Embracing the hopes and dreams of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Established in 1979, OCA–Greater Houston (OCA-GH) is one of OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates’ 100+ chapters and college affiliates, with a long track record of programs and initiatives.
OCA-Greater Houston is a volunteer driven organization of community advocates that strives to meet the current and evolving needs of a diverse population through a comprehensive continuum of programs targeting different life stages of AAPIs with a focus on developing advocacy, leadership, and civic engagement participation of AAPIs.
The OCA–Greater Houston Chapter board members along with key community volunteer members work to implement our programs to empower the AAPI community utilizing arts and culture to advocate for social justice and provide leadership training; education workshops; arts, cultural, and advocacy awareness; legal clinics; internships; scholarships; mentoring and civic engagement; and monitoring our national and local advocacy, policy positions, and initiatives.
OCA–Greater Houston programs impact the next generation to seek leadership roles and a “Seat at the Table”. We want the AAPI community to have representation at all levels of Business, Corporate, Government and Community leadership. Our overarching goal is to increase the long-term leadership, civic participation, education and engagement of AAPIs in the Greater Houston metropolitan area. We seek to accomplish this in a holistic manner that will include people who may have limited English proficiency and/or are low-income. Asian Americans in Greater Houston face language, cultural, and economic barriers that can limit the AAPI community from attaining its hopes and aspirations. We believe the next generation of AAPI leaders need to understand the needs of the community in order to represent AAPIs well.
About OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates
Headquartered in Washington, DC, OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national membership-driven civil rights organization of community advocates dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs). With 100+ chapters and college affiliates across the country and a membership that reaches 30,000 constituents, OCA seeks to empower the APA community through its national and local presence. Founded in 1973 as the “Organization of Chinese Americans,” the organization has since evolved to become OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates.