Who are we?

OCA, St. Louis was founded in 1973 in response to a group of Chinese Americans increasing concern for the civil rights of Chinese and Asian Americans. This vision was shared by groups in Washington, D.C. and Detroit, MI. In the same year, OCA formally registered as a national organization - OCA National Website. 38 years later, OCA has 80 chapters and affiliates across the nation serving over 3 million Asian Pacific Americans.

Our headquarter is in Washington, D.C. which gives the OCA National Center an effective vantage point for monitoring legislation and policy issues affecting Asian Pacific Americans. In addition, OCA is able to build national support and to work in coalition with other national groups around issues affecting Asian Pacific Americans. OCA takes no collective position on the politics of any foreign country, but instead focuses on the rights of Asian Pacific Americans.

Our Mission

OCA is a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States. To fulfill its mission, OCA has established the following goals:

    - to promote civic participation, education, and leadership;
    - to advance coalitions and community building;
    - to advocate for social justice and fair treatment;
    - to foster cultural heritage.

Serving Our Community

Equal Rights - our number one mission. As an American, you are afforded all rights prescribed by the Constitution of the United States, regardless of your race, religion, and gender. Please contact us if you feel your rights have been violated.

Education - We believe that education is the first step toward empowerment. We will conduct educational programs based on the community needs. We typically announce our programs through community newspapers, newsletters, and our website.

Exchange Ideas - OCA, St. Louis is a family. It is a non-partisan, non-religious, non-territorial organization, which means the members of OCA, St Louis are from all walks of life. Our members include police chief, engineers, doctors, lawyers, scientists, software developers, professors, managers, restaurant owners, small business operators, etc. This is the perfect organization for you to network with other people with the same desire to be free and equal.