Anti-Asian Bias Programming:

• OCA-DC’s anti-Asian bias programming is designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate and respond to instances of anti-Asian hate. We have offered educational workshops, webinars, and resources that delve into the history, roots, and impact of anti-Asian discrimination. By understanding the underlying causes and dynamics, we empower individuals to recognize and challenge stereotypes, biases, and systemic racism. In addition to education, we have focused on building resilience and self-empowerment. Our programming provides individuals with practical strategies and skills to respond to and cope with anti-Asian hate incidents. From bystander intervention workshops to mental health resources, we strive to empower individuals to protect themselves physically, emotionally, and mentally.

AANHPI Health Equity Programming:

• At OCA-DC, we are dedicated to creating a healthier and more equitable future for the AANHPI community. Through our community health initiatives, we have engaged in efforts to promote health equity such as hosting AANHPI mental health panels, debunking COVID-19 myths, creating educational resource guides and directories, and conducting outreach at religious and community centers.

APA Women’s Empowerment:

• OCA-DC has done programming to empower APA women in the workforce by bringing awareness to common issues and challenges across cultures, building self-confidence and strategies through workshops, and mentorship.

Talk Story

• OCA-DC’s Talk Story program, in collaboration with the 1882 Foundation, uses storytelling to educate and raise awareness of the APA history and experience. Every month in DC’s Chinatown, members of the APA community gather to share and hear our community’s history and stories of family, friends, and neighbors. Since April 2012, OCA-DC has held over 20 Talk Story events featuring prominent APA leaders such as Dr. Mae Ngai, an American historian and a Lung Family Professor of Asian American Studies and Professor of History at Columbia University; John Jung, a noted author and historian of Asian American Life, Corky Lee; the “undisputed unofficial Asian American Photographer Laureate”; and Marine Major Kurt Lee, hero of the Korean War.

OCA-DC Internship Program:

• OCA-DC’s internship program supports APA youth in the Greater Washington, DC by building their leadership skills, awareness on social justice issues, and encouraging discussion on the importance of advocacy efforts to promote social issues.

Community Service:

• As part of our mission to encourage civic participation, OCA-DC members give back to the community through financial, in-kind, and volunteer support to local partners and agencies. Our community service efforts include feeding unhoused and low-income communities at Shepherd’s Table, promoting the importance of blood donation in the APA community through an Annual Blood Drive in partnership with the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA), and participating in the 5K Run/Walk for the Children’s National Medical Center.

Mentoring Asian American Professionals (MAAP):

• MAAP cultivates the next generation of APA professional leaders through mentoring, skill building, and networking. MAAP pairs Asian American professionals with experienced mentors in their field to develop a personal strategic plan, and over a network of 100 APA local professionals have completed the program since 2009.

Other programs and events:

• Annual OCA-DC Gala