"When I came to OCA as an intern, I had never been farther from Boston than Philadelphia. I knew a lot of work was happening in different API communities in all parts of the nation, but I had never taken the time to look and think beyond my region. That summer opened my eyes to the great work being done by other young API people across the country, and also encouraged me to think of my work in both local and national terms. Even more importantly, the friendships I made then have helped hold me together in the years since, not just in relation to my continued involvement in community empowerment and development, but just by virtue of having great friends who have been through the same battles I have."

"Coming to OCA straight out of college in 1991 was an eye-opening experience. As an intern, I worked on a complex case involving employment protections for Asian American and Latino fishery workers. I met Asian American role models who taught me the importance of speaking up for our community and striving for justice and dignity as Americans. I saw first hand how a few Asian Americans attending a hate crime case helped give voice to an otherwise invisible victim. I was inspired to become a civil rights lawyer. After working for the Asian Pacific American Legal Center handling voting and hate crime cases, I am now Executive Director of California Common Cause advocating for broad constituencies in the state of California."

"My involvement with OCA started when a member actively encouraged my family to become involved while I was in freshman in high school. OCA Long Island chapter sent me on a scholarship to the Presidential Classroom in Washington, D.C. Now, I find myself in Washington, D.C. as a practicing real estate attorney. The leadership skills and exposure to civic matters through OCA in high school and college continue to inform and guide my community work today as President-Elect of the D.C. Asian Pacific American Bar Association, as a member of the Virginia Commission on National and Community Service, and as OCA's General Counsel. The establishment of the OCA National Center will allow so many other future leaders to see and experience our nation's capital from a true home base of programs, activities, and resources.