About | Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs

Our Mission

To advance Asian American and Pacific Islander communities through increased civic engagement and leadership.

Together, let’s increase representation and participation.

Asian Americans are one of the fastest-growing populations in the United States. But we are underrepresented when decisions are made that affect everyone’s lives.

APAPA has grown into a solid resource today, empowering our diverse communities, increasing voter engagement and developing a new generation of AAPI leaders in America.

APAPA is a nonpartisan nonprofit with over 35 chapters across the country. New chapters are in development. Together, we are building a better world that is diverse, inclusive, and well represented.

APAPA spearheaded the National 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.

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 educate voters, recruit community partners, and develop API leaders of tomorrow.

Continuous Growth

APAPA has chapters in California, Washington, D.C., New York, Florida, Texas, Nevada, Washington, Utah, Massachusetts, and North Carolina. More chapters are on the way.  APAPA opened its National Headquarters in Sacramento, just a few miles from California’s Capitol.