Area’s largest and most established Asian American organization holds gala & awards ceremony and announces start of campaign
On Saturday, March 26, OCA St. Louis (www.oca-stl.org) will announce the beginning of an art and history exhibition on Chinese American history in St. Louis. The gala will display works of art from the Hop Alley exhibition that was at Yeyo Arts in Sept. 2015 and will collect oral histories and artifacts from families that have been in the area from since Hop Alley, the original Chinatown St. Louis, was erased.[vc_row][vc_column]
The gala will be keynoted by Hon. Judy Draper, Associate Circuit Judge, who will talk about Ferguson, the bamboo ceiling that Asian Americans face, and her personal experiences as an African American and Korean American judge. Awardees include Nestle Purina for being a Champion of Diversity, and local leader Matthew Yu for his stalwart community service. Two local high school students, Olivia Long and Phoebe Yao, will receive $1,000 scholarships to support a new generation of leadership.
WHO: 200+ business, faith, and community leaders including:
Hon. Judy Draper
State Sen. Maria Chappelle Nadal
Administrative Law Judge Sreenu Dandimundi
Assistant US Attorney Gilbert Sison
Missouri Department of Economic Development Manager Doug Potts
WHAT: Gala and awards ceremony with an art exhibition about Hop Alley, historic Chinatown St. Louis. Keynote by Hon. Judy Draper, and award to Nestle Purina for being a Champion of Diversity.
WHEN: 5:30 – 6:30pm – reception and art exhibition
6:30 – 9:00pm – taiko drumming, dinner, remarks, and awards and scholarship ceremony
WHERE: Clayton Plaza Hotel, 7750 Carondelet, Clayton MO – Crystal Ballroom (7th floor). Free parking in garage behind hotel.
WHY: To preserve and embrace all parts of St. Louis, the city that we love.
OCA St. Louis (www.oca-stl.org) is a founding chapter of the national civil rights organization, OCA National. Founded in 1973 as the Organization of Chinese Americans, OCA St. Louis is the most established Asian American organization in St. Louis and is dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans.
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