Breakout Sessions

Through a series of writing exercises, participants will dive deep into memory, history, and time. Their grandmother buying ribbon at a 1950s dime store. The aquamarine handlebars of their first bike. They will dig into the past to understand what has shaped them, and in doing so, they will examine who they want to become. Who are we after our families migrate overseas? After we have been separated from our home countries for years and years? We will look for ourselves and our people throughout time.

Speaker: Troy Osaki, Poet

Presented by Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP), the conversation that is cultivated from this content centers exploring identities, experiences, and values and really understand how those inform how we show up in spaces, how we lead, and how we are perceived. We leverage a LEAP developed framework to get participants thinking more intentionally about how to better leverage our values as we continue navigating our own leadership journeys. This workshop would include a slide deck, a short handout, multiple small groups discussion, and some polling using mentimeter.

Speaker: Chingcha Vang, Senior Program Manager, LEAP

The seventies was a period of unrest. Among the issues empowering young Asian Americans was the demand for Asian American Studies. During the Third World Liberation Front protest, Asian Americans demanded that Universities critically examine and include the history of Asian Americans, e.g. discriminatory immigration policies, protests and resilience. This workshop includes historians and current day professors about the issues impacting Asian American Studies.

Speakers:

• Velma Veloria, Community Relations Specialist, Filipino Community of Seattle

• Rick Bonus, Professor and Chair of American Ethnic Studies, University of Washington

• Douglas Chin, Co-President, OCA - Greater Seattle

• Jon Osaki, Director/Producer, JJML Productions

• Shawn Wong, Professor of English, University of Washington

Doug Chin is a Seattle historian that participated in the three major protests for Asian American Studies during this era, as a Bay Area and Puget Sound student/resident; Panelist John Osaki released “Making Waves” focusing on the activism needed to bring Asian American Studies to schools (this film will be shown this evening at 6p PST); Dr. Rick Bonus, former chair of American Ethnic Studies at the University of Washington, will address current challenges to Asian American Studies; and author Shawn Wong, who co-wrote the first and now canonical Asian American anthology, Aiiieeeee! (1974). Moderator Velma Veloria was a labor activist throughout the 1970s and 1980s through her participation in the anti-war and Asian American student movements. In 1992, Veloria became the first Filipina in the United States to be elected to a State Legislature.

Violence, criminal activity, and unfair policies disproportionately affect ethnic enclaves throughout the United States due to the negative stereotyping of people of color. This breakout session is a panel addressing how the people of Seattle have responded to these injustices through solidarity and coalition-building in the past.

Speakers:

• Kendall Kosai, Commissioner, Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs

• Larry Gossett, Former King County Councilman

• Keoke Silvano, Marketing, Keoke Silvano Media

• Kim-Khanh Van, Co-Founder, AAPI Against Hate

• Diane Wong, Senior Priest, Seattle Zen Dojo

Diane Wong represents Asian Family Affairs (AFA), a group of students uniting Asian Americans in protest of the construction of the Kingdome and the impact to the nearby Chinatown in the 1970s. Larry Gossett represents the Gang of Four – the name due to its founding four members being Filipino American, Chicano, African American, and Native American – and how they united and supported ethnic communities for over 4 decades. Keoke Silvano, a C-ID resident, initiated and worked with multi-cultural artists to create the mural projects in the C-ID during the height of COVID-19 and Anti-Asian Hate. Kim-Khanh Van is the Renton city council member who founded AAPI Against Hate and participated as a translator for the OCA-GS initiated “Solidarity Conference.” Since 2021, Kendall Kosai has served as a Washington State commissioner on Asian American Affairs. He is a board member of OCA Greater Seattle and former staff of OCA National.

A frank panel discussion with both Asian American non-profit leaders, communications strategists and journalists on examples of strategies that AAPI communities and OCA chapters can use to bring attention to the critical issues confronting AAPIs today, such as anti-Asian hate, surveillance, funding threats, anti-immigrant/anti-Asian laws/policies and revoking birthright citizenship. Session attendees who register will receive complimentary copies of the Vincent Chin Institute’s Crisis Communications FAQs and Crisis Funding FAQs.

