local Census Office Open House with Congresswoman Barbara Lee

2009-09-04T16:29:00.000-07:00

The Oakland Office of the U.S. Census Bureau Seattle Regional Census Center is holding an Open House with special guest

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

September 18, 2009

1:30PM to 3:30PM.

Oakland Local Census Office

1814 Franklin Street, Suite 200

Oakland, CA 94612

Please RSVP by September 11th

Antoinette Porter 510-250-43336

aa.lco.2716@census2010.gov

Invitation flyer (.pdf)

Join our community event to increase awareness of the 2010 census. Your participation is important for a successful count of every resident of California. Meet with state and local officials, census management and staff, community leaders and representative of local businesses. Presentations will be made by local cultural groups. Refreshments will be provided

Membership Luncheon with Don Perata

2009-08-24T22:17:00.000-07:00

An intimate conversation of members & friends of OCA with
Oakland Mayoral Candidate &
Former California Senate President Pro Tem

Don Perata

On

What is the Condition of Oakland and
The Status of our State?

How to meet the challenges facing our City
and our State in the coming decade?

Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Luncheon starts at noon.

Peony Restaurant (back room)
Pacific Renaissance Plaza, Suite 288
388 9th Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Between Franklin and Webster

View Larger Map

Cost: Lunch and membership $50
Members $25
Non-members $35

Space is limited, please RSVP by 9/11/09 to:
Suzie Lee: (510)-836-6688 ext.103 or
Edward Tom: edwardtom1@yahoo.com
For more information:
Chi-Hsin Shao: (415)-392-9688

OCA East Bay Supports Immigrant Workers Exploited by NBC Contractors Corporation of Oakland

2009-08-20T13:34:00.000-07:00

COMMITTEE TO STOP TAXPAYER & WORKER RIP-OFFS

IBEW 595, 6250 Village Parkway, Dublin CA 94568

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Bonnie Jean von Krogh, 415-336-6176

LOCAL ELECTEDS, WRONGED WORKERS, AND

LABOR LEADERS CONDEMN WORKER EXPLOITATION

AND FELONY INSURANCE FRAUD

Call for NBC Contractors to be held to accountable to the law

HAYWARD, CA – July 20th, 2009

Local elected officials, wronged workers and community members attended a rally condemning the alleged criminal acts of NBC Contractors and owner Monica Ung, as Ung formally faced criminal charges on Monday, including 48 felony counts involving wage theft, insurance fraud and perjury at the Alameda County Superior Court in Hayward.

Former NBC worker and lead plaintiff in the class action lawsuit Ricky Lau described how NBC Contractors forced employees to work 60-72 hour weeks but paid them for only 10-40 hour weeks, cheating workers out of $3.6 million in unpaid wages, for work that was performed.

“NBC intimidated workers, forcing us to sign false times cards,” said Lau. “We could not receive our paychecks unless we signed time cards that reduced our hours by as much as 85%. We are just asking to be paid for the hours we worked.”

“All workers have a right to work in an environment free of intimidation and to get paid for work that was done,” said TC Williams of the Alameda Central Labor Council. “The allegations against NBC Contractors suggest a work environment in which the rights of workers were routinely ignored and denied. This type of conduct is unacceptable for any business but is particularly troubling since NBC worked on public projects and took public funds.”

Almost 100 community members and workers came to show their support for NBC workers and stand in solidarity with them.

The complaint against NBC Contractors also includes felony insurance fraud charges, accusing Ung of cheating California taxpayers out of as much as $1.5 million in workers compensation and unemployment insurance taxes.

“In today’s tough economy, the State of California, our schools, cities and citizens are struggling,” said Peralta Community College Trustee Abel Guillen. “This is money that is absolutely essential to funding important services such as public safety, street and road repair, and schools to the public. We cannot stand by while crooked contractors steal millions from workers and the people of California through fraud.”
Other East Bay elected officials questioned why NBC Contractors is still employed on a number of public, taxpayer-funded, public-works projects in the Bay Area such as libraries, schools, and housing.
“I am extremely concerned that NBC Contractors continues to work on ongoing City of Oakland public-works projects, such as the 81st Avenue Branch Library and the Fox Courts Affordable Housing Development,” said Oakland City Councilmember Patricia Kernighan. “We must send a strong message that any illegal behavior will not be tolerated by the City.”
Some public agencies, including the Oakland Unified School District, that were notified of these charges have suspended or terminated their use of NBC Contractors.
“We will not utilize NBC Contractors on any current or projects until these charges are resolved,” said David Kakishiba, Oakland Board of Education Director. “We call on other public agencies working with NBC to take the same steps as the School District and immediately terminate the relationship.”
Kakishiba continued, “California taxpayers have entrusted us to use precious public revenue wisely, and NBC Contractors must be held accountable to the high standards our taxpayers expect and deserve.”
Speakers demanded a full continuing investigation and legal justice for any California taxpayers and workers defrauded by NBC Contractors.

###

Additional news article from the Oakland Post and Sing Tao.
http://ocaeastbay.googlepages.com/NBCWorkers.pdf

Action Alert: Tell Congress to Support Health Care Reform TODAY!

2009-08-20T13:25:00.000-07:00

Tell Congress to Support Health Care Reform TODAY!

OCA, a national organization dedicated to the social, political, and economic wellbeing of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs), believes that all people deserve quality, affordable health care. One in six Asian Americans and one in four Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are uninsured. Even with coverage, AAs and NHPIs experience disparities in health outcomes and quality of care.

Today, August 19, is a national Call-in Day organized by NAPAWF, the Asian American Justice Center and the Asian and Pacific Islander Health Forum. OCA wants you to take part in this collaboration to support healthcare reform.

Take Action!

Call 1-877-264-4226. (Special thanks to Health Care for American NOW! for extending the use of their line.)
Ask the operator to connect you to your Senator or Representative and give the operator your zip code. Once the operator connects you to your Rep/Senator' s office, a staffer in the office will answer the call.
Say:

"My name is ___________ and I want affordable health care.

Please support the public plan that keeps costs down and makes health coverage affordable for everyone. All children and pregnant women should be covered.

I also want everyone to be treated fairly. I think it's unfair for tax-paying, legal immigrants to have to wait five years before they can get the help they need. Please remove the five year bar on Medicaid."

[Insert your own story!]

Please let your friends and networks know about today’s national action.

For more info about this Call-in Day, contact Deeana Jang at djang@apiahf. org, Alice Dong at adong@advancingequa lity.org or Priscilla Huang at phuang@napawf. org. For more information about OCA, contact Sarah Smith Nester at ssmith@ocanational.org

OCA National Convention Gala Awards Banquet

2009-08-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

On Saturday August 8th, 2009 the OCA National Gala Awards Banquet was held at the California Room in the Westin St. Francis Hotel. The night opened with greetings and introductions by the MCs for the night Thuy Vu and David Louie. Ken Lee, the OCA National President spoke and introduced the 2009 Convention Co-Chairs Claudine Cheng and Sherman Tang.

Ron Chang, VP Mergers & Acquisitions of UPS presented The UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship awards to 12 students 5 of which were present. These APA students are the first in their families to attend an institution of higher education.

Two OCA Pioneer Awards were presented by Ken Lee. The first of the awards was given to Steve Chen, co-founder of YouTube. The second award was given to fashion designer Anna Sui.

This year's OCA Outstanding Citizen Achievement Awards were given to historians Him Mark Lai and Philip. P. Choy. They pioneered the first college level history course on the Chinese of America at San Francisco State University in 1969. Him Mark continued to teach this class at UC Berkeley. Additionally they created the In Search of Roots program to teach Chinese American youth how to research their family history through the National Archives and Records Administration documents.

Another OCA Outstanding Citizen Achievement Award was presented to US Congressman Mike Honda. Congressman Honda has represented the 15th Congressional District of California at the U.S. House of Representatives since 2001. As a public servant, he has been lauded for his work on education, transportation, civil rights, national service, the environment, and high-tech issues.

OCA National Convention August 6-9, 2009 San Francisco

2009-07-28T17:07:00.000-07:00

More information can be found on the OCA National website.

http://www.ocanational.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=162&Itemid=

Event Flyer (.pdf)

Kevin Tan Inspires Students at Lincoln Recreation Center

2009-06-17T15:16:00.000-07:00

Approximately 60 students and Oakland residents attended the Kids Day Event on June 13, 2009 featuring Olympic Medallist Kevin Tan. Tan spoke to the audience about his life experiences and how he reached the Olympics. After the presentation the audience was given a Q&A period. Some of the questions asked included some serious, "What are your plans for the future?" as well as some not so serious, "What brand shoes do you wear?" and "What famous people have you met?"

Tan then offered the audience time for photographs and autographs.

Other events during the day included the awarding of a $500 scholarship from OCA-EB by Superintendent of Schools Sheila Jordan to OASES student Charles Cheng. Alameda Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker also presented Kevin Tan with a certificate.

OCA-East Bay Reports a Successful Banquet Event!

2009-06-17T13:17:00.000-07:00

On Friday June 12, 2009, over 220 guests attended OCA-East Bay's 22nd Annual Banquet on "Developing Asian American Leadership - Past, Present, and Future". The honorees that night included Olympic Gymnast Kevin Tan and Former Deputy Executive Director of the Port of Oakland, Joe Wong.

A topic repeated throughout the night was the importance of mentors in developing future leaders. Francis Lan, past president of the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce spoke of how Wong helped mentor both him as well as the current Executive Director of OASES, Nhi Chau. In following Wong spoke of how OCA-East Bay founder Frank Kiang helped to mentor him, and Kevin Tan talked about his experience as a captain of the Men's U.S. Gymnastics Team.

Other events that night included a performance by the Gay Asian Pacific Alliance Chorus Group.

Distinguished guests at the dinner:
Sandré Swanson - California Assemblymember
Patricia Kernighan and Jean Quan - Oakland City Council Members
Henry Chang Jr. - Former City of Oakland Council Member and Vice Mayor
Lena Tam - City of Alameda Council Member
Keith Carson - Alameda County Supervisor
Susan Muranishi - Alameda County Administrator
Monique Tsang - City of Oakland Equal Access Director

Kids Day with an Olympian

2009-06-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

Bring your kids to meet and talk with an Olympic athlete! 2008 Beijing Olympic medalist and U.S. Men's Gymnastics Team Captain Kevin Tan will be available for photos, questions, and more!

Saturday, June 13, 2009 1:00 PM

Lincoln Square
Recreation Center
250-10th Street
Oakland, CA 94607

View Larger Map

OCA East Bay 22nd Annual Banquet

2009-06-05T22:52:00.000-07:00

The Organization of Chinese Americans-East Bay Chapter

Cordially Invite You to Attend

The 22^nd OCA-East Bay Annual Gala Dinner

“Developing Asian American Leadership

- Past, Present and Future”

Honoring

Kevin Tan

2008 Beijing Olympic Medallist and

U.S. Men’s Gymnastics Team Captain

Courtesy of U.S. Gymnastics and photographer John Cheng

Joe Wong

Deputy Executive Director

the Port of Oakland

Friday, June 12, 2009 at 6:00 pm

Restaurant Peony, 388 9^th Street, 2^nd Floor, Oakland

Cost: $100 per person

Please RSVP

(415) 392-9688 or email CHShao@CHSconsulting.net

Seeking Volunteers for the OCA National Convention

2009-05-21T15:33:00.000-07:00

OCA is seeking for volunteers for the 2009 OCA National Convention!

Every year, OCA (Organization of Chinese Americans) convenes a National Asian Pacific American (APA) Convention where OCA members and supporters from across the nation come together to discuss the state of APA affairs. This year's theme is "Call To Action: Empowering Asian Pacific American Voices". Prominent APA elected officials, celebrities and public figures usually attend the Convention. In addition to the keynote speakers and workshops, there will be a Community Health Fair, Senior Day, College and Youth Days, and a Job Fair.

This year’s OCA National Convention is in San Francisco, CA
August 6-9th at the Westin St. Francis Hotel
Located at 335 Powell Street (between Post and Geary) across from Union Square.

OCA is looking for volunteers to help implement the Convention’s various workshops and events. This is a great opportunity to network within a national APA advocacy organization, and to contribute to the larger APA community. Volunteers will assist with: General convention and gala registration, setup for meal events, convention bag stuffing, transportation, pick ups/deliveries, exhibit/job fair area, escorting, crowd control, ushering, security, and floater duties for the four days. Volunteers are also welcome to sign up to help on a committee for tasks and logistics prior to the convention on-site.

We are preferably seeking volunteers at least college-aged.

For more information and/or to RSVP as a volunteer, please contact Michael Lok at michaeljlok@gmail.com.

When you RSVP, please Include:

* Name
* Contact Info: Phone, Email
* Organization (If you are representing an organization or group)
* Days and approximate times of availability for volunteering.

DEADLINE: Friday, June 5th, 6pm

There will be orientation meetings before the convention dates to get an overview on task assignments, logistics, and any pre-convention tasks that need to be completed: Dates/Times To Be Announced (TBA).

Other details about OCA and the Convention can be found at the OCA National website: www.ocanational.org

Thank you very much,

Michael Lok
Volunteer Coordinator,
2009 OCA National Convention

______________________________

OCA is a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States. Founded in 1973 as the Organization of Chinese Americans, OCA is engaged in organizing its 80-plus chapters and college affiliates across the nation to develop leadership opportunities and community involvement. OCA’s chapters and college affiliates are establishing strong local programs in all parts of the country.

To fulfill its mission, OCA has adopted the following goals:

* To advocate for social justice, equal opportunity and fair treatment;
* To promote civic participation, education, and leadership
* To advance coalitions and community building; and
* To foster cultural heritage

Visit the website for more information about OCA and the Convention: www.ocanational.org

AEA Annual Scholarship Fundraiser Dinner

2009-05-06T16:03:00.000-07:00

OCA-East Bay sponsored a table for the 2009 Annual Scholarship Fundraiser and Awards Dinner held by the Asian Employees Association at the Port of Oakland on May 1, 2009.

The night started off with a lion dance performance by the Asian Youth Services Committee a non-profit organization coached by Sifu Robert Lee. ayscliondance.com. Guest speakers included Victor Uno President of the Port Commissioners and Kim-Dung Nguyen a recipient of the AEA scholarship in 1999 and currently a teacher at Oakland Unified School District. Joe Wong, Deputy Executive Director of the Port of Oakland was presented with an award for his help in founding and guiding the Port AEA.

The main highlight of the night was the presentation of 17 exceptional high school students. The AEA awarded them with scholarships ranging from $1500-$3000. Stanley Kiang the VP of OCA-East Bay presented a $4000 award to our first Frank Kiang Scholarship recipient Ms. Fanny Hoang.

Mr. Kiang is a co-founder of OCA-East Bay and founder of Metropolitan Bank, a community bank based in Oakland. He passed away last year, following years of community service including leadership positions on the Board of Commissioners at the Port of Oakland and the Board of Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. A scholarship in his name will be awarded on an annual basis to young people who demonstrate strong leadership potential.

Asian Pacific Heritage Festival at OACC

2009-05-06T13:48:00.000-07:00



	Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival 2009 May 2 – May 30

Seasonal Dishes Workshops
A focus on traditional food culture
driven by seasonal and local ingredients.
May 2 10:00am – 1:30pm:
Fresh Bamboo Soup and
Watercress Salad, Laos
May 16, 10:00am – 1:30pm:
Banh Xeo and Spring Herbs, Vietnam
June 6, 10:00am – 2:00pm:
Demystifying Chinese Greens, China (Sold out)
July 18, 10:00am – 1:30pm:
Riot of Summer Vegetables and Korean Sides, Korea
July 25, 10:00am – 1:30pm:
Green Curry from Scratch, Thailand
$5-$30 suggested donation.*
Contact April Kim, 510/637.0462 to register.

Film Screening Mosque in Morgantown
May 27th 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Directed by Brittany Huckabee, this
documentary follows an Islamic woman’s
fight for equality in a West Virginian
Mosque. Screening is co-presented
by the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM).
$5 suggested donation.*

*No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

APA Women Writers Literary Night
May 28th 7:00pm
A writers showcase, guest-curated by the editors of Writing the Lines of Our Hands, the first anthology of South Asian American poetry. Featuring Diana Ip, Summi Kaipa, Neela Banerjee, Maya Khosla, Aimee Suzara, Mimi Lok, Pireeni Sundaralingam and more.
$5-$20 suggested donation.*

Asian Arts Together
May 30th 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Make cultural art activities like Lunar Year Ox puppets, Tet Dragon Mobiles, & Korean Kites for the whole family!
Free.

Dances of Asia
May 30th 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Performances by the Sahiyar Dance Company, DowneFx, OACC Artists in Residence Jay Loyola, AYPAL, Kyoungil Ong and other performers to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!
$3-$20 suggested donation.*

Oakland Asian Cultural Center
388 9th Street, Suite 290
Oakland. CA 94607
Tel: 510.637.0455
Fax: 510.637.0459
www.oacc.cc

With Community Support from
Hypen Magazine
Narika, South Asian Sisters, South Asian Studies Institute SFSU, Asian American Studies Program UCB

Media Sponsors
APEX Express (KPFA 94.1)
KOIT Radio (96.5)

For more information
Please visit www.oacc.cc or contact April Kim
Programs Director
Tel: 510 637 0461
Email:akim@oacc.cc

OACC would like to thank the generous sponsors and donors of our Asian Pacific Heritage Festival 2009. The James Irvine Foundation, the Alameda County Arts Comission, the City of Oakland, East Bay Community Foundation, U.S. Bank, NCB, Halton Suen, D.D.S. Asian Network, Comerica Bank, and other donors.

End Hate Crimes Now! Pass H.R. 1913!

2009-04-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

ACTION ALERT!

End Hate Crimes Now! Pass H.R. 1913!

CALL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29

Call your member of Congress toll-free at 866-346-4611 today and tomorrow, April 28-29, and urge support for the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA).

Current law limits federal involvement in hate crimes cases to those involving crimes motivated by race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin. The LLEHCPA will expand this law to include crimes that are motivated by a victim’s actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. It will give federal government jurisdiction to prosecute hate crimes in states where current law is inadequate and also provide federal authorities greater access to investigate hate crimes.

Every year, we have been harshly reminded of our status as countless APAs have been brutally attacked and murdered. No matter how far we think we have come, a heinous hate crime quickly reminds the APA community that we are a long way from truly being equal.

OCA joins other civil rights, religious, law enforcement, professional and civic organizations in supporting the LLEHCPA. Call your representative now and help put an end to hate crimes!

Koi Suwannagate And Anna Sui Design T-shirts For A Cause

2009-04-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

KOI SUWANNAGATE AND ANNA SUI DESIGN T-SHIRTS FOR A CAUSE

Nordstrom Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with Limited-Edition T-shirts

SEATTLE—In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Nordstrom is partnering with designers Koi Suwannagate and Anna Sui on a limited-edition T-shirt collection that will be sold exclusively at Nordstrom for the month of May.

