The APA Heritage Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) cultural heritage and fostering community collaboration. Every year, dedicated volunteers on the APA Heritage Celebration Committee coordinate resources to support AAPI Heritage Month. To start the month of May, the Foundation hosts the APA Heritage Awards and Reception, a signature San Francisco event honoring AAPI organizations and individuals. To engage the community, the Foundation curates the AAPI Heritage Month Celebration Guide, which showcases AAPI events, activities, and educational opportunities from official celebration partners: Asian Art Museum, Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), and San Francisco Public Library. Through a marketing campaign involving over 100 publicity partners and media sponsors, the Foundation amplifies awareness of the month and its significance within the community.
Origin of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
In the United States, the month of May each year is celebrated as Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The first celebration began as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week” on May 4, 1979, when President Jimmy Carter signed Proclamation 4650 to commemorate the contributions and accomplishments of Asian/Pacific Americans. In 1990, Congress expanded the observance from a week to a month. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush passed Public Law 102-540 designating the month of May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.
In 2005, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom embraced the proposal by former OCA National President Claudine Cheng to launch an annual official city of San Francisco celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The Mayor’s APA Heritage Celebration Committee, composed of a diverse group of APA community representatives, was established to coordinate this community celebration. In 2010, the APA Heritage Foundation was incorporated as a nonprofit organization to help secure sponsorships and resources needed to carry on the annual festivities.
In 2022, San Francisco renamed the celebration to ‘Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month.’
Over the years, this annual community celebration has been made possible through the generous support of businesses and community sponsors as well as professional services.
Why is the month of May designed for APA Heritage Month?
Congressman Norman Mineta (CA)
In the mid 1970s, a nationwide advocacy campaign was launched to obtain Congressional Resolution to designate one week in May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. This concept originated from Jeanie F. Jew, a staff person on Capital Hill at the time and a board member of the Organization of Chinese Americans.
Ms. Jew was frustrated that Asian Pacific Americans were not included as a recognized community in the celebration of the United States Bicentennial and she would like to see the United States government acknowledge Asian Pacific Americans as part of the country. In addition, she also wanted to commemorate her great grand father who had worked as a labor in the building of the Transcontinental Railroad.
In June 1977, a bill (HJRes.540) was introduced by Congressman Horton, co-sponsored by Congressman Norman Mineta (CA), to call upon the President of the United States to proclaim the seven day period beginning May 4, 1979 as “Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week.”
Congressman Frank Horton (NY)
Consequently, Jeanie Jew enlisted the support of Ruby Moy, then an administrative assistant to Congressman Frank Horton (NY). In June 1977, a bill (HJRes.540) was introduced by Congressman Horton, co-sponsored by Congressman Norman Mineta (CA) to call upon the President of the United States to proclaim the seven day period beginning May 4, 1979 as “Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week.”
United States to proclaimed May 4, 1979 as “Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week.”
A few weeks later, a similar bill (SJRes.72) was introduced in the United States Senate by Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga. Both bills were subsequently revised to conform to the Census Bureau’s designation of the community as “Asian/Pacific” (SJRes.1007) rather than “Pacific/Asian.”
The drafter of the bills selected the week of May 4th because of two significant historical events that took place during that period: the arrival date of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States recorded on May 7, 1843, and the date of completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1869.
The proposed legislation required the support and co-sponsorship of at least 218 members of Congress in order for the bill to pass the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee. An intense national advocacy campaign was launched. Jeanie Jew founded and chaired the National Coalition for an Asian/Pacific American Heritage Proclamation, and together with Ruby Moy, they also founded the Asian Pacific Congressional Staff Caucus.
Major national organizations that were involved in the advocacy of the passage of these bills were: Organization of Chinese Americans, Japanese American Citizens League, and the Organization of Chinese American Women. This was the first national advocacy campaign that involved the youth and young professionals in our community, notably members of Young OCA under the leadership of then OCA Executive Director Hayden Lee.
As a result of persistent efforts, the coalition was able to secured 231 Congressional Representatives to co-sponsor the bill, and the bills were passed by an overwhelming majority in both the House and the Senate.
On October 5, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed the Joint Resolution into law which proclaimed the week of May 4-11 Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.
Meanwhile, the Joint Resolution adopted did not contain a provision for annual designation, and community organizations had to apply to Congress every year for the proclamation of Heritage Week. It took more than ten year of advocacy before the celebration was extended to include the entire month of May. On May 7, 1990, President George W. Bush signed into law proclaiming Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
In 1992, the Heritage Month celebration was finally institutionalized when Congressman Horton introduced legislation (HR 5572) to designate “May of each year as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.” The support for this proposed legislation was unanimous.
On October 23, 1992, community leaders from around the country witnessed a new chapter in Asian Pacific American history as the President signed into law proclaiming the month of May every year as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in perpetuity.
With this law, the President of the United States is “authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe the month designated… with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.”
In addition to the Federal Proclamation, the law also provides for “State Proclamation,” so that “the Chief Executive Officer of each State is requested to issue annually a proclamation calling on the people of the State to observe the month designated… with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.”
