Our Mission
Advancing Asian Pacific Islander Communities
Through Increased Leadership And Civic Engagement.
Together, Let’s Increase
Representation And Participation.
Asian Pacific Americans are one of the fastest-growing populations in the United States. But we are underrepresented when important decisions are made that affect everyone’s lives.
APAPA has grown into a national organization, empowering our diverse communities, increasing voter engagement, and developing a new generation of API leaders in America. We collaborate with other diverse organizations, public officials, and community leaders to create awareness and support fo fight hate crimes, address systemic racism, and provide opportunities for our collective voices to be heard.
APAPA is a nonpartisan nonprofit with over 35 chapters across the country, and more chapters developing every year. Together, we are building a better world that is diverse, inclusive, and with representation from all voices and communities.
APAPA spearheaded the Nationwide Unity Against Hate rally in 2021, backed by a coalition of over 180 diverse organizations, elected officials, and community leaders. While this was a powerful show of solidarity there is more work yet to come.
We also believe in developing our next generation of leaders with over 250+ college interns a year through our national internship program.
Started in a New Century
Our Founders
Founders C.C. and Regina Yin, together with a pioneering group of civic and community leaders, established the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA) in 2001 to empower the API community.
Fulfilling a Deep Need
The founders responded to an alarming lack of API representation at all levels of government. With grassroots support, APAPA set out to engage voters, partner with the community, and develop API leaders of tomorrow.
Continuous Growth
APAPA opened its National Headquarters in Sacramento, just a few miles from California’s Capitol, with a satellite office in Washington, D.C. New APAPA Chapters are volunteer driven and expanding across the country every year.
2001
APAPA Founded
2003
1st Annual Community Forum Event
2004
Established National Internship Program
2011
9 APAPA Chapters
10 Year Anniversary
2014
8th Annual Shining Star Gala
1st Annual APAPA National Leadership Convention
2015
24 APAPA Chapters
150th Anniversary Chinese Railroad Workers
2016
15 Year Anniversary
14th Annual Community Forum Event
2021
Unity Against Hate Nationwide Rally
7th Annual APAPA National Leadership Convention
20th Year Anniversary Celebration
35 Chapters
2022
16th Annual Shining Star Gala (April)
National Week of Action (May)
20th Annual Community Forum (Sept) A Summit with National APAPA & NAACP. "Defining Our Future Together"
8th Annual APAPA National Leadership Convention (Sept)