These limited-edition T-shirts will be available at 15 Nordstrom stores and online at Nordstrom.com/apahm beginning May 1. Customers will have three different T-shirt designs to choose from including one from Koi Suwannagate and two from Anna Sui. T-shirts will sell for $60 each with proceeds benefiting the scholarship program of OCA, a national organization dedicated to serving Asian Pacific Americans. For over 10 years, OCA has provided assistance to students in achieving their dream of a higher education.

“We are excited to partner with Koi Suwannagate and Anna Sui in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month,” said Amelia Ransom Letcher, vice president of Diversity Affairs for Nordstrom. “Our collaborative effort in support of OCA’s scholarship program is one that we can all be proud of.”

Koi is known for her artistic designs that many would describe as “wearable art”, and this T-shirt is nothing short of that. Anna Sui’s two designs incorporate her signature fanciful design elements, complete with unexpected details.

“Having the opportunity to contribute my T-shirt design to Nordstrom for OCA’s mission is very humbling,” said designer Koi Suwannagate. “My T-shirt design for Nordstrom is an extension of one of my spring/summer 2009 feather prints. The feather is a symbol of lightness and fantasy.”

“I was honored to be asked to participate in this project. I think it’s so fantastic that all the proceeds will benefit the OCA scholarship program,” said designer Anna Sui. “I designed two T-Shirts. The first one is a blow-up of one of the sketches I did for my spring 2009 collection and includes a real satin bow on top of the girl’s head. The second design is festooned with lace trim, a pearl necklace and real satin bows.”

T-shirts will be available online at Nordstrom.com/apahm and15 Nordstrom stores across the country including:

Ala Moana Center – Honolulu, Hawaii
Brea Mall – Brea, Calif.
Downtown Portland – Portland, Ore.
Downtown Seattle – Seattle, Wash.
Fashion Square – Scottsdale, Ariz.
Fashion Valley – San Diego, Calif.
Mall of America – Bloomington, Minn.
Michigan Avenue – Chicago, Ill.
Pentagon City – Arlington, Va.
Roosevelt Field – Garden City, N.Y.
San Francisco Centre – San Francisco, Calif.
The Grove at Farmer’s Market – Los Angeles, Calif.
Topanga Plaza – Canoga Park, Calif.
Valley Fair – San Jose, Calif.
Village of Merrick Park – Coral Gables, Fla.

About Koi Suwannagate
Born and raised in Thailand, Koi came to the United States and studied fashion in California. That’s where she discovered her true passion for wearable art and where her professors and fellow students encouraged her to start her own fashion line. Her line launched in 2001 and she made her New York Fashion Week debut in 2007. Koi was also a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist in 2007.

About Anna Sui
At age four, Anna decided that she would become a designer and started to make her own clothes. Before the end of her senior high school year, she was accepted to Parsons School of Design in New York. After two years at Parsons, Anna styled with friend Steven Meisel and designed for several sportswear companies before launching her first collection in 1980. Anna’s business continued to grow throughout the 1980s, and in 1991 she premiered her first runway show. The following year she opened her first flagship store on Greene Street in Soho. She has also launched cosmetics, fragrance, shoe and accessory licenses. Today Anna Sui has 32 boutiques in five countries and her collection is sold in 300 stores in over 30 countries. Most recently, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced the 2009 Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Anna.

About Nordstrom
Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers, with 172 stores located in 28 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 110 full-line stores, 58 Nordstrom Racks, two Jeffrey boutiques and two clearance stores. Nordstrom also serves customers through its online presence at www.nordstrom.com and through its catalogs. Nordstrom, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol JWN.

About OCA
Founded in 1973, OCA is a national organization dedicated to the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, DC, OCA is engaged in organizing its over 80 chapters and affiliates across the nation to develop both leadership and community involvement. OCA is online at www.ocanational.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Colleen Quinn
Nordstrom, Inc.
(206) 373-3036

Sarah Smith
OCA Communications Manager
(202) 223-5500
# # #

Free Citizenship Workshop

2009-04-10T21:36:00.000-07:00

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (Northern California Chapter) is hosting a free Citizenship Workshop

Saturday, April 18, 2009
From 10 am to 2 pm
Hastings College of the Law
198 McAllister Street in San Francisco.

For eligibility and other important information download the following pdf files.
English
Chinese 中文

View Larger Map

Fifth Annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration set for May 16th -Festival to focus on all Asian groups in the City

2009-04-02T17:15:00.000-07:00

SAN FRANCISCO (April 2, 2009) - The largest gathering of Asian Pacific Americans in the nation is back and bigger than ever, featuring Asian American artists, DJs, martial arts, today's Asian pop culture, j-cars, a Muay Thai kickboxing ring, scrumptious food, a karaoke contest, children's area, cultural procession, arts and crafts, anime, free hepatitis B screenings and more! The 5th annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration will be held Saturday, May 16, 2009 in San Francisco, in front of the Asian Art Museum, leading up to the Little Saigon District. The event is free and open to the public.

What: Fifth Annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration

When: Saturday, May 16, 2009
11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Where: Civic Center/Little Saigon District
San Francisco

Information: www.asianfairsf.com

OPEN CALL FOR PARTICIPATION:

BE A VENDOR
The Asian Heritage Street Celebration (AHSC) is currenlty looking for arts and crafts, food, community, and corporate booths. To be a vendor at one of the largest gatherings of Asian & Pacific Islanders in America, download a booth application at
www.asianfairsf.com or contact:

Tamiko Wong
415-321-5865
twong@awfoundation.com

DONATE PRIZES FOR THE SFUSD RAFFLE PROGRAM
The San Francisco Unified School District "Make Some Money For Your School " Raffle Program, managed by the AsianWeek Foundation, is no cost fundraiser for schools. Students sell raffle tickets for a chance to win donated prizes, and ALL proceeds go straight to participating schools. Last year, 25 different schools participated, representing over 17,000 students and the program raised close to $10,000. Donation of an item, product or service is currently wanted and will give your company exposure to estimated 100,000 festival attendees. For more information contact:

Angela Pang
apang@asianweek.com

DRESS IN COSTUME
Dress in ethnic attire for the "Faces of Asia" cultural procession. All ages and Asian ethnicities wanted, contact:

Rose Chung
Rose.Chung@sfgov.org

VOLUNTEER
Volunteering - email volunteer@awfoundation.com
a. Festival preparation, help organize activities
b. Day-of-event - setting up, monitoring barricades, booths, etc.

SPONSOR THE EVENT
Support the largest pan Asian celebration nationwide. For details contact:

Brian Fujimoto
415.321.5869
bfujimoto@awfoundation.com

###

About the AsianWeek Foundation
The Asian Heritage Street Celebration is organized by the AsianWeek Foundation in cooperation with over 150 organizations in the local and Asian American community. The AsianWeek Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 committed to developing Asian American community. All proceeds from the Celebration are donated to local and national charities. www.asianfairsf.com

Angel Island Presentation

2009-04-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

OCA San Mateo Presents
Road to Restoration

Film screening about the restoration of Angel Island's Immigration Station.

Katherine Toy will give a brief over-view of the station’s historical significance, the current efforts to save this valuable piece of American history, and plans for the future.

Monday April 6th—7:00-8:00PM
Foster City Library—Wind Room

Additional details available here: AngelIsland.pdf

27th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival

2009-03-12T23:52:00.000-07:00

March 12 - 22, 2009
The Center for Asian American Media is presenting the nation's largest showcase for Asian American and Asian films right here in the Bay Area. Approximately 120 films will be shown in San Francisco, Berkeley, and San Jose.

For a listing of the films that will be playing check here:
http://filmguide.festival.asianamericanmedia.org/tixSYS/2009/filmguide/title/detail/

OCA PRAISES APPOINTMENT OF FIRST ASIAN AMERICAN IVY LEAGUE PRESIDENT, DISMAYED BY STUDENT-RUN SATIRICAL PUBLICATION

2009-03-12T15:41:00.000-07:00

Sarah Smith | Communications Manager

202.223.5500 | ssmith@ocanational.org

OCA, a national organization of over 80 chapters and affiliates dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans, praises the recent appointment of Dr. Jim Yong Kim as president of Dartmouth College. The Korean-American Harvard medical school professor and global and social health care champion is the first Asian American Ivy League President.

OCA also expresses disappointment in the recent satirical article that was published by the Generic Good Morning Message, a Dartmouth student e-publication, referring to Kim as a “Chinaman” and warning the campus that “another hard-working American’s job will be taken by an immigrant willing to work in substandard conditions.”

There is a long history of discrimination that is perpetuated by reinforcing unfair and inaccurate stereotypes, even when intended as satire. OCA firmly believes it is unacceptable that the message was published and we are pleased to see that the administration and a majority of students understand the harmful effects of such characterizations.

Dr. Kim’s appointment should be celebrated as yet another milestone in the field of education, but the message published by Dartmouth students illustrate the need for ongoing dialogue and future events involving the entire education community in which Asian Pacific Americans are more accurately and equitably represented.

Reception for Victor Uno - President of the Port of Oakland Port Commissioners

2009-03-06T18:49:00.000-08:00

The Asian Community Organizations & Businesses
Cordially Invite You to Attend

A Celebration Reception for

Victor Uno
President
Board of Oakland Port Commissioners

Pamela Calloway
James Head
Board of Oakland Port Commissioners

Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Time: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Place: Peony Restaurant, 388 9th Street, Oakland, CA
Admission is free

Sponsors:
Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce
OCA-East Bay Chapter
Asian Health Services
Asian Employees Association, Port of Oakland
Oakland Asian Cultural Center
Laney College
P G & E

Asian/Pacific Islander American College Leadership Training

2009-03-05T18:08:00.000-08:00

OCA and State Farm host
APIA U: LEADERSHIP 101

Designed for Asian and Pacific Islander American College Students APIA U: Leadership 101 is a FREE training designed to:
-address cultural and societal influences
-build leadership skills
-initiate change and promote activism on campus and in the community

Upcoming locations:
March 7, 2009 - University of California, Davis
April 18, 2009 - Ohlone College, Fremont

Additional information and registration

OCA Supports Gary Locke's Nomination as Secretary of Commerce

2009-03-05T17:59:00.000-08:00

Washington, DC – On February 24, 2009, President Barack Obama announced that the Honorable Gary Locke, former Governor of Washington, will be his appointee for Secretary of Commerce. OCA, a national Asian Pacific American social justice organization, applauds of the president’s choice. Locke was the United States’ first Chinese American governor.