What is the history of Asian Americans? (PBS)
‘Asian Americans’ is a five-hour film series that delivers a bold, fresh perspective on a history that matters today, more than ever. As America becomes more diverse, and more divided, while facing unimaginable challenges, how do we move forward together? Told through intimate and personal lives, the series will cast a new lens on U.S. history and the ongoing role that Asian Americans have played in shaping the nation’s story.
San Francisco is home to nearly 300,000 Asians and Pacific Islanders. Equivalent to about a third of the city’s population, they make up the second largest race group, closely following the 39% white share.
But the city’s Asian and Pacific Islander population a half century ago was vastly different — in terms of both its size and composition of ethnicities. And while Chinatown was the most prominent Asian enclave back then, new immigrants have since settled into other areas, sprouting new ethnic communities across the city.
For this story, The Chronicle examined the Asian and Pacific Islander population for each decade from 1960 to 2020. The data is sourced from the decennial census and compiled by the University of Minnesota’s Population Center. Because the census asks people about their race and ethnicity in a survey, our findings are based on residents who self-identified as a particular race or ethnicity, and not a definitive count of Asians and Pacific Islanders. Moreover, the Census Bureau’s definition of “Asian” has changed since 1960, so counts between certain decades are not perfectly comparable. Still, we think this is the best available data that captures the vast majority of Asians and Pacific Islanders each year.
Asian and Pacific Islander population
Share of residents who identify as Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Island
How many A’s in AAPI? Dolly & Adrian hear from South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander voices to explore the pros and cons of disaggregating Asian American as a statistical category.
A People’s History of Asian America is a series of thoughtful visual essays and explainers, hosted by Emmy award-winning journalist, Dolly Li, and Asian studies scholar and professor, Adrian De Leon. Each episode offers informed and empowering perspectives, helping to break down common microaggressions and racist stereotypes through the tools of ethnic studies. This series covers what your classic American school history textbook may not.
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center – Founded in 1997, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center is a migratory museum that brings history, art and culture to you through innovative community-focused experiences.
SmithsonianAPA Education –Connecting educators with Asian American and Pacific Islander voices, stories, and community-created resources
Thank you to over 175+ organizations for partnering with us to promote the public awareness of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
AAPI Club Oceana High School
AAPI Dubs, Golden State Warriors Employee Resource Group
AAPI Society of The Battery
Academy of Art University
Albert’s List
American Red Cross, San Francisco Leadership Council
Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation
APA Family Support Services
API Council
API Legal Outreach
Ascend Leadership, NorCal
Asian America Foundation
Asian American Women Artists Association (AAWAA)
Asian Art Museum
Asian Business League
Asian Firefighters Association
Asian Leaders Alliance
Asian Liver Center at Stanford University
Asian Pacific Fund
Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center
Asians Are Strong
AsianWeek Foundation
Australian Chamber of Commerce in SF
Bayanihan Community Center
Boys an Girls Clubs of San Francisco
California Asian Pacific American Bar Association
California-Japan Sister Cities Network
Center for Asian America Media
Charity Cultural Services Center
Children’s Creative Museum
Chinatown Community Development Center
Chinatown Merchants Association
Chinese American Citizens Alliance San Francisco Lodge
Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco
Chinese for Affirmative Action
Chinese Historical Society of America
Clarion Performing Arts Center
Coalition of Asian American Government Employees
Commonwealth Club of California
Community Youth Center of San Francisco
Contemporary Asian Theater Scene
Coro Northern California
Dear Community
FACINE
Filipina Women’s Network
Filipino American Arts Exposition / Pistahan Parade and Festival
Filipino Arts & Cinema, International
Filipino Food Movement
First Voice
Florence Fang Community Farm
Fred Finch Youth & Family Services
Friends of Indonesia
Gamelan Sekar Jaya
Genryu Arts
GER Youth Center
GLBTQ+ Asian Pacific Alliance (GAPA)
IFundEducation
Indonesian American Community Outreach
Indonesian Diaspora Network, IDN Northern CA
Islands by the Bay Festival
GlobalSF
Green Sound
Hawaii Chamber of Commerce of Northern California (HCCNC)
Hep B Free
Japan Center Garage Corporation
Japan Center Malls
Japan Exchange & Teaching Program Alumni Association of Northern California (JETAANC)
Japanese Bilingual Bicultural Program (JBBP) Rosa Parks
Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California (JCCNC)
Japanese Community Youth Council (JCYC)
Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California
Japantown Community Benefit District (JCBD)
Japantown Cultural District
Japantown Merchants Association
Japantown Task Force (JTF)
JCRC Bay Area
Justice for Vicha Ratanapakdee Foundation
Kimochi, Inc.
Kinmon Gakuen (Golden Gate Institute)
KOHO SF Japantown
Kokoro Assisted Living
Korean American Community Foundation of San Francisco,
Korean Center, Inc.
