OCA-East Bay Reports a Successful Banquet Event!

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