The Black American Political Association of California, was founded by Willie L. Brown, Jr., Tom Bradley and Mervyn Dymally on July 6, 1978 when sixty African-American leaders and activists from across the state met in San Francisco and Los Angeles. The first annual convention was planned at that meeting and was held in Sacramento on October 12-13, 1978. The theme was 'The African-American Political Agenda, Survival in the 80’s.' Convention attendance of over three thousand African-American leaders made it one of the largest gatherings of African-American leaders in California.

A multitude of African-American leaders and community activists gathered in San Francisco to launch a statewide political organization. B.A.P.A.C. commends the following individuals for their insight and courage:

Alfreda Abbott, Marguerite Archie-Hudson, Barbara Boudreaux, Bishop H.H. Brookins, Yvonne Brathwaite-Burke, Callie Carney, Bill Chester, Dave Cunningham, Ronald Dellums, Julian Dixon, Bob Farrell, Rev. Jerome Fisher, Roger Fisher, John George, Carlton Goodlett, Bill Green, Rev. Joe Hardwick, "Sweet" Alice Harris, Elihu Harris, Augustus Hawkins, Mary Henry, Rev. Frank Higgins, Roland Holmes, Ernest Ward, Alice Huffman, Teresa Hughes, Nate Holden, Dezie Woods-Jones, R.B. Jones, Celes King III, Willie Kennedy, Dr. Thomas Kilgore, Leroy King, George Livingston, Ruth Love, Gilbert Lindsley, Juanita Millender-McDonald, Ophelia McFadden, John Miller, Lillian Mobley, Gwen Moore, Rev. Cecil Murray, Percy Pinkney, Rev. Leon Ralph, Henry Ramsey, Wilson Riles, Byron Rumford, Rev. E.E. Stafford, Doris Thomas, Curtis Tucker, Sr., Walter Tucker II, Will Ussery, Edward Vincent, Doris Ward, Maxine Waters, Diane Watson, Eloise Westbrook, Rev. Cecil Williams, Leon Williams, Roy Willis, Lionel Wilson and Marion J. Woods.

BAPAC supporters stressed the need for a united force within the State, divorced from partisan politics. When the first convention convened, Willie L. Brown, Jr. was selected as the convention chair. Teresa Hughes and Lionel Wilson were selected as the Southern and Northern chairs respectively. Under their leadership, BAPAC began to develop its identity.
From it humble beginnings, BAPAC has experienced tremendous growth and now has 55 Chapters and over 60,000 members throughout the State of California. As members of BAPAC, we can be proud of our growth and record of achievement. For over 20 years, BAPAC has continued to fight for parity, fairness and equal justice for all.