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AAPI LA
Los Angeles Mayor's Office presents:
Asian American Stories by Asian American
Pacific Islanders in Los Angeles
Thank you for an unforgettable 5th Annual AAPI LA Market!
The 5th Annual AAPI LA Market in collaboration with Smorgasburg LA is officially in the books, and what a day it was. Thousands of you came through ROW DTLA on Sunday, May 17, 2026 to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month with us.
Listen on your favorite platforms
Our Story
AAPI LA Heritage Month
Join us throughout May in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month!
The Los Angeles Region is proud to commemorate this month by inviting all to attend free events that honor the AAPI community through art, music, food, discussions, awards, and much more. Please join us for a month long opportunity to connect and celebrate!
The Population
API makes up approximately 16% of the Cityās population
As of 2010, Los Angeles County had the largest populations of Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Indonesian, Korean, Sri Lankan, and Thai people outside of their respective home countries anywhere in the world. The City of Los Angeles specifically, had the highest numeric Asian population in all of Los Angeles County.
Historically they have been widely divided by dialect and origins, making it difficult for many to unite through an existing platform and stand up to hate crimes and other injustices.
The Problem
AAPIs are often left out of many diversity, equity and inclusion conversations, programs, and initiatives.
East Asian American white-collar professionals are the least likely group to be promoted from individual contributor roles into management ā less likely than any other race, including blacks and Hispanics.
Asian American communities to have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and overrepresented in business sectors that have been hardest hit by COVID-19.
Pandemic has exacerbated anti-Asian xenophobia and racism, which have historically acted as barriers to equity.
Korean businesses were heavily targeted during the Los Angeles 92ā riots, negatively impacting the community for years since.
The Mission
AAPI LA was created to address the unique challenges faced by the AAPI community, including the rapid rise of hate crimes, the unprecedented impact of the pandemic on AAPI businesses, inaccessibility to services due to language barriers, and the lack of AAPI inclusion in industries and conversations around equity and diversity. AAPI LA is tackling these challenges by bringing together nonprofit and for-profit organizations that support or provide services to the AAPI community under one umbrella. Together, these organizations collaborate to help amplify their voices, work, and assistance to the AAPI community.
The overarching goal, however, is to support a community that has been historically misrepresented, disregarded, and often referred to as the āinvisible minority.ā This is a path towards providing a voice to a frustrated community that has long been divided by language barriers and cultural differences.
āWe will always lock arms. Because we understand that our struggles might be a little different here or there. But it's basically the same struggle. It's different manifestations of racism we all fight and we fight together.ā
ā Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
āI have the honor of being the first South Asian on the Los Angeles City Council.Ā Growing up, I never saw people who looked like me in elected positions. Being able to break that barrier in the city I love is a privilege.
Iām proud to support and be a part of AAPI LA ā which uplifts the voices of Asian American and Pacific Islanders in this city, supports and fosters our ambition and endeavors, and allows us to join together and celebrate our strength, our joy, and our vibrancy as one AAPI community.ā
ā Councilmember Raman, Council District 4
āThe AAPI Community is incredibly resilient and joyful, and this month is a celebration of that. I am proud to be the first Filipina elected to the L.A. City Council, and I donāt take my responsibility to advocate for my community lightly.
Letās continue to push against barriers and pave a path for future generations. Together we stand stronger and are more capable of creating lasting positive change.ā
ā Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, Council District 14
Board of Directors
May 3 is officially AAPI LA DAY every year!
May 3 is officially AAPI LA Day every year in the City of Los Angeles!
Asian Pacific Community Fund (APCF) is honored to be AAPI-LAās fiscal partner to support our joint vision of providing a greater voice for the L.A. Area AAPI Community.
Together we can build a healthier and stronger AAPI community.
To donate, please make a check payable to āAPCFā with memo āAAPI-LAā or click this APCF Link.
Asian Pacific Community Fund
1145 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 105
Los Angeles, CA 90017