COUNCIL OF KOREAN AMERICANS

We seek to address the above problems in the following way:

- Connect, network, inspire, and equip leaders for greater impact and public engagement
- Train Korean American leaders in soft-skills and networking initiatives to help prepare them for active leadership at the highest levels in various sectors
- Develop a network of collaborative alliances with influencers, organizations, and decision-makers across the country and the globe to advance Korean American interests
- Build bridges and promote collaboration with other ethnic, racial, and international groups to advance the interest of the national Korean American community
- Create a platform where Korean American leaders can transform others through sharing practical experiences and providing support to other current/emerging leaders

To achieve the goals above, CKA is focused on six key initiatives:

1. Engage - Connecting Korean American leaders to each other.

2. Enlighten - Promote greater awareness and understanding of CKA’s vision/mission, its membership, and the issues that impact our community.

3. Enrich - Share lives and enhance relationships through mentorship dinners and discussions.


4. Elevate - Provide training and group engagements that will equip leaders with key soft skills.

5. Empower - Hold an annual national conference to equip and train leaders.

6. Envision - Organize small retreats for leaders to discuss partnerships.

CKA has three full-time staff, three part-time staff, and two consultants who help to operate the organization.

We have more than 250 dues-paying members of CKA, with many of them volunteering to help execute programs, opening up their networks to introduce leaders to participate, and offering financial support to host programs.

We have more than 5,000 supporters who help in various capacity from donating to volunteering to support the organization.

CKA has growing partnerships with different regional Korean American organizations across the United States.

2018 was a pivotal year for CKA. We embarked on a leadership change, gathered community leaders in Los Angeles and Washington, DC in two high-profile galas, and forged groundbreaking partnerships with African American and Jewish American communities on race relations and understanding the future of U.S.-North Korea relations. We hosted events with over 400 Korean American influencers in New York City, Orange County, Chicago, SF, LA and DC.

In November, CKA hosted our fourth annual National Summit & Gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, DC. Over 600 people attended the black-tie celebration of Korean American community’s diverse achievements throughout society. Our National Summit featured prominent Korean American leaders in technology, government, media, and business, attracting over 300 attendees. As part of the National Summit, CKA hosted an educational briefing at the U.S. Senate featuring representatives from Congress, Congressional Research Service, State Department, and CIA.

Our third annual CKA-KALCA Public Service Internship Program funded and placed 27 interns across New York City and Washington, DC. Each intern received up to $5,000 to support their unpaid summer internships and attended weekly seminars arranged by CKA.

In 2018, CKA was a leading Korean American voice in mainstream media that supported diplomacy and non-military solutions to North Korea’s nuclear threat. CKA’s experts called for greater humanitarian assistance for the people of North Korea and the reunion of Korean American families with North Korean relatives. CKA organized member-constituent meetings for Korean Americans to engage their elected official, including with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-12) and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY).

In the next two years (2019–2020), CKA will develop meaningful, high-level networking events, share Korean American stories and experiences through new media channels and develop innovative leadership development programs. Our goal is to build greater relationships, inspire decision-makers, and empower Korean Americans to be more effective and impactful in their communities to ensure that our experiences are part of the national discourse.