“OCA is pleased that President Obama will add Gary Locke to his diverse Cabinet,” said OCA National President Ken Lee. "Upon his confirmation, we look forward to working with him, knowing that his position will be of utmost importance during this critical economic time. I know Gary personally and he is the right person for the job.”

In 2005, OCA honored Locke with the OCA Outstanding Citizen Achievement Award during OCA’s Annual National Convention.

The Commerce Department oversees many aspects of international trade and is also responsible for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the 2010 Census. Locke served two terms in the state of Washington from 1997 to 2005. He currently works for a Seattle-based law firm on issues involving energy and governmental relations. Locke also was an Honorary Chair of OCA’s Building Campaign.

Sarah Smith | Communications Manager
202.223.5500 | ssmith@ocanational.org

2009 OCA National Scholarship

2009-02-11T21:39:00.000-08:00

Applications for the OCA National Scholarship need to be postmarked by or submitted online by April 20, 2009.

Information and application forms can be found here.
http://www.ocanational.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59&Itemid=

Scholarship Applications:

2009 OCA National Scholarship (PDF)

2009 OCA National Scholarship (Word)

Online

OCA National Convention in San Francisco, CA

2009-02-11T21:30:00.000-08:00

August 6-9, 2009
This year's OCA National Convention in being held in San Francisco, CA.
A Call to Action: Empowering Asian Pacific American Voices

San Francisco, CA

August 6-9, 2009

Westin St. Francis Hotel

More information to come...

Norman H. Hui, D.D.S.

2009-01-01T17:16:00.000-08:00

Norman H. Hui, D.D.S., is one of the founding members of the Organization of Chinese Americans, East Bay Chapter and was president from 1999 to 2002. Norman was born in Mainland China, and his family moved from Canton to Hong Kong after the Chinese Communist Party took over the country in 1949. In 1959, Dr. Hui immigrated to the United States with his parents, where he attended the University of California at Berkeley with a B.A. degree in Biological Sciences in 1966. He subsequently received his DDS degree from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in 1973. His political and community activism began by serving as a member of the Board of Directors of his children’s school. He was also a member of the Board of Directors on the San Francisco Chinatown Lions Club and was elected president in 1985. Norman served as a member of the Board of Directors at North East Medical Services in San Francisco since 1982 and was chairperson from 1992 to 2002. He was Chair of the California Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs Commission for three terms from 2004 to 2006. Norman is a member of the Chinese American Political Association (CAPA) in Contra Costa County and was elected president in 1995. He continues to be heavily involved with community and political forums and fundraising activities for various political candidates.

Stanley Kiang

2009-01-01T17:13:00.000-08:00

Stan Kiang has been involved with the OCA East Bay Chapter since its inception in 1987. He is an advocate for the Asian American community and is actively involved in many community related activities in and around his hometown of Oakland. Stan currently serves on the Treasury Oversight Committee for Alameda County, as a Director of the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, and also serves as a Director at Metropolitan Bank in Oakland.

Professionally, Stan works as a Portfolio Manager for BlackRock focused on emerging market equities for institutional clients. Prior to joining BlackRock, Stan worked in equity sales, corporate development, equity research, investment banking, and consulting capacities for Barclays, JPMorgan Chase, Banc of America Securities, and FactSet, respectively. Stan received a BA in Economics from St. Mary's College, holds the NASD Series 3, 7 and 63 licenses and earned his Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) designation through the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Chi-Hsin Shao, PE, AICP

2009-01-01T16:01:00.000-08:00

Mr. Chi-Hsin Shao is currently the President of CHS Consulting Group. He holds a master’s degree in Infrastructure Planning and Management from Stanford University and a bachelor degree in Architecture from Chung Yuan University in Taiwan. He is a licensed professional Traffic Engineer in the State of California and a certified urban planner (AICP). He has over 30 years of professional experience in transportation planning and engineering. He served on several senior management positions in both public and private sectors, including three years as the Deputy Commissioner of Policy and Planning with the City of Boston Transportation Department (1987-2000). He has also managed projects both in the US and overseas, such as China, Taiwan, The Philippines, Korea, and Vietnam.

Mr. Shao has been active in many professional and civic organizations. He has been on the Board of Directors of the OCA East Bay Chapter for seven years. He also serves on the Board of Directors of San Francisco Planning and Urban Research (SPUR), a think tank in San Francisco, Yerba Buena Alliance, and Yerba Buena Arts and Events. He is also currently the President of International Chinese Transportation Professionals Association (ICTPA). Prior community experience included President of Asian American Architects and Engineers (AAAE), President of Piedmont Asian American Club (PAAC), Chairman of East Bay Chinese School, and Board member of Chinatown Community Development Center (San Francisco), Charity Cultural Services Center (San Francisco), and City of Oakland Business Advisory Committee, appointed by the Mayor of Oakland.

OCA Seeks Qualified Candidates for Executive Director Position

2008-11-13T19:43:00.000-08:00

Executive Director

OCA is currently seeking an experienced and focused professional to serve as Executive Director at the national headquarters in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1973, OCA (www.ocanational.org) is a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans (APA) in the United States. OCA has 81 chapters and college affiliates nationwide.

OCA's goals are:
• to advocate for social justice, equal opportunity and fair treatment;
• to promote civic participation, education, and leadership;
• to advance coalitions and community building; and
• to foster cultural heritage.

THE POSITION
The Executive Director serves as OCA’s chief executive officer and works in partnership with the Executive Council, the National Board and OCA’s 81 chapters and college affiliates to articulate and execute OCA’s vision, strategic direction and programs. The Executive Director oversees a staff of seven to run OCA’s general programs and events, engage in coalition building, support chapters and college affiliates, develop advocacy and policy strategies, and raise funds. The Executive Director reports to the OCA National President and Executive Council and provides regular reports to OCA’s National Board and Business Advisory Council.

SKILLS/BACKGROUND/ATTRIBUTES
The ideal candidate should have strong organizational and managerial skills and be able to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment. Additionally, the Executive Director will have the following qualifications:
• At least 5 - 8 years work experience in a progressive environment, preferably serving the Asian Pacific Americans community as part of its constituency
• Familiarity with APA social justice issues
• Strong organizational and planning skills in managing a medium-sized nonprofit
• Previous experience with supervising 5-10 staff members
• Proven fundraising experience in individual giving, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants.
• Excellent analytic, written and oral communications skills
• Past experience with event planning, membership services, and coalition building
• Knowledge of non-profit governance standards and best practices
• College degree required. Graduate degree preferred.
• Bilingual skills a plus
• Strong commitment to and passion for OCA’s mission
• Knowledge and ability to lead, manage, motivate and mentor people
• High energy and ability to meet tight deadlines and work in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness and flexibility to work long hours and to travel

SALARY & BENEFITS:
Salary commensurate with experience
Health & vision insurance
Paid vacation & holidays

LOCATION:
OCA National Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
December 5, 2008

TO APPLY
Please email a letter of interest, resume, writing sample, and three references to:

Dr. Michael Lin at mlin@ocanational.org

No phone calls please.

START DATE
January 1, 2009 or by mutual agreement.

Printable version

Neighboorhood and Crime Safety Tips in Chinese

2008-11-13T16:49:00.000-08:00

The Oakland Police Department has provided a safety pamphlet on crime prevention and safety in Chinese.
Safety Tips

Sponsor Family Bridges "Wynners Concert" with OCA-East Bay and Help our Seniors

2008-10-08T13:34:00.000-07:00

DEAR OCA MEMBERS AND FRIENDS:

California's fiscal crisis has hit our seniors citizens expecially hard with cuts to social security, services and medical care. For decades, our Chinatown community has depended on nonprofits like Family Bridges to provide the necessary social and health care services.

Unfortunately, Family Bridges is suffering significant state cuts. So, this year's Family Bridges Chinese SuperStar fundraising concert is taking on an urgent tone to raise even more money.

In this light, OCA-East Bay is inviting its members to jointly sponsor the Concert. The Concert will feature the "Wynners" - a very well-known pop group in Asian.

For $400, you will receive a VIP concert ticket or two regular admission tickets.

For $800, you will reveive 2 VIP tickets.

If you do not want the tickets, we'll donate them to seniors so that they can attend the concert.

The concert this year is at the Oakland McAfee Arena.

Please reply to me if you can contribute for this fun event. My phone # is 510-682-8305. wan.danny@gmail.com Thank you.

Danny Wan.

Click on the picture for a larger flyer.

Four Groups Sue City of Oakland Over Equal Access Ordinance

2008-09-15T22:37:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 15, 2008

Contact:
Luz Buitrago, (510) 524-6268, lbuitrago@earthlink.net
Michelle Natividad Rodriguez, (415) 431-7430, x311, mrodriguez@publicadvocates.org

Equal Access Advocates Sue City of Oakland for
Failing Non-English Speaking Residents

Four community groups—Family Bridges, Inc., Organization of Chinese Americans-East Bay Chapter, The Spanish Speaking Unity Council, and California ACORN—today filed a lawsuit against the City of Oakland for failing to fulfill its obligations under the "Equal Access to Services Ordinance," a groundbreaking language access ordinance passed in 2001. Public Advocates Inc. and civil rights attorney Luz Buitrago represent the groups.

