Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community

Since its founding in 1998, the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community has united the resources of member organizations and individuals to empower Chinese American communities throughout Greater Chicago. Born from a grassroots effort to address casino marketing in the neighborhood, CBCAC has evolved into a powerful advocacy force addressing the complex challenges facing Chicago's Chinatown residents. The organization serves a community facing significant barriers: 35% living in poverty, 54% with less than high school education, 62% with limited English proficiency, and 42% spending over 30% of income on housing. CBCAC's mission reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that every community member—regardless of income, socioeconomic background, or immigration status—has a voice in shaping their neighborhood's future. The organization envisions a Chinese American community empowered to advocate for itself and other marginalized communities, creating a thriving, equitable, and sustainable Chinatown. Through decades of dedicated work, CBCAC has achieved transformative results: from fighting gentrification and displacement pressures to securing historic political representation and cultural recognition. The organization's values of integrity, inclusive dialogue, collective decision-making, and accountability guide every initiative. CBCAC honors the legacy of generations of Chinese immigrants who fought for community rights while building a more equitable future for all residents of Chicago, IL.