The National Convention of the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) and the OCA’s 50th Anniversary National Convention were successfully concluded in Washington D.C., the capital of the United States. This five-day event, held from July 12th to 16th, attracted the participation of attendees from the White House, federal officials, thought leaders, activists, community members, and students. The theme of the conference was “Organize, Connect, Act!” with the aim of inspiring, connecting, and mobilizing Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities across the nation to create a better future.
Previous NextAdrienne Poon, Chair of OCA-DC, played a significant role as the host of the OCA National Conference. Her dedication to community outreach, education, and health initiatives attracted attendees. Adrienne Poon’s leadership and commitment to advocating for health equity were evident and further acknowledged at the 2023 OCA National Conference. She shared her expertise and insights with other distinguished panel members at the Advancing Health Equity and Community Well-Being session. The conference aimed to address the critical issue of health disparities in AANHPI communities and explore ways to achieve health equity and improve well-being.
On July 14th, Professor Xiaoxing Xi from Temple University in Philadelphia was invited to participate in a session titled “How Asian Americans Are Profiled as Disloyal.” This session was part of the Advocacy Braintrusts Track and garnered significant attention from attendees.
As a renowned physicist, Professor Xi captivated the audience with his personal experience of unfair treatment. He had previously become a newsmaker after being wrongfully accused in the context of national security, providing valuable insights into the heightened scrutiny faced by Asian Americans. His testimony emphasized the importance of understanding the complexity and consequences of such portrayals.
During the session, Professor Xi emphasized the significance of addressing these issues and reforming discriminatory practices. He highlighted the disproportionate impact on certain communities and called for continued efforts to rectify the injustices committed against Asian Americans.
Other members of the session included Aryani Ong, co-founder of the Asian American Federal Employees for Nondiscrimination (AAFEN); Gisela Kusakawa, founder and executive director of the Asian American Scholars Forum (AASF); and Michael Young, co-founder and outreach ambassador of AAFEN. Together, they shared their expertise and insights, revealing the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.
On July 15th, Wei Chen from the Asian American United (AAU) participated in a session titled “Grassroots Collaboration Seeds,” another part of the Advocacy Braintrusts Track.
As a prominent spokesperson, Wei Chen, representing AAU from Philadelphia, emphasized the importance of grassroots organizing in areas lacking AANHPI advocacy precedents.
The session aimed to change the mainstream perception of social justice movements, as mainstream society often focuses only on prominent organizations and leaders from well-known regions. Wei, along with other speakers, emphasized the significance of exploring organizing work in areas with limited AANHPI representation and addressing notable issues such as environmental justice and gentrification.
As a renowned advocate for civic engagement, Wei’s expertise captivated the audience, and he shared valuable insights. He discussed the necessity of inclusive movements that prioritize the concerns of communities frequently overlooked in the national narrative about Asian and Pacific Islanders. The session provided a platform for grassroots organizers to learn from each other, recognizing their invaluable contributions and emphasizing their potential to drive meaningful change.
Other distinguished speakers who participated in the session discussion with Wei Chen included Roland Hwang from OCA-Detroit, Jacqueline Thanh, Executive Director of VAYLA, and Agaiotupu Viena from UTOPIA-Washington. Together, they explored the challenges and strategies of launching transformative movements in areas or issues lacking Asian and Pacific Islander organizational history.
Previous NextFurthermore, several high-ranking officials from the federal government attended the conference, including LaShawn Dobbins, Strategic Talent Recruitment Director at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Ellen Law, Senior Policy Analyst at the Department of Defense (retired); Vivian Chen, Chief Learning Officer at the Department of Agriculture; Natalie Lui Duncan, Deputy Assistant Administrator at the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture; Emily Su, Assistant General Counsel at the Department of Energy; Jiashen You, Chief Data Officer and Director of the Office of Enterprise Data and Analytics at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; Dorris Lin, Director of Inclusive Diversity at the Department of Homeland Security; Cyrus Salazar, Acting Executive Director of the Transportation Security Administration at the Department of Homeland Security; Javier Inclan, Assistant Inspector General for Management and Chief Information Officer at the Office of the Inspector General of the National Science Foundation; and Golda Philip, Senior Advisor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Health Resources and Services Administration.
With the conclusion of the 2023 OCA National Conference, Adrienne Poon’s leadership and the impact of her dedication to advocating for health equity are evident. Her contributions will continue to inspire individuals and organizations, reaffirming the importance of community engagement, education, and collective action in creating a better future for everyone.