The ordinance, based on basic civil rights laws, requires translation of key documents and sufficient bilingual staff available in public contact positions for languages reaching a 10,000 threshold, currently including Spanish and Chinese. Bilingual staff are required to be hired only as position vacancies occur. In addition, the City Administrator, departments and agencies must develop and submit annual compliance plans that collect critical data and provide an assessment of the data in 16 key areas.

The lawsuit focuses on the City's failure to comply with these mandatory obligations. The City has provided only three incomplete plans and has failed to provide four plans during the last seven years.

"I am disappointed that seven years after Ignacio de La Fuente and I sponsored this historic ordinance, we are compelled to participate in this lawsuit," said former City Council member Danny Wan, now President of the local chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans. "The idea is important, but simple: Oakland residents should not be denied basic and potentially life-saving city services just because they are still learning to speak English and cannot yet communicate their needs in English."

Corinne Jan, Family Bridges' Chief Executive Officer, agreed. "Despite their contributions to our community and substantial numbers—over 41% of Oakland's population of almost 350,000—limited English proficient Oaklanders continue to be denied equitable access to services."

Jan cites a recent example of a non-English speaking Cantonese couple who were robbed at gunpoint. Their attempts to get assistance through 9-1-1 were unsuccessful because they could not understand the automated English message. When they visited the police station to identify potential suspects, no staff member could help them in Cantonese. Another citizen in the station, also there to identify suspects, was asked to help interpret for the couple. The form they were asked to fill out reporting the crime was only available in English.

"This lawsuit will give Mayor Dellums the opportunity to remedy the failures of the prior City Administrator Deborah Edgerly to implement and enforce the ordinance," said attorney Luz Buitrago.

Gilda Gonzalez, CEO of The Spanish Speaking Unity Council, concurred. "We can no longer wait for the City to voluntarily comply with this ordinance. It is preventing these residents from being civically engaged, and is an unnecessary roadblock for those seeking to be responsible and law abiding citizens. Enough is enough."

Family Bridges, Inc. is a forty-year old, health and social services nonprofit organization based in Oakland, focused on creating solutions for the challenges faced by some of the most vulnerable in our community by providing direct services to over 10,000 low-to moderate-income Asian limited English proficient immigrants, seniors and families each year. For more information, contact Corinne Jan, (510) 839-2270 x201, corinnej@fambridges.org

Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA)-East Bay is the local chapter of a national nonprofit organization consisting of over 80 chapters and affiliates, dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States. OCA aims to embrace the hopes and aspirations of nearly 12 million Asian Pacific Americans in the United States. Contact Danny Wan, (510) 682-8305, wan.danny@gmail.com.

The Spanish Speaking Unity Council is a non-profit community development corporation committed to creating a healthier and safer community for families and residents by implementing and managing integrated programs addressing economic, social, and physical development. Contact Gilda Gonzalez, (510) 535-6900, ggonzales@unitycouncil.org

California ACORN is an affiliate of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, a national grassroots, community-based organization of low- and moderate-income families working together for social justice and stronger communities. California ACORN is composed of 40,000 member families in 23cities throughout California. Contact Derecka Mehrens, (510) 535-9882, caacorn@acorn.org

Public Advocates Inc. is a non-profit law firm and advocacy organization that challenges the systemic causes of poverty and racial discrimination by strengthening community voices in public policy and achieving tangible legal victories advancing education, housing and transit equity. Contact Michelle Natividad Rodriguez, (415) 431-7430, x311, mrodriguez@publicadvocates.org

Luz Buitrago is a civil rights attorney in the East Bay. She works advocating for equal opportunities for all of our citizens, including those with limited English proficiency, and supported and has been advocating for implementation of the ordinance.. Contact her at (510) 524-6268, lbuitrago@earthlink.net

China Earthquake Vigil June 2, 4:30pm - 6:00pm

2008-05-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

Please join the Oakland Chinatown Chamber Foundation for the China Earthquake Vigil on Monday, June 2 from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center located at 388-9th Street, Suite 290, Oakland. Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Councilmember Henry Chang will be speaking on the impact of the China earthquake and discuss what you can do to prepare for a disaster.

The China Earthquake Relief Effort is supported by State Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, State Assemblyman Sandre Swanson, County Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker and many community organizations. We look forward to seeing you on Monday!

Sincerely,

Carl Chan

Oakland Chinatown Chamber Foundation

Chinese Flyer
English Flyer

Oakland Candidates Forum

2008-05-20T11:57:00.000-07:00

The Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce will host an At-Large Candidates Forum on Tuesday, May 27, from 6 to 8:30 PM, at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. Come and hear from the candidates themselves where they stand on issues including economic development, public safety and education.

We have invited the following five candidates for Councilmember, At Large
seat:

Kerry Hamill
Rebecca Kaplan
Franklin Eric Rose
Clinton Killian
Charles Pine

Frank Kiang Scholarship Recipient

2008-05-05T15:35:00.000-07:00

OCA in partner with the Port of Oakland Asian Employees Association is proud to award Kholoud Abdullah with the first Frank Kiang Scholarship award. In the photo above, Frank Kiang's son Stanley Kiang presents Kholoud with the award.

Kholoud arrived in the US from Yemen two and a half years ago without any English language skills whatsoever. In the short time since, she has not only mastered English, but also has excelled in her studies, amassing a GPA that is close to 4.0! In fact, many of her classmates now look to her for assistance and she regularly tutors in various subjects including math, physics, chemistry, and biotechnology. She is known by her teachers as having "a powerful drive to succeed, a love for learning, great curiosity, a strong intellect as well as a fantastic work habits".

In addition to tutoring, Kholoud has been involved with the Journalism Club as an editor and contributor, the Environment Friend's Club as president, and in an effort at her school in Yemen to create a fund to pay tuition for girls in need, a common and widespread issue in Yemen. In the US, she has taken internships at Children's Hospital and Biotech Partners, and worked part-time at Alameda County Medical Center. She writes, "I want to go to college, but it will be tough for me to decide my major among all the subjects that I like: math, physics, chemistry, biotech, or political science. However, as a student of minority group I want to help other minority students go to college, because education can definitely be a tool to strengthen my community. I want to be a Cardiologist and help people who cannot afford medical insurance by opening my own clinic.

Congratulations Kholoud!

Membership Luncheon

2008-04-01T23:47:00.000-07:00

During the membership luncheon held on March 27, 2008 OCA-East Bay members raised concerns facing Asian Pacific Americans in the East Bay; several concerns focused on the increasing lack of APA leaders. It was noted that an effort to connect with youth and offer information on available opportunities and on the importance APA political participation is necessary. Other issues included an East Bay program trying to increase voter turnout of registered APA absentee voters, and possible funding from Allstate for a program to combat hate crimes.

"Out to Lunch"

2008-03-13T19:34:00.000-07:00

ORGANIZATION OF CHINESE AMERICANS
EAST BAY CHAPTER

2008 MEMBERSHIP & SUPPORTERS
“Out to Lunch” Luncheon

No Speeches, No Agendas and No PowerPoint Presentation
Just a “Get-to-Know” and Chat Over Lunch
with Other OCA Members and Supporters
about:

What Matters to Asian Americans in the East Bay?
and
What Should OCA Do About It?

Chat Leader:
Danny Wan, OCA-East Bay President

Thursday, March 27, 2008
Luncheon starts at noon

Silver Dragon Restaurant
835 Webster St, Oakland, CA 94607 MAP
$40 includes lunch & 2008 OCA Membership

Please RSVP to:
Suzie Lee: 510-836-6688 ext.103 or
Edward Tom: edwardtom1@yahoo.com

For more information:
Danny Wan: 510-682-8305
www.ocaeastbay.org

South Bay Chinese Service Club Scholarship

2008-01-28T18:04:00.001-08:00

The South Bay Chinese Service Club is awarding scholarships to graduating high school seniors residing in Fremont, Newark and Union City. The scholarship application deadline is February 29, 2008.

Additional information and applications available at:
http://www.sbcclub.org/SBCC%20Scholarship%20AppInfo.html

AEA Scholarship Program

2008-01-10T18:52:00.000-08:00

The Asian Employees Association (AEA) at the Port of Oakland is a non-profit organization founded by Port employees in 1991.

In 1993 the AEA established a scholarship program to encourage deserving high school students from the community to pursue post-secondary education. Since then the AEA has awarded 126 scholarships totaling $160,500.

In 2008, AEA expects to award scholarships from $1,000 to $4,000 up to a total of $30,000.

1) If submitting by U.S. Postal Service mail, applications must be postmarked no later than January 25, 2008.

2) If submitting in person, applications must be delivered to the Port of Oakland offices no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, January 28, 2008.

More information and applications available at
http://www.portaea.org/scholarship/scholarship.html

OCA 2008 Scholarship Applications Now Available

2008-01-08T16:57:00.000-08:00

Washington, DC—OCA is pleased to announce that applications for the 2008 OCA Scholarship Program are now available online. Up to sixty $2000 scholarships will be awarded to incoming Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) college freshmen for the 2008-2009 academic school year. OCA recognizes that scholarships and financial aid play an essential role in helping students achieve a college education.

"OCA is dedicated to education in the APIA community," said OCA National President Ginny Gong. "We recognize the need to provide opportunities for students who do not have access to the financial resources necessary to pursue higher education."

