"Building Hope Through Solidarity" is a virtual three-day summit consisting of plenaries, workshops, and entertainment for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and allies across the country. The summit will consist of advocacy training and issue-based workshops centering around empowering and mobilizing individuals to respond to different community needs, as well as building upon our own strengths and wellbeing.
Workshops are free and open to the public, though RSVP is required.
Thursday, July 15
7:00 pm - 8:15 pm
How race-conscious admissions works: Toward a fact-based debate over race-conscious admissions
General Advocacy
- Dr. OiYan Poon (Speaker) Associate Professor Affiliate, Colorado State University
The majority of Asian Americans support affirmative action policies, including race-conscious college admissions. Nonetheless, there remains a very vocal minority of Asian Americans (mostly Chinese Americans) who oppose the policy. As researchers ... See More
7:00 pm - 8:15 pm
Chapter Advancement
Find out why being a member of the OCA family is not only a great addition to your life but a rich opportunity to be involved in advocating for our Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
8:15 pm - 8:30 pm
8:30 pm - 9:45 pm
Opening Plenary - Standing in Solidarity: A Frank Conversation about Anti-Asian Hate
- Aerica Banks (Moderator) Founder, Shiso
- Stewart Kwoh (Speaker) President Emeritus, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles
- Sindy Benavides (Speaker) Chief Executive Officer, League of United Latin American Citizens
This opening plenary brings together leaders from both the AAPI and Black/Brown communities to discuss the importance of solidarity and allyship in the fight against the rise in anti-Asian violence. Panelists will also provide a historical context...
Friday, July 16
7:00 pm - 8:15 pm
General Advocacy
- Kham S. Moua (Speaker) Director of National Policy, SEARAC
8:15 pm - 8:30 pm
8:30 pm - 9:45 pm
The Soul of America: A Community Conversation
General Advocacy
- Kathay Feng (Speaker) National Redistricting Director, Common Cause
- George Takei (Speaker)
- Don Tamaki (Speaker) Senior Counsel, Minami Tamaki LLP
Based on historian Jon Meacham’s bestseller, the 2020 HBO documentary The Soul of America explores pivotal historical events such as the women’s suffrage movement, the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, McCarthyis... See More
Saturday, July 17
11:30 am - 12:45 pm
Words Matter: The Effect of U.S.-China Narratives on Asian Americans
General Advocacy
- Aryani Ong (Speaker) Co-Founder, Asian American Federal Employees for Non-Discrimination
- Sandy Shan (Speaker) National Organizer, Justice is Global
- Nancy Yao Maasbach (Moderator) President, Museum of Chinese in America
- Mara Hvistendahl (Speaker) Investigative Reporter, The Intercept
Flooding the U.S. news in recent years has been an intense focus on the newly designated strategic competitor, the PRC. Highlighted topics run the gamut: Investigations of scientists and researchers. Unprecedented numbers of proposed laws. Campaig... See More
11:30 am - 12:45 pm
B3 & Womxn's Track
- James Cheng (Speaker) Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Zimmer Biomet
- Nimesh Patel (Speaker) Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
What does it mean to work in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space, and what does the work actually entail? This panel of accomplished DEI leaders will shed light on what DEI and a career in DEI looks like.
11:30 am - 12:45 pm
General Advocacy
- Kathay Feng (Speaker) National Redistricting Director, Common Cause
- Jerry Vattamala (Speaker) Democracy Program Director, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
11:30 am - 12:45 pm
Record Family Stories. Why and How.
