OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates, Greater Cleveland chapter, is a membership-driven non-profit organization of community advocates dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in Northeast Ohio.
Founded nationally as the Organization of Chinese Americans (美華協會) in 1973, OCA has grown into a robust advocacy organization advancing the civil rights of Asian Pacific Americans and aspiring Americans. In 2013, to reflect OCA’s diversity and inclusion initiative, it was rebranded as OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates.
Our local chapter was founded in 1983 as the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) Northeast Ohio chapter, but merged with the Chinese Association of Greater Cleveland (CAGC) in 1995 to form the Organization of Chinese Americans of Greater Cleveland (OCAGC). In 2013, the organization became OCA—Asian Pacific American Advocates, Greater Cleveland Chapter, as part of a nationwide rebranding effort to better reflect its membership and the community it serves. Locally, we are known as OCA Greater Cleveland (OCAGC).
To fulfill its mission, OCA has established the following goals:
* to advocate for social justice, equal opportunity, and fair treatment;
* to promote civic participation, education, and leadership;
* To advance coalitions and community building and to foster cultural heritage.
With headquarters in Washington, D.C., the OCA National Center has a practical vantage point for monitoring legislation and policy issues affecting Asian Pacific Americans. Additionally, the OCA can foster national support and collaborate with other national groups on these issues.
OCA takes no collective position on the politics of any foreign country but instead focuses on the welfare and civil rights of Asian Pacific Americans.
The OCA Greater Cleveland Chapter serves the continually growing Asian Pacific American community of Northeast Ohio. It promotes cultural heritage, active participation in civic and community affairs, securing justice, and equal treatment and opportunity for all Americans of Asian Pacific Islander descent.
“Embracing the Hopes and Aspirations of Asian Pacific Americans in Northeast Ohio”
Become a member of the OCA Cleveland Chapter and make a difference! Visit OCA National, and select our chapter HERE!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, X, and our YouTube channel.
2024-2025 OCAGC Officers and Board of Trustees
Please send your request to the appropriate person; if no email account is listed, you can send it to the Webmaster. For a short biography of our board members, click HERE
| Titles | Officers |
|---|---|
| President | Lisa Wong |
| Treasurer | Ivan Ho |
| Secretary | Vera Boggs |
| Executive Vice-President | Wayne Wong |
| Vice-President of Communications | Johnny Wu |
| Vice-President of Membership | Katherine Szeto |
| Vice-President of Education & Culture | Jason Chao |
Board of Trustees
| Directors | Directors |
|---|---|
| Vera Boggs | Jason Chao |
| Ivan Ho | Katherine Szeto |
| Lisa Wong | Wayne Wong |
| Johnny Wu | |
Congratulations and Thanks
(1990-2003) OCA Greater Cleveland recognized individuals who have served the Chinese, Asian, and broader communities in a leadership capacity for a significant period.
The OCAGC is proud to present the Distinguished Service Awards to the following:
| 2003 | Y. Ray Hing | Le Nguyen | ||
| 2002 | Barbara Hing | Wai-Ching Wan | Nancy Yuen | |
| 2001 | Leon Chang | Steve Lee | Huili Shi | |
| 2000 | Johnny K. Wu | Xianli Jia | ||
| 1999 | August Pust | Shan Chan | ||
| 1998 | Dr. Yachun Ku | Chuck Chin | ||
| 1997 | Ray C. S. Chan | David Namkoong | ||
| 1996 | Donna Hom | Howard Chin | ||
| 1995 | Lana Den | Lisa Wong (Nee Fong) | Stanley Eng | |
| 1994 | Simon Chen | Howard Hope | Dr. Wen-Tien Pen | Margaret Wong |
| 1993 | Angela Chiu | Jenny Chin | Dr. George Wang | |
| 1992 | Charles Lee | Frances Namkoong | Fong Wah Ying | |
| 1991 | Ray Don | Alex H. Mark | ||
| 1990 | Fong Wah Hing | Wen Ko | Anthony Yen | |