Although the average level of education for the APIA community is higher than the national average, the statistics are misleading. While there are many members of the APIA community who have advanced degrees, there are also countless others who are unable to attend college due to financial reasons. Through its many scholarships, OCA strives to achieve its goals of promoting civic participation, education, and leadership.

“For the 2008 OCA Scholarship Program, OCA offers a variety of scholarships to economically disadvantaged APIAs. OCA offers scholarships for students who can demonstrate financial need, high achievement, and for those who are the first member in their family to attend college in the United States,” said OCA Executive Director Michael Lin.

For more information on OCA’s scholarship programs and an application, please follow the link to the OCA National website. The deadline for applying to the 2008 OCA Scholarship Programs is April 18, 2008.

http://www.ocanational.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=185&Itemid=

Applications:
2008 OCA Scholarship Application (Word Version)

2008 OCA Scholarship Application (PDF Version)

Contact:
Douglas Lee | Senior Program Manager
202 223 5500 | dlee@ocanational.org

OCA-East Bay Founder Frank Kiang Memorial Service

2007-12-26T01:45:00.000-08:00

Frank Kiang passed away earlier this week. He was a co-founder of the OCA-East Bay and a former board member for OCA-National.

In loving memory of Frank Kiang

June 14, 1943 – December 18, 2007

Frank Fu-Jen Kiang passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 18th, at his home in Oakland, California, after a five year battle with cancer. Born of Liang-Kwei and Pansy Kiang, in Chongqing, China, and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, along with his sister Fu-Ting and brother, Sherman, Frank began inauspiciously as an underachiever who was always getting into trouble. However, after leaving for the U.S. at age 21, he began to realize his potential. He earned his Bachelor's degree at the University of California at Berkeley, a Master's degree at Washington University in St. Louis, and his Ph.D. in Economics at Oklahoma State University. He founded what is now Metropolitan Bank in 1981 and held the position of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board at the time of his passing.

He sought to raise the standing and visibility of Asian Americans through his activism in the Organization of Chinese Americans and the Asian American Bankers Association, and served his community as a member of both the Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation Board of Advisors (2000-2007) and the Port of Oakland Board of Commissioners (1998-2006).

Even in view of his great professional and community accomplishments, he considered his family his greatest success. He married Rosaline, his wife of 38 years, on February 1, 1969, and had two sons, Henry and Stan. He was a devoted husband and wonderful father.

He was and continues to be a role model and inspiration to his family, friends, and community for his leadership, integrity and humanity.

The memorial service will be held on December 28th, 2007, at 1:00 pm, at the Chapel of the Chimes, located at 4499 Piedmont Ave , Oakland , CA 94611 , with a viewing service on December 27th from 5-8:00 pm.

Photos from OCA 20th Anniversary Banquet, September 28, 2007

2007-10-04T17:57:00.000-07:00

OCA-East Bay's 20th Anniversary Banquet was a success, with a turnout of about 230 attendees in support of "Equal Access and Equal Opportunities." Those in attendance included California State Controller John Chiang, President of Laney College Frank Chong, Alameda County Supervisor Alice Lai Bitker, Oakland City Council member Pat Kernighan, Alameda City Council member Lena Tam, and California Board of Equalization Betty Yee. Attendees from the Port of Oakland included Port Commissioner President Anthony Batarse, 1st VP Mark McClure, 2nd VP Darlene Ayers-Johnson, Port Commissioner Victor Uno, Port Executive Director Omar Benjamin. and Port Director of Maritime James Kwon.

Article from Sing Tao Daily
Chinese
English

2007-09-04T14:59:00.000-07:00

The Organization of Chinese Americans
East Bay chapter

CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND
OCA – EAST BAY 20th ANNIVERSARY BANQUET

Keynote
Joseph Wong
Chief Operation Officer of the Port of Oakland
“Equal Access and Equal Opportunities”

Honoring
Kaiser Permanente
for its commitment to equal access
and language and cultural access programs

Introducing
James Kwon
The new Maritime Director of the Port of Oakland

Date: Friday, September 28th, 2007, @ 6:00 pm
Place: Oakland Asian cultural center
388 9th Street, 2nd Floor, Oakland
Cost: $ 100 per person $80 for OCA members

RSVP
Suzie Lee, 510.836.6688 ext.103, or suzie@yhla.net, by 09/21/2007

Port of Oakland Commissioners Appoint James Kwon as New Port Maritime Director

2007-08-19T23:54:00.000-07:00

New Director Brings More Than 25 Years Experience in International Trade

The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners has just appointed James J. Kwon as its new Director of Maritime. Mr. Kwon was previously the President and CEO of Total Terminals International, LLC in Long Beach, California. The Commission announced the appointment of Mr. Kwon at its regular meeting Tuesday, August 7, 2007.

“James Kwon has extensive international trade experience which will be of great benefit to the Port of Oakland in his new role as Director of Maritime,” said Port Board President Anthony Batarse. “We believe that his expertise in the ocean carrier and container industry will help maintain the Port of Oakland’s position as one of the nation’s largest container ports in the country and its significance as an international gateway,” he added.

As the Director of Maritime, Mr. Kwon will be responsible for the operations, management, and marketing of the Maritime Division for the Port, which includes planning and development of maritime terminal facilities. He is filling a position left vacant by former Maritime Director Wilson Lacy, who left the Port of Oakland earlier this year.

While serving as President and CEO of Total Terminals International (TTI), Mr. Kwon was primarily responsible for building a terminal-operating company which now has container terminals at three major West coast ports: Oakland, Long Beach and Seattle. During his tenure, he helped TTI grow its revenue by as much as 250%, and its total container volumes by 30%.

Prior to TTI, Mr. Kwon was also a sales manager for Hanjin Shipping Company, marketing director for Palmco Corporation and district sales manager for United States Shipping Lines.

“I am very pleased that James will be assuming the position as Director of Maritime,” said Executive Director Omar Benjamin. “Over the next several years, the Port will be facing numerous challenges as activity at the Port continues to increase and James will play a significant role in the Port’s ability to meet the needs of our customers and our community. He will be leading a great team of Maritime staff in meeting all of these challenges in the years ahead.”

Mr. Kwon is married with two children. He possesses a Kendo Master certification (4th degree black belt) and he can speak both Korean and Chinese.

Encore Performance: ToiZounZ'& RiddimZ' August 3rd @ Oakland Museum featuring William Poy Lee

2007-07-31T21:53:00.001-07:00

Dear Friends -- due to popular demand, there will be an Encore performance of ToiZounZ' and RiddimZ' at the Oakland Museum of California, Friday, 7:30 PM on August 3rd, 2007. Please see poster below for more details or visit the website for a video clip of the first performance at CHSA.

But wait, there's more to the performance reading!!!
1. A Choral Reading of my mother's voice in the Clan Sisterhood chapters and the making of the eight promises;

2. Clan Sister songs explained and sang by Leslie Yee, a Toisanese American;

3. An interview with Ms. Poy Jen Lee in Toisanese and translated (if she feels well enough that night); and

4. Traditional treats & libations afterwards with book sales and book signing.

Please forward the e-flyer below and hope to see you there. Parking in museum's underground garage and streets and near Lake Merritt BART station.

How to waive the admission fee: If you wish only to attend ToiZounZ' and RiddimZ' or because of the size of your group, we can waive the $8 per person fee for you. Please let us know now by e-mailing Janet Chan at: jylchan@yahoo.com and we will place you on the complementary guest list.

Oakland is Cookin': Our Performance Reading is part of the First Friday series, where once a month, a lively dance group performs at the Museum's cafe and full bar (blues band this month), all galleries stay open, and a series of events in rooms and the garden go on into the evening until around 10 PM. For the admission price of $8, you may come earlier and have a light dinner, visit a few galleries, and stay afterwards to dance a little. AND of course check out ToiZounZ' and RiddimZ'. There's also shuttle service to and from Oakland's First Friday open house of Art Galleries featuring new and established artists.

On Another Note -- is this the first time that Toisanese has been heard on NPR? Please check out a very sweet radio interview with my mother in Toisanese (translated by me into American) as well as mostly with me. The link is the NPR show http://thestory.org with Dick Gordon, emanating out of WUNC, North Carolina Public Radio, and broadcasted throughout the Midwest, Southeast, and Idaho. Please enter "The Eighth Promise" into the search box to find the 1/2 hour on-line broadcast. Thanks to KQED-FM studios for hosting our side of the broadcast.

Also, a wonderful and wide-ranging interview with Michael Thoms on New Dimensions will be airing shortly -- date still pending.

All best -- William Poy Lee
For the latest visit: www.TheEighthPromise.com (Opens a new window)
Critical reviews, video reading, NPR interview, photos, major excerpt and more
On-sale nationally in select indie, B&N, other stores and on-line

Fall Fundrasising Banquet, September 28, 2007

2007-07-25T11:24:00.000-07:00

JOE WONG APPOINTED PORT OF OAKLAND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER - To Be Honored At OCA Fall Banquet

Joe Wong, Organization of Chinese Americans East Bay President in 2006, has been appointed the Chief Operating Officer at the Port of Oakland. In his new position, Mr. Wong will oversee the Port’s maritime, aviation and commercial real estate operations. “I am thrilled. Joe deserves this position. He is highly regarded by employees at the Port. He has also been a visible leader in the Asian-American community in the East Bay,” says Danny Wan, OCA-East Bay’s current president.

The theme of this year's dinner is "Equal Access, Equal Opportunities." We will be honoring Kaiser Permanente for its excellence in ensuring equal access to its services. To attend or sponsor, please contact Yui Hay Lee at yuihay@yhla.net or 510-836-6688.

The banquet event will be held on the evening of Friday, September 28 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th Street between Franklin and Webster in the Pacific Renaissance Plaza.

