Council of Korean Americans
About Council of Korean Americans
Based in Washington, DC, the Council of Korean Americans represents a growing movement dedicated to empowering the Korean American community and advancing its visibility in American society. Founded in 2011 by dedicated leaders in San Francisco, Washington DC, and Los Angeles, CKA has grown into a national organization grounded in five core values: representation, collaboration, non-partisanship, generosity, and boldness.
CKA recognizes that while Korean Americans represent a significant and accomplished demographic—among the highest-income and best-educated racial groups in the United States—the community's voice, visibility, and influence have not kept pace with its collective potential and contributions. The organization exists to change this reality by connecting, inspiring, and equipping multi-generational leaders to achieve greater impact. CKA believes that the diversity, talent, and cultural richness of the Korean American community have tremendous value to offer the United States and the world, particularly when the community is unified around common purposes.
The organization serves as an independent, nonpartisan national leadership platform that celebrates Korean American identity across generations while educating the broader public about Korean American history, culture, and role models. Through its membership community, CKA fosters genuine relationships among Korean American professionals, creates mentorship opportunities that develop emerging leaders, and builds bridges with other marginalized communities. Understanding the immigrant experience and the challenges Korean Americans have overcome, CKA is committed to ensuring that future generations have equal opportunities to lead, influence national conversations, and actively contribute to addressing the needs of their community and the world.