The Organization of Chinese Americans Greater Chicago Chapter (OCA-Chicago) will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of its founding at its 2007 Annual Gala, honoring the Past, Looking to the Future, on Saturday, November 17, 2007 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, 540 North Michigan Avenue, in the Chicago Ballroom. The evening is black-tie optional and will feature a 6 p.m. cocktail reception, 7:15 p.m. dinner, and program, entertainment and dancing.
Capt. Bruce Yamashita of Hawaii will talk about lessons from the past. Drawing on his own personal experience in the military, he will share with guests the lessons he learned in his struggle for fair and equal treatment in the military and what a wider Asian American community may gain.
OCA will air a portion of "A Most Unlikely Hero," the documentary that chronicles Yamashita ordeal at Marine Corps Officer Candidate School and his eventual triumph over the racial discrimination that resulted in his being kicked out of Officer Candidate School, along with three other minority candidates, two days before graduation.
Award-winning filmmaker Eric Byler will talk about the challenges and rewards of being in a non-traditional (from the point of view of many Asian American parents) profession. OCA-Chicago will show excerpts from one of Byler's latest feature films.
CLTV News anchor/reporter Judy Wang, and B96 evening radio personality host Julian Nieh (pending final scheduling), will co-emcee the Gala. This is Judy Wang?? ninth time hosting this particular event for OCA-Chicago, and will be the first time for Julian Nieh. Sha-Li Lin is serving as this year's Gala Chair.
Online registration for the Gala is available at www.ocachicago.org. Reservations are due November 10, 2007. For reservations or for more information, please contact (312) 458-0832 or ocachicago@yahoo.com