The AACC was founded in 1983, and represents over 16 Asian American communities. This includes Bangladeshi, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Malaysian, Nepalese, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Thai and Vietnamese communities.

By Sadruddin Noorani

This event is held on this grand of a scale only once a year. The Asian American Coalition of Chicago (AACC)’s Annual Celebration is traditionally the single largest organized annual event in Chicago’s Asian American community. Every year a different Asian community takes turn playing host of the gala. This year it is the Chinese American Community, which has quadruplets before (in 1984, 1991, 1999 and 2007) held the gavel for the community’s most important event of the year.

The Asian American Coalition of Chicago, which sponsors both the annual Gala Dinner and the weeklong Asian American Festival at Chicago’s Richard J. Daley Center Plaza in the month of May, during Asian American Heritage Month. This year’s host is the Chinese American Community has twice before hosted the Asian American Festival in 2000 and 2006. 

Founded in 1983, the Coalition celebrates approximately 16 different cultures. Over the years, the Coalition has included representatives of the Bangladeshi, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Malaysian, Nepalese, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Thai and Vietnamese communities. Numerous dignitaries traditionally attend the festivities, including the Asian consular corps, elected and appointed governmental officials, political candidates, top business and corporate leaders, decision-makers at Chicago’s major media press outlets, and everyone who considers him/herself a mover and shaker in and around, or for, the Asian American national movement.