Bamboo Gate and Glass Ceiling

2007-07-19T17:38:00.000-07:00

Asians Left Out of Government Jobs and Promotions at East Bay Agencies

By Edward Tom

Government jobs are known to be good wage jobs with great benefits. For many in the Asian-American community, getting a good city job is a sign of success. However, an OCA investigation of the hiring statistics of East Bay public agencies – city of Oakland, the Port of Oakland, East Bay Municipal Utility District and Bay Area Rapid Transit – shows that Asian-Americans are being left out of traditional public works jobs and slow in being promoted to management positions.

A gap between employment and Asian-Americans available in the workforce is most prominent in management positions – the “glass ceiling” phenomenon – because employees hit a discriminatory ceiling above which they cannot be promoted. Asians are also significantly under hired in the public works and blue-collar jobs.

Public Agency Studies Find Disparities Between Employment and Asians Available to Work

Federal law requires agencies receiving federal funds to study their employment practices. East Bay agencies periodically study their workforce by job categories and by race. They then compare the ethnic makeup of their employees against the makeup of the available workforce pool from which they hire. So, for example, if 10% of an agency’s workforce is Asian-Americans and 16% of the available workforce in the relevant area is Asian, then the agency has underutilized Asian-Americans by 6%.

The city of Oakland, by far the largest public agency in the East Bay with over 5,400 employees, recently released its employment study. The study showed that Asian Americans are underutilized in 3 out of 8 job categories. The biggest disparity is in the category of service/maintenance workers where Asians are underutilized by 9.35% (translating into 56 positions). In the management and director ranks, Asians are underutilized by 4.51%, or almost 17 positions.

In 2006, EBMUD had 62 Directors/Managers; Asian underutilization within this group was 11% or close to 7 positions. Underrepresentation in various other job groups include 14% (5.0 jobs) for Technicians, 10% (3.3 jobs) for Plant Operators Lead/Supervision and 10% (7.7 jobs) for Lab & Quality Control Technicians.

At the end of the year 2000, BART was above or only a few percent below placement goals for most of their non-managerial job groups. However, of the 156 Executives / Managers, only 6.5% or 10.1 people were Asian. According to their placement goals, there was a deficit of 11.4% (7.4 positions) for transportation supervisors, 10.1% (8.1 positions) for other supervisors, and 9.2% (9.2 positions) for other foreworkers. Only within the Transportation Foreworker and Police Supervisors and Managers were they above goal.

The Port of Oakland had 45 Officials / Managers in 2005 and Asians were underutilized by 5.0%, or 2.3 positions. Since The Port had the fewest employees, the number of underrepresented is low. They do however, hold the highest underrepresentation percentage: 22.1% for Operatives. This, only amounts to 3.3 persons because there were only 15 people within the job group. Another astounding figure was that out of 28 Laborers, zero were Asian.

Why The Hiring and Promotion Disparity?

When asked what the city of Oakland is doing to ensure workforce diversity, Don Jeffries, Equal Opportunity Programs Division Manager, explained that they are conducting compliance reviews, barrier analyses and have an EEO plan. However, there are some challenges. Sometimes data is not yet available for determining progress, or creating plans, policies and strategies for addressing deficiencies. “It’s a long term effort.” In addition, the city is planning to review strategies to reduce any imbalances.

Another possible explanation, according to the EBMUD FY06 Program Report, is that “most of the turnover in District manager and director positions will occur in the next two to five years due to the relatively higher age profile of long-term incumbents in these positions.” In other words, as the Baby Boomer generation begins to reach retirement age changes should occur in the workforce.

Although the Port of Oakland received federal funding this year and in past years, and therefore is subject to requirement to prevent discrimination, as of late March 2007, The Port had only a draft workforce diversity study conducted in 2005 that was never completed.

BART is meeting placement goals in many of its job positions, however its latest Affirmative Action Report, from December 2000, is based on 1990 Census data and is more than six years old. BART Civil Rights Officer, Ron Granada, stated, “Our plan covers a 5-year period. Our new EOP is in progress.” The new Equal Opportunity Program report would be based on the 2000 Census information.

Asian-Americans need to act

A former city of Oakland employee who wishes to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the information, offers a different explanation: “For many positions, the City tends to promote and hire based on who you know. So, if Asian-Americans do not know the people who already work at the City, they will not get hired. We need to be more assertive.”

During a recent lunch workshop sponsored by OCA-East Bay, Jack Lee, an attorney specializing in employment, consumer fraud and civil rights law at Minami Tamaki LLP, and Elaine Lew-Smith, the Affirmative Action Officer at EBMUD discussed with 45 participants some of the causes of disparity. During the discussion, one participant stated that Asians do not have someone like Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton who will advocate on our behalf. Greg Chan of OCA-East Bay commented, “If you say something about African Americans, they’ll come after you, but if you say something about Asians, maybe not.” Lee pointed out that this is all connected with “political sophistication” and “access to power.” “If Asians are discriminated against, they tend to leave or don’t complain,” replied Lew-Smith. “It’s hard as an individual, but if we don’t stand up as a group, no one will care.” Another issue is that since there are fewer Asians in management positions, there are fewer to serve as mentors or role models.

Does this show that the agencies are using discriminatory practices?

Some contend that the disparities are indication of either intentional or unconscious discrimination against Asian-Americans for certain jobs and promotions, however proving discrimination may be difficult. During the workshop, Lee explained that while workforce statistics show that Asians are underutilized in many job groups, they do not necessarily show that there is discrimination. Additionally, if statistics showing underutilization were presented in court, some opponents would say Asians deserve credit for areas of overrepresentation. It is necessary to identify a process that is causing discrimination against a legally protected group based on age, gender, race, language, et cetera. The minimum required to make a discrimination case is someone within a protected group not getting a job, while someone outside of that group gets the job instead.

What can employees and employers do about underutilization?

At the workshop, Elaine Lew-Smith stated that after Proposition 209 passed, many believed that you could not do selective hiring. “Not true”, says Lew-Smith. Employers can still do focused recruiting when underutilized. To help address underutilization, EBMUD offers various programs to develop diversity, leadership, and training among its employees, as well as internships and education programs to help recruit minority and female employees. The standard employers should strive to achieve is workforce representation equal to Labor Market representation.

Two questions to consider when reviewing an employer’s hiring process…

Are they recruiting candidates representative of the labor market?
Do any racial or gender candidate groups pass the selection process at a rate significantly below other groups?”

Two questions to consider when reviewing an employer’s promotion rate…

Are any racial / gender groups failing to promote at the rate they are represented in the feeder groups?
Do they offer training programs to assist employee’s development and enhance supervisors / managers cultural competency?

What does OCA –plan to do?

To reach a wider audience, East Bay OCA - East Bay plans to follow up the luncheon workshop by sponsoring a larger “town-hall” meeting on the issue of underutilization and glass ceilings. Attendees will include local organizations, as well as more of the public and public officials.

In September, an annual fundraising banquet will feature a keynote speaker on this issue. The “town-hall” meeting will be held after the banquet in October or November.

2007 OCA National Convention - Sacramento, CA

2007-07-16T13:37:00.000-07:00

Photos from the 29th Annual OCA National Convention.

About OCA

2007-07-13T14:48:00.000-07:00

Board of Directors
Bylaws

"Embracing the Hopes and Aspirations of APAs."

Founded in 1973 as the Organization of Chinese Americans, OCA is a national nonprofit organization consisting of over 80 chapters and affiliates, dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States. OCA aims to embrace the hopes and aspirations of nearly 12 million Asian Pacific Americans in the United States.

OCA-East Bay was established in 1987 to represent the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Purpose:

To maintain an association of Asian Pacific Americans in the East Bay area to advance the interest of all Asian Pacific Americans.
To promote friendship and cooperation among its members.
To discourage and eliminiate all forms of racial and ethnic prejudice and discrimination in society.
To promote equal opportunity and full participation of Asian Pacific Americans in mainstream America.
To promote cultural heritage and enhance the image of Asian Pacific Americans.

OCA takes no collective position on the politics of any foreign country, but instead focuses on the welfare and civil rights of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States.

OCA-East Bay encourages you to attend our local meetings.
Last Tuesday of every month at 6pm.
For current meeting location please contact us at comments@ocaeastbay.org.

Links

2007-07-12T15:35:00.000-07:00

Local OCA Chapters

OCA-Silicon Valley
OCA-San Francisco
OCA-Sacramento
OCA-San Mateo

OCA National Organization headquartered in Washington DC.
http://www.ocanational.org/

Job Listings

Bay Area Rapid Transit
http://www.bart.gov/about/jobs/jobsIndex.asp

City of Oakland Jobs
http://www.oaklandnet.com/government/jobs/current_openings.html

East Bay Municipal Utility District
https://portal.ebmud.com/vra/sigma5/JobListings.aspx

Port of Oakland
http://www.portofoakland.com/jobcente/

Additional job listings through the Port of Oakland's Employment Resources Development Program
http://www.portofoakland.com/jobcente/erdp.asp

Board of Directors

2007-07-09T12:35:00.000-07:00

Officers

President: Chi-Hsin Shao
Vice President: Stanley Kiang
Treasurer: Norman Hui

Board Members

Gregory Chan

Lily Hu

Colland Jang

Francis Lan

Suzie Lee

Yui Hay Lee

Alex Nguyen

Danny Wan

Joe Wong

Alan Yee

Communications Secretary

Edward Tom

Contact Us

2007-06-22T15:54:00.000-07:00

For updates on local events and news from OCA-East Bay, or if you have any comments or questions please send email to
comments@ocaeastbay.org

John Chiang: The First Asian Pacific American California State Controller

2007-04-27T00:18:00.000-07:00

By Edward Tom

Elected in November 2006, John Chiang is California’s first Asian Pacific American State Controller. He serves as the state’s Chief Financial Officer and presides over the Franchise Tax Board. Chiang is a member of the state’s twelve constitutional officers making him one of the highest ranking APA officeholders in the United States. As a board member of California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS), he helps administer a combined portfolio of $300 billion. In all, he serves on 76 state boards and commissions with duties ranging from building new hospitals to protecting California’s coastline.