Korean Culture Center
Kultivate Labs
Legacies of the Pacific
Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good at USF
Lestari Indonesia Dance
MiFaSol band
Millbrae Sister Cities Commission
Miss Asian Global Pageant
Mongolian Business Council of SF Bay Area
Mongolian Community Association of Bay Area
Nakayoshi Young Professionals
National Association of Asian American Professionals San Francisco
National Association of Asian American Professionals San Jose
National Japanese American Historical Society
NEXT Village SF
NextSF
Nichi Bei News
Nihonmachi Little Friends
Nihonmachi Street Fair, Inc.
No. CA Cherry Blossom Festival
North Beach Business Association
North Beach Neighbors
North East Medical Services
Northern California Chapter of Sister Cities International
Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
Northern Light School
Oakland Asian Cultural Center
Oakland Fukuoka Sister City Association (OFSCA)
OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates: San Francisco Chapter
OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates: San Mateo Chapter
Outer Sunset Merchant Professional Association
Pacific Asian American Women Bay Area Coalition (PAAWBAC)
Pacific Islander Community Partnership (PICP)
Pacific Islander Cultural Association
Paper Tree
Parangal Dance Company
Philippines Nurses Association of Napa (Solano)
Philippines Nurses Association of Northern California (PNANC)
Richmond Area Multi Services (RAMS), Inc.
Richmond District Neighborhood Center – One Richmond
Rotary Club of SF Chinatown
SALT Pacific Islander Association
Samoan Community Development Center
San Francisco – Ho Chi Minh City Sister City Committee
San Francisco – Manila Sister City Committee
San Francisco – Osaka Sister City Association
San Francisco – Seoul Sister City Committee
San Francisco – Taipei Sister City Committee
San Francisco Arts Commission
San Francisco Bar Association
San Francisco City Attorney’s Office
San Francisco Community Health Center
San Francisco Department of the Environment
San Francisco District Attorney’s Office
San Francisco Film Commission
San Francisco Human Rights Commission
San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
San Francisco Office of the Assessor – Recorder
San Francisco Police Department
San Francisco Public Defender’s Office
San Francisco Public Library
San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department
San Francisco Sheriff’s Department
San Francisco Sister City Committee
Sentro Filipino
SF Hep B Free – Bay Area
SF Japanese American Citizens League
SF LGBTQ Center
SF Unified Lions Club
SF Urban Film Festival
SOMA Pilipinas
South East Asian Community Center
South East Asian Development Center
SPUR
Stand with Asian Americans
Summer Search
Sunset Chinese Cultural District
Taiwanese Association of Professionals – SF Chapter
Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center
Tenderloin Community Benefit District
Tenderloin Merchants Association
The Battery API Society
The Fromm Institute For Lifelong Learning at the University of San Francisco
Together SF
United Peace Collaborative
United Playaz
Value Culture
Vietnamese American Organization
Wah Mei School
We Are One
West Bay Pilipino Multi Service Center
Yerba Buena Community Benefit District (YBCBD)
YMCA of San Francisco
Your Filipino Professionals Association
Our Team
Celebration Committee
The annual San Francisco celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month is coordinated by community representatives who volunteer on the APA Heritage Celebration Committee.
2024 APA Heritage Celebration Committee
Claudine Cheng, Celebration Organizer
Al Perez, Celebration Co-Chair
Grace Horikiri, Celebration Co-Chair
Thomas Li, Celebration Co-Chair
Alvin Louie, San Francisco United Lions Club
Amy Lee, Dear Community
Angela Tjitradi, Friends of Indonesia
Annie Dare, Gum Moon Residence Hall
Carmen Colet, SF – Manila Sister City Committee
Chad Nico Hiu, YMCA of San Francisco
Coma Te, San Francisco Art Commission
Dennis Yee, OCA San Francisco Bay Chapter
Diana Vuong, Southeast Asian Community Center
G Preet Singh, Sister City International
George Saxton, SF – Ho Chi Minh City Sister City Committee
Hagen Choi, SF – Seoul Sister City Committee
Irene Ikemoto, Friends of AAPI Heritage Committee
JJ Lara, APA Heritage Foundation
Kathleen Kimura, SF – Osaka Sister City Association
Lucia Park, Korean Center of San Francisco
Monthanus Ratanapakdee, Justice for Vicha Ratanapakdee Foundation
Nina Diamzon, Legacies of the Pacific
Patsy Tito, Samoan Community Development Center
Richard Hashimoto, Japantown Merchants Association
Richard Jue, Nihonmachi Street Fair, Inc.
Rodney Chin, Kokoro Assisted Living
Ron Lee, American Chinese Culture and Art Association
Rose Chung, Asian America Foundation / Miss Asian Global Pageant
Susie Kagami, KOHO SF
Susie Willemsz-Geeroms, NAAAP San Jose
Valerie Sheibels, One Myanmar Community
Susie Kagami, KOHO SF
Susie Willemsz-Geeroms, NAAAP San Jose
Valerie Sheibels, One Myanmar Community
APA Heritage Foundation
The APA Heritage Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander cultural heritage as well as to providing a forum for community collaborations.
Founded in 2009, the Foundation’s mission is to secure funding and other resources to support San Francisco’s annual celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Over the years, the organization’s purpose has been expanded to include the following: supporting diverse API art and cultural programs, creating opportunities for civic engagement and addressing pertinent issues impacting the API community.