Speakers:

• Helen Zia, Director/Founder, Vincent Chin Institute

• Sarah Khan, Director of Programs, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence

• Lori Matsukawa, Broadcast Journalist and Author, Asian American Journalists Association - Seattle Chapter

• Sara Ying Rounsaville, Chief of Staff, Vincent Chin Institute

• Will Schick, Director of Programs, Asian American Journalists Association

In 2023, consumers reported losing over $10 billion to fraud—and the threat continues to grow. Since January 2024, one in three U.S. adults has experienced financial fraud or scams, highlighting the urgent need for stronger financial awareness and digital safety practices across all age groups.

This panel brings together voices from across generations — Gen Z early-career professionals, corporate leaders, and seasoned financial experts to explore how individuals and communities can better protect their finances and personal information. From spotting scams and managing debt to fostering long-term financial wellness, speakers will share practical insights tailored to the unique challenges and concerns of each life stage.

Whether you're just starting to build credit, supporting multigenerational households, or leading financial strategy at scale, this conversation will offer valuable, actionable tools to help safeguard your financial future. [Sources: Federal Trade Commission (FTC), 2023 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book, February 2024, Bankrate Financial Fraud Survey, May 2024]

By the end of this panel, attendees will:

• Understand the most common types of financial fraud and scams impacting various age groups today.

• Learn practical strategies to protect personal financial information in an increasingly digital landscape.

• Gain tools to manage debt, build credit, and foster long-term financial wellness at every life stage.

• Explore how different communities' values and multigenerational responsibilities shape financial decision-making in various communities.

• Hear real-world advice from financial and corporate leaders on navigating financial safety both personally and professionally.

Speakers:

• Joanna Diaz Soffer, Principal Manager, T-Mobile

• Fiona Chin, SVP Customer & Revenue Growth Finance, Walmart

• Cora Chan, Merrill Lynch

• Dylan Hartono, Co-President, OCA - Greater Seattle

Established in 1967, the Wing Luke Museum is an art and history museum, which tailors its exhibits to its local and diverse AANHPI community in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. As a National Park Service Affiliated Area and the first Smithsonian affiliate in the Pacific Northwest, the Wing Luke Museum offers an authentic and unique perspective on the American story. Beyond our walls, Wing Luke Museum likes to tell the story of our neighborhood, Seattle’s Chinatown-International District.

Speakers:

• Leslie Lum, Professor, Bellevue College

• Doan Dy, Associate Director of Education and Tours, Wing Luke Museum

• Kamahanahokulani Farrar, Interim Executive Director, Wing Luke Museum

• Wren Wheeler, Civic Engagement Specialist, Wing Luke Museum

In a time of deepening polarization and increasing threats to our communities, the traditional ways of proving our worth and advocating for our communities are not working. How can research, when combined with community collaboration and policy action, create meaningful impact? Join us for an interactive session where we’ll explore how the DNA Framework (Data, Narrative, Action) developed by Dr. Karthick Ramakrishnan is being used to advance justice for AANHPI communities across the country. Whether you're a seasoned advocate, a student, or new to civic engagement, you'll leave with practical tools and fresh insights on how data can drive inclusive narratives and transformative action.

Speakers:

• Tracy Fung, Programs and Operations Manager, AAPI Data

• Karthick Ramakrishnan, Executive Director, AAPI Data

The OCA-NY chapter stepped up to expand its hate crimes prevention program to include justice-involved youth charged with a hate crime, and in the process, were challenged to address our unconscious biases. Learn and discuss these real-life examples and how you can lead in rethinking how our communities combat hate.

Speakers:

• Thai Loyd, Policy Fellow, OCA National Center

• Elizabeth OuYang, Founder and Supervisor, OCA-NY Hate Crimes Prevention Project, OCA - New York

AANHPIs have a history of resilience against unlawful discriminatory laws and policies that have unduly impacted people of color. This workshop will be a panel sharing experiences and tactics towards confronting these policies from the State level and beyond. Hear from Washington State Assistant Attorneys General who are inovlved with Washington State's lawsuits protecting birthright citizenship and gender-affirming care.