As the son of Taiwanese immigrants, Chiang born in New York during the 1960s when racial and community divisions were at their peak. Challenging these issues were two of Chiang’s heroes—Dr. Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy—who helped inspire his interest in public service.

After graduating with honors, holding a degree in Finance from the University of South Florida and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, he set off to Los Angeles in 1987 to work as a tax law specialist for the IRS. Chiang later went on to work as an attorney for then State Controller, Gray Davis, and as staff member to Senator Barbara Boxer, Congressman Mel Levine, State Controller Candidate, Don Perata, and Kathleen Brown during her race for Governor.

While serving as the Chief of Staff for Brad Sherman, a member of the California State Board of Equalization, Chiang assumed the role of acting Board Member when Sherman was elected to Congress. In 1998, he succeeded in his own campaign to represent the 4^th Equalization District (comprised of 8.5 million residents in Los Angeles County) and was elected to a second term in 2002.

Recently OCA was able to catch up with John Chiang in an on-phone interview.

OCA: Can you tell me about how you decided to enter politics?

CHIANG: I was working for the Internal Revenue Service after I graduated from the Georgetown University law center. I had an interest in public policy, not necessarily politics. When I went to Washington DC I worked for a couple members of congress. I thought it was a great medium and arena to affect public policy change. I thought it was a positive experience, and when I came out to California and was given an opportunity to engage in public policy outside of just the tax arena, I took the chance.

OCA: How can we encourage more Asian Pacific Americans to vote?

There are multiple dynamics that will secure or encourage political participation of Asian Pacific Americans.

First there is the winner strategy. Everyone likes a winner; as APA become more successful politically I think a lot more people will be attracted to the process. They will see APA and others making effective changes, and they will understand that they too have the same opportunities. The barriers to entry will be significantly reduced, which has been a major impediment for a lot of individuals in emerging communities not just the APA community. How do we get into the middle of the process? How do we have our opinions valued? How do we have our work incorporated into the mainstream, and as you see new faces, as you hear new voices, I think people will understand that it’ll be easier.

Secondly, now coming down the bend, I think the APA community might be forced to participate on a civil rights and equality issue as we have a change in international finance and economics. As we witnessed a couple years ago when the Chinese government wanted to purchase a United States oil company, there was a significant backlash. I think people are not used to other governments having the same economic wherewithal as we do here in the US. I think that creates a potential for enormous backlash against APAs as this greed and crime rises. I think the only way for us to maintain our vital participation and our civic democracy is to build a safe political infrastructure by voting, running for offices, and campaigning for candidates who are sensitive to human rights and civil rights issues of APAs.

OCA: As a role model for young APAs, what advice can you give to those who aspire to enter politics?

Do what you love! You can enter into the public policy arena in so many ways. It’s not just running for office, it’s running for commission. It’s voter participation. Do what you love. People think there’s a set formula. A lot of people unfortunately are jaded. Everybody is unique, they can make an individual contribution, so understand how the process works and add your own individual qualities and flavor to your political participation.

OCA: What issues, in the political or civic arena, do you think APAs need to focus more attention on?

First they need to be educated about the public policy and political process, and how they can be efficient and effective in enhancing their power. I think many people are scared or frankly detest the notion of power; Power is positive if used correctly It is, in essence, leverage allowing you to communicate and work with individuals who can promote a role of law that creates opportunity for all Californian and American residents . If you are absent from that process, then the process works against you. Whether it’s individuals or organizations, they need to work together to build a relationship with the commissioners and elected officials who make the decisions and institute a process through which they can be decision makers themselves.

OCA: What is one of the most challenging situations that you’ve faced in your life?

At a personal level, the most challenging was the loss of my sister. Nobody expects to lose a loved one especially my sister in her late twenties. When people are dear to you, you expect them to have another 40 or 50 years.

Externally, we faced extraordinary discrimination when I was a young child. In essence it’s dealing with people’s lack of cultural understanding. You can call it ignorance to be treated differently based on external features that aren’t necessarily well grounded. What makes people more insightful, stronger, and better able to communicate is not always through circumstances that are necessarily easy. What is important is how you use that life experience and what better opportunities you create through your work.

OCA: What is the most important task that you would like to achieve as State Controller of California?

The most important task that I have now is trying to create stable fiscal health for California’s economy. We are entering a period of tremendous struggle. The revenue numbers aren’t matching earlier projections, so we have to make sure we have a healthy fiscal situation so that we don’t jeopardize students in education, seniors or disabled that need health care, or others in need. In California’s underground economy, millions of tax dollars are not collected because of illegal activity or ignorance. To manage these situations, we need to budget properly to enhance opportunities for maximizing revenue and bring the best fiscal practices to this state.

OCA: Is there anything else that you would like to say to our readers?

The organization of Chinese Americans has an extraordinary opportunity in our growing diversity to leave a major footprint in the financial, political, and social well being of the United States. They’ve shown a growing measure of advocacy on some of the recent federal appointments and major issues. I think if the membership and those outside the community will support the work of OCA, then we can take the next giant stride to progress but, it won’t come easily. The organization and its supporters will need to engage in significant efforts so that we can keep up with the challenging times ahead.

For more information on John Chiang and the State Controller’s Office please visit their website at www.sco.ca.gov/

2007-04-26T13:16:00.000-07:00

April 26, 2007 - Glass Ceiling Luncheon

OCA – East Bay held a lunch discussion on the subject of Asian Pacific Americans and the “Glass Ceiling” in East Bay public agencies. OCA board member Greg Chan moderated the event featuring two speakers: Jack Lee, attorney at Minami Tamaki LLP, specializing in employment, consumer fraud and civil rights law and Elaine Lew-Smith, Affirmative Action Officer at East Bay Municipal Utility District.

Attendees included East Bay public employees, Oakland police officers, small business owners, and various other interested individuals.

From left, Elaine Lew-Smith Affirmative Action Officer at EBMUD and Jack Lee attorney at Minami Tamaki LLP.

Greg Chan OCA-East Bay board member speaking to luncheon attendees.

Luncheon audience

End

Ted Turner Apology

2007-03-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

March 14, 2007

Background: Last week, CNN founder Ted Turner addressed a major corporate conference in the Bay Area, hosted by the Bay Area Council. Mr. Turner was the keynote lunch speaker, and when asked about the future of alternative fuel use in China, he replied, "The Chinese are very smart people. Have you ever met a dumb Chinaman?" An attendee noted that the audience did not react to the offensive word, and some laughed, including the moderator.

OCA-East Bay Chapter alerted the OCA national office to this incident. The national office sent a letter to Mr. Turner, informing him about the derogatory nature of the word, and its violent history. Mr. Turner's office responded immediately, issuing a statement of apology. Both OCA's original letter and Mr. Turner's response are below.

***

OCA'S LETTER:
March 13, 2007

Mr. Ted Turner
One CNN Center
Atlanta, GA 30303

Dear Mr. Turner:

On behalf of OCA, a national Asian Pacific American Organization with 80 chapters and affiliates nation-wide, I am writing to express our dismay at your use of derogatory slang to refer to people of Chinese descent during your address at the Bay Area Council's recent Outlook conference on March 8, 2007.

We received a report from our chapter in the Bay Area that, in answering a question about the use of alternative fuels in China, you used the term "Chinaman." While there is sometimes confusion about the word, it has a loaded meaning in the Asian Pacific American community.

The word gains most of its notoriety from the late nineteenth century, from the time of the California Gold Rush and continental railroad expansion. This was an era in which tensions between white and Chinese laborers ran high; the US Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, a ban on the further immigration of Chinese to the US; and numerous lynchings and other violent attacks on Chinese in the US occurred frequently, including the Chinese Massacre of 1871, when a white mob entered Los Angeles' Chinatown and brutally killed around 20 Chinese residents.

"Chinaman" came to be used to describe people of Chinese descent in an insulting and racist manner, with many negative implications on the character of both the individual and the Chinese people as a whole. A "Chinaman" was inferior to whites, duplicitous and stupid. Today, the word still has derogatory connotations.

We trust that you did not use the word with any racist intent, but we think the use of the term in a public forum, especially one in which the audience included Asian Pacific Americans, was highly inappropriate and offensive.

We hope this letter has been helpful in bringing to light the legacy of violence and racism associated with the word "Chinaman," and we welcome further dialogue with you and your staff. We look forward to your timely response.

Sincerely,

Ginny Gong
OCA National President

***

TURNER'S RESPONSE:
Statement by Ted Turner:

I sincerely regret my recent comments made at the Bay Area Council's Outlook conference on Thursday, May 8th in San Francisco. As many people know, I do not believe in any form of prejudice or discrimination, and was unaware that the term "Chinaman" was derogatory and hurtful to the Asian Pacific American community. I have the deepest respect for all cultures and have dedicated what time and resources I have to unify this diverse country and world around the common cause of greater peace. Please accept my apology for any anguish my remarks may have caused, as it was not my intention to offend or disrespect anyone.

-----------------------------------------------
Hope Chu
hchu@ocanational.org

Communications Manager :: OCA
1322 18th St NW
Washington DC 20036

fon: 202 223 5500
fax: 202 296 0540
web: www.ocanational.org

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