Japanese American Citizens League to Receive Legacy Impact Award at OCA National Convention
For Immediate Release
July 21, 2023
Media Contact:
Socheata Sun, Communications Fellow
socheata.sun@ocanational.org
Ken Scudder
ken.scudder@ocanational.org (917) 226-1681
Washington, D.C. —The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), America’s oldest and largest Asian American/Pacific Islander Civil Rights organization, will receive the Legacy Impact Award at the OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates (OCA) 50th Anniversary National Convention July 12–16, 2023 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C.
“For 94 years, JACL has been a leading light in the AAPI community,” said OCA President Linda Ng. “They have led and represented Japanese Americans through some of the toughest times in our nation’s history, including the internment of 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II, anti-miscegenation laws, hate crimes, and harmful anti-Japanese stereotypes in the media. There is no questioning the impact JACL has had on the day-to-day lives of the entire AAPI diaspora. They are truly deserving of this award.”
JACL will receive its award at the OCA Awards Gala on Saturday, July 15. Others being honored that night are MSNBC/NBC News anchor Richard Lui, NBA player Jeremy Lin, NARAL Pro-Choice America President Mini Timmaraju, OCA-New Jersey past president Virginia Ng, and TV/Film actor Tamlyn Tomita.
“It is an honor to be recognized by such an esteemed organization as OCA,” said JACL Executive Director David Inoue. “We have had the privilege of working with OCA on many issues throughout their 50-year history. To have peers honor you like this is truly touching. We look forward to another 50 years of working together in solidarity.”
Founded in 1929, JACL monitors and responds to issues that enhance or threaten the civil and human rights of all Americans, and implements strategies to effect positive social change, particularly to the Asian Pacific American Community. It is comprised of 100 chapters in the United States, and one in Japan.
The awards gala is only one part of the five-day OCA National Conference. Other highlights include OCA Day on the Hill on Thursday, as well as three town halls that will highlight coalition building, equitable access to healthcare and well-being, and civic engagement. Notable speakers for these town halls, and over 20 breakout sessions, include Deputy Assistant to the President and AANHPI Sr. Liaison Erika Moritsugu, Journalist Helen Zia, Professors Janelle Wong and Xiaoxing Xi, author Curtis Chin, and many other government officials, community and academic leaders, and youth organizers.
The conference is free and open to the public. RSVP is encouraged to reserve your seat, and full-package registrations to access the Friday evening concert and Saturday night Awards Gala are available online at www.ocanationalconvention.org.
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About OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates
Founded in 1973, OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national, member-driven social justice organization of community advocates dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Learn more about our work at ocanational.org/about.