Speakers:

• Theressa Irigon-Rachetto, Board Member, OCA - Greater Seattle

• Alyssa Au, Assistant Attorney General, Washington Attorney General’s Office

• Daniel Jeon, Assistant Attorney General, Washington Attorney General’s Office

• Neal Luna, Assistant Attorney General, Washington Attorney General’s Office

Hear the stories of people who are working or running a business, caring for aging parents, and/or raising children at the same time and discover the resources and support available for family caregivers.

Speakers:

• Scott Tanaka, Senior Advisor, Office of the Chief Public Policy Officer, AARP

• Chris Calimlim, Program Coordinator, Recreation, University of Washington

• Ron Chew, President, AARP Washington

• Kim Moy, Founder / CEO, Caregiver Wisdom

Join us for an interactive workshop led by Han Eckelberg from the Mak Fai Kung Fu Club, where participants will learn fundamental self-defense techniques in a supportive and engaging environment. This session is designed to empower attendees with practical skills they can apply in everyday situations. Participants will also receive resources to support their continued development of self-defense skills beyond the workshop.

Participants should wear loose, comfortable clothing they are ready to sweat and move in, such as athetlic wear (sweatpants, shorts, training tees), and comfortable footwear for dynamic movements (tennis shoes, trainers shoes, running shoes, sneakers, etc.).

Speaker: Han Eckelberg, Mak Fai Instructor, Mak Fai Kung Fu Dragon and Lion Dance Association

In an effort to combat stereotypes and ignorance about Asian American history and contributions and to help young artists draw parallels between current-day events and the past, OCA-Greater Seattle (OCA-GS), in partnership with the UW American Ethnic Studies Department (AES), Wing Luke Museum, and others, created 3 comic novellas that have one Labor Studies Awards and are now used in school districts in Washington and California. After many requests for book readings, in 2025, to celebrate the anniversary of OCA-GS and AES, OCA-GS interns created a 40-minute reenactment of the trilogy, accompanied by visuals and song.

Go back to the basics and understand the fundamentals of staying organized and building capacity as a grassroots and local OCA chapter. Hear from OCA National’s VP of Public Affairs, Bri Cea and National Secretary, Randy Huynh, on the best practices of running an organization, EIN numbers, staying in Chapter Good Standing, taking organized meeting minutes, and other operational tips!

Speakers:

• Brianna Cea, VP of Public Affairs, OCA National

• Randy Huynh, Secretary, OCA National

Learn about the best practices in organizing membership, how membership works with OCA National, what membership benefits OCA offers, how to get local chapter membership benefits, and ways to recruit OCA members with VP of Chapter Development, Emilio Manuel Camu, and VP of Membership, Siddarth Sharma.

Speakers:

• Emilio Manuel Camu, VP of Chapter Development, OCA National

• Siddarth Sharma, VP of Membership, OCA National

An OCA Chapter cannot function without the well-handled care of its finances. Join this caucus to discuss fundraising, bookkeeping, grant writing, budgeting, business advisory councils, and development with VP of Economic Development, Brian Kieatiwong, and VP of Finance, Elinor Ho.

Speakers:

• Elinor Ho, VP of Finance, OCA National

• Brian Kieatiwong, VP of Economic Development, OCA National

OCA National offers a plethora of programs for OCA Chapters to utilize as well as encourages chapters to hold their own programs that answer the needs of their local community. Meet VP of Education & Culture, Daniel Hoddinott, and other OCA chapters to hear what sort of programs they offer and learn about best practices when holding local programs – including marketing and communications. Hear from VP of Communications, Mabel Menard, on how to use listservs, social media, press releases, and speaking with the media as an OCA Chapter.

Speakers:

• Daniel Hoddinott, VP of Education and Culture, OCA National

• Mabel Menard, VP of Communications, OCA National