Angela E. Oh

Angela E. Oh is a second generation Korean American, born and raised in Los Angeles. She currently works as a mediator and conflict resolution consultant, using her experiences in civil rights and human rights organizing, private law practice as a criminal defense lawyer, and a teacher of Zen meditation.

In 1992, when the nation experienced the worst civil unrest of the century, causing over a billion dollars of damage and exposing the lack of foresight and readiness of the local government to respond, Oh became a national voice for calm and for the Korean immigrant community which sustained the greatest losses during that crisis. The triggers were the shooting death of Latasha Harlins and the beating videotaped of Mr. Rodney King, during a time of economic recession, shifting demographics, and growing wealth inequality.

Her work on bridging racial division and expanding opportunities for women, immigrant, and youth leadership has been reflected in over 30 years of quiet and continuous building of relationships to provide spaces for cultivating more clarity and focus in times of chaos and confusion. Her current focus is on healing, restorative justice, and spiritual transformation.

Oh has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the Human Relations Commission of Los Angeles, the President’s One America Initiative led by the late Dr. John Hope Franklin, Chair of the Federal judicial Nominations Committee for the Central District of California, President of the Southern California Korean American Bar Association, National Advisor to Asian Americans for Justice, and board member of Commonweal.

After the death of George Floyd, Oh co-convened the Black/API racial healing circle, which continues to host bi-monthly circles where the skill of deep listening is offered. Thanks to a grant from the Fetzer Institute, Oh and her artist spouse Ying Ming Tu (Tu-2), have passed along small grants to nonprofit organizations serving the former addicts, youth in the arts, gun violence prevention, prisoners returning home, and immigrants seeking asylum. The range of engagements is as broad as the activities communities are undertaking to make life better.

At each speaking engagement, an original artwork is produced by Tu-2 - inspired by the spirit of the encounter. Tu-2’s digital creativity is delivered to the host following the presentation.