OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates recognizes President Carter’s contributions in advancing the rights of Asian Americans and raising awareness of Asian American achievements
(January 9, 2025) – On the day that President Carter’s official state funeral begins in Washington, D.C., OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates (“OCA”) and its chapters, including OCA Georgia, remember President Carter’s lifetime of accomplishments including his contributions to the Asian American community. During his presidency, President Carter recognized the accomplishments and the issues important to Asian Americans. In 1979, President Carter signed Presidential Proclamation 4650 that designated May 4, 1979, as the start of Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. Following President Carter’s lead, OCA was instrumental in advocating for and further establishing Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, now celebrated every May. Further, President Carter signed bipartisan legislation into law establishing the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians, which investigated the facts surrounding Executive Order 9066. The Commission ultimately recognized the gross injustices against Japanese American WWII survivors and their families, leading the way to a formal apology including funding reparations to the survivors. President Carter continued to further Asian American interests for over 40 years after his Presidency ended in 1981 through the generous work of the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Since its founding in 1983, OCA Georgia, the Georgia chapter of OCA, has hosted numerous events at The Carter Center including its 35th Anniversary Gala event in 2018 to recognize the achievements of local Asian American community leaders.“President Carter was responsible for signing presidential proclamations and executive actions that deeply impacted the AANHPI community,” said OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates President Sharon Wong. “These presidential actions highlighted AANHPI communities across the country and emphasized that we, too, belong.” OCA Georgia President Brian Lin remarked, “President Carter was an exceptional citizen, who served not only the State of Georgia and the United States, but also sought positive change for millions of people around the world. Asian Americans are grateful for President Carter’s leadership and persistence throughout his life, and we will deeply mourn his passing.”
OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national social justice organization of community advocates dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Learn more about our work at ocanational.org/about.
Vì Hai Chữ Tự Do (For Freedom) There’s a song that often plays around this time in the Vietnamese community, and its name I shall take personal creative liberty to translate as “Pursuit of...
In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, join Town Hall Seattle to hear Vietnamese author Susan Lieu discuss her memoir, The Manicurist’s Daughter. Susan will be in conversati...
A decade after his tragic death, Seattle’s Chinatown-International District continues to honor Donnie Chin, the community protector whose 2015 murder remains unsolved. Chin, founder of the Internati...
Join workers, immigrants, and community members as we take to the streets for International Workers' Day. In the face of escalating attacks on immigrant workers and labor rights, this year's May Day action demands:
Protection for federal workers
The right to organize
Defense of immigrant workers and families
The closure of the for-profit Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma
Freedom for union siblings Lelo and Lewelyn, and all those unjustly detained
*Disclaimer* OCA-GS is posting this event on our Community Calendar as a service to the community. Date/Time/Location details are subject to change.
APALA Seattle is proud to co-sponsor this conference, led by Standing for Democracy (SFD), a coalition of labor unions, scholars, and community advocates committed to to defending democracy and workers’ rights in the face of growing anti-democratic forces. For security reasons we are not publicizing the exact location of the conference until the last minute. Registrants will be sent the location address with the email provided. You can attend in-person or join on Zoom. Panel topics include:
Defending Immigrant Rights (led by NW Immigrant Rights Project)
Allies in Resistance (led by Casa Latina)
The Role of Elected Officials in the Resistance
Affirmative Litigation Strategies
Rapid Response Training
We hope to see you there in solidarity!
*Disclaimer* OCA-GS is posting this event on our Community Calendar as a service to the community. Date/Time/Location details are subject to change.
Housing Justice & Community Power SummitMay 16, 20259:30 am - 11:45 amEthiopian Community in Seattle, 8323 Rainier Ave S Suite A, Seattle, WA 98118, USA
Dear Community:
I’m excited to invite you to join us for a special summit forum hosted by the Ethiopian Community of Seattle as part of the Housing Development Consortium’s Affordable Housing Week!
If you are engaged in housing development, funding and acquisition, or community development, this event will be an important opportunity to hear from community leaders, elected officials, and public agencies working to advance housing justice and equitable development in our region.
The summit will feature opening remarks from:
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal
Office of Congressman Adam Smith
Senator Rebecca Saldaña (37th Legislative District)
Office of King County Council Chair Girmay Zahilay
Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck
Office of Seattle Councilmember Mark Solomon
Our Community Developers Panel will include leaders from:
Sophia Benalfew, ED of Ethiopian Community of Seattle
Hamdi Abdulle, ED of African Community and Housing Development
Agnes Navarro, ED of Filipino Community of Seattle
Lalita Uppala, ED of Indian American Community Services of WA
Francoise Milinganyo, ED of Congolese Integration Network
(and a representative from El Centro de la Raza, pending confirmation)
Our Government and Institutional Partners Panel will feature:
Sean Harrington,, WA State Department of Commerce
Jenifer Chao, Director at Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
Elsa Batres-Boni, Director at King County Communities of Opportunity
Ubax Gardheere, Cultural Space Agency
Representatives from Seattle OPCD and EDI
Yasmeen Perez, King County’s Housing and Community Development Division
We will also have a featured presentation by Tsega Desta, Program and Housing Director at ECS, who will share the Vision for Housing and Economic Future at ECS, along with community testimonies.
Event Details: Date: Friday, May 16, 2025 Doors Open: 9:00 AM | Program: 9:30 AM – 11:45 AM Lunch will be provided after the program. Location: Ethiopian Community of Seattle – Community Room, South Seattle (8323 Rainier Ave South, Suite A, Seattle, WA 98118)
We would be honored to have you join us for this important conversation and gathering. Please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues, partners, and community members who may be interested.
Thank you, and I hope to see you there!
Warm regards, Sameth Mell Spean the Bridge (formerly Partners in Change)
*Disclaimer* OCA-GS is posting this event on our Community Calendar as a service to the community. Date/Time/Location details are subject to change.
2025 CISC Friendship DinnerMay 17, 20255:30 pm - 7:30 pmThe Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
CISC’s annual fundraiser, the 2025 Friendship Dinner, is coming up on May 17th at the Museum of Flight! This special evening brings together community members, supporters, and partners to celebrate our shared impact and raise critical funds for CISC’s programs.
Stay tuned for more details—we can’t wait to share an unforgettable night with you!
*Disclaimer* OCA-GS is posting this event on our Community Calendar as a service to the community. Date/Time/Location details are subject to change.
OCA Greater Seattle is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. Donations are tax deductible. Please use “Organization Of Chinese Americans Inc” for tax purposes. Tax ID # 91-1668038.
