Asian Pacific Islander celebrations began in the 1970s, when student groups and coalitions at local high school and colleges organized events to showcase the rich heritage and diversity of the their communities.
In 1982, the Asian Pacific Directors Coalition (APDC) was formed and continued to support many events in the Greater Seattle area. APDC is comprised of over 40 executive directors, board presidents, and leaders from local non-profits, civil rights organizations, educational institutions, and government. APDC advocates for the needs of the API community, offers a platform for collaboration, and supports professional/organizational development.
In 2002, APDC formed a sub-committee to organize the Asian Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month Celebration and joined Seattle Center Festál — a year-long series of community events that celebrate the cultural richness of communities in Seattle — under the leadership of Alan ‘Al’ Sugiyama, a long-time community activist, first chairperson of APDC, and the first Asian American elected to the Seattle School Board.