Youth/College
- Jimmy Patel-Nguyen (Speaker) Founder, REFUGENE, LLC
How many of our parents' stories have been untold? After my dad survived a heart attack, I started recording conversations with him asking about his life as a soldier, refugee, father, etc. He told me stories I'd never heard—stories that con... See More
12:45 pm - 1:00 pm
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm
Making Change Through Lobbying
Chapter Advancement General Advocacy
Lobbying… it has become a dirty word in politics. But what is it? And how are we able to create change through it? With critical issues on the line, chapter engagement is as important as ever. Join us for an interactive training on the basi... See More
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm
Civic Engagement 101: How to Become Politically Active in Your Community
Youth/College
- Ben Chou (Speaker) Harris County Election's Department, Senior Advisor for Policy and Innovation
- Dr. Janelle Wong (Speaker) Professor, University of Maryland
- Raymond Partolan (Speaker) National Field Director, APIA Vote
- Victor Shi (Speaker)
As Asians and Pacific Islanders become the fastest growing groups in the United States, we must organize and advocate for the health and happiness of our ever-changing communities. As of February 2021, there are only 18 Asian and Pacific Islander ... See More
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm
B3 & Womxn's Track
- Jason Chan (Speaker) Director of External Affairs, AT&T
- Dyanna Okazaki (Speaker) Director of Operations, McDonald's
- Hannah Wang Lopez (Speaker) Small Business Segment Consultant Manager, Wells Fargo
The past year has been rife with unrest which has led to the uprise of various social justice movements. How do working professionals fit into the social change ecosystem? Where do ERGs fit in? This will be the topic of discussion among a group of... See More
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm
B3 & Womxn's Track
Self-care has been a critical part of our lives- it helps to prevent burnout and create a more sustainable lifestyle. However, not many people engage in radical self-care. Radical self care declares that caring for oneself is not self-indulgence, ... See More
2:15 pm - 2:30 pm
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm
General Advocacy
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm
Youth/College
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm
B3 & Womxn's Track
- Kris Ritualo (Speaker) Senior Program Specialist, AARP California
Having too much stuff can impede people from relocating or getting healthcare into their homes. This engaging presentation explores why stuff is so important for some people and teaches practical, easy-to-follow tips on downsizing and decluttering... See More
2:30 pm - 3:45 p
B3 & Womxn's Track
- Niki DuBois (Speaker)
- Maggie Tsai (Speaker) Data and Program Coordinator, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance
Creating healthy boundaries in both the personal and professional settings is crucial. By recognizing the need to set and enforce limits, you protect your self- esteem, maintain self-respect, and enjoy healthy relationships. In this workshop, we w... See More
3:45 pm - 4:00 pm
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
No Child or Elder Left Behind: A Conversation on Digital Access
General Advocacy
- David Young (Speaker) Vice President, Verizon Public Policy
- Michelle Persaud (Speaker) Chief Policy Counsel, T-Mobile
Join this conversation among broadband experts on digital equity initiatives for children, elders, and new immigrants. COVID-19 has highlighted the gaps in access to internet, hardware, and in digital literacy across communities. Telehealth and vi... See More
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Situational Awareness Training
Youth/College
- Kent Tong (Speaker) Associate Manager of Programs, OCA National
- Saki Mori (Speaker) Associate Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, De La Salle Academy
This Situational Awareness Workshop (SAW) is an interactive training to teach people on how to be a confident and effective bystander against racism and discrimination. At the end of the training, each participant will have the tools to be able to... See More
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Chapter Advancement
- Jinky Dolar (Speaker) Chapter President, OCA Sacramento
- Peggy Du (Speaker) Association of Chinese Americans, Inc.
- Thu Nguyen (Moderator) Deputy Executive Director, OCA National
What is a grant and how do we write one? What is a BAC and what does that mean for chapters? Join our informational panel conversation to see how to obtain funding for OCA and JACL chapters and how it can help their growth.
5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
6:00 pm - 7:15 pm
- Gregg Orton (Moderator) National Director, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans
- Senator Joe Nguyen (Speaker) Senator, Washington State Senate
The AAPI electorate is a formidable community with the power to shape and influence elections down the ticket throughout the U.S. As AAPIs are the fastest growing racial group in the country, it is essential that our community remain vigilant abou... See More
7:15 pm - 7:30 pm
7:30 pm - 8:45 pm