Armen Sedrakian’s Dedication to a Comprehensive Event Calendar Unites the Bay Area’s Armenian Community
BY ARMAN ARCHOUNIANI
Special to Asbarez
Armen Sedrakian has been an active member of the Bay Area’s Armenian community for as long as he can remember. As the creator of the Armenian Bay Area Calendar, he has devoted countless hours to ensuring the community stays connected and informed about local events. His work has become indispensable, helping Armenians across the region discover gatherings, cultural celebrations, and other happenings they might otherwise miss.
Born in Oakland and raised in the Sacramento area, Sedrakian grew up deeply connected to the Armenian community. His father was active in the St. Gregory Church community, while his mother’s side was involved with St. John Church’s. These ties formed the foundation of his lifelong dedication to serving his heritage.
“Some of my earliest memories are of attending AYF dances at Rostom Hall in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district,” Sedrakian recalled. “It was always about bringing people together.”
The inspiration for the Armenian Bay Area Calendar came from his friend in the St. John’s community, Vaughn Hovanessian. He initially created a paper-based calendar in the pre-internet era. “He would put out a quarterly flyer, printing hard copies to distribute at community events,” Sedrakian explained. “When the internet began to take off, and printing became too costly, I asked if I could take over the idea.”
Sedrakian began compiling email addresses in the early 1990s, gradually building a mailing list of more than 2,000 people. Over the years, the calendar has grown into an essential resource. Community members regularly inform him about upcoming events, which he dutifully includes.
In addition to running the calendar, Sedrakian has had a long career in education. After more than two decades as a teacher, he now serves as principal of Lawton Alternative School in San Francisco. Balancing his professional life with his commitment to the calendar is a challenge.
“Sometimes I miss an event, and I feel terrible,” Sedrakian admitted. “I try to stay consistent, putting out updates at least once a month. But my work schedule can get so hectic that some nights I can’t even check my emails.”
Despite the challenges, the feedback he receives keeps him motivated. “People tell me they wouldn’t have known about certain events without the calendar.”
Sedrakian also recognizes the contributions of others working to connect the Armenian community. “There are a few other calendars now, such as the ones from San Francisco Homenetmen and the San Francisco outreach committee. It’s great to see more people taking an active role.”
San Francisco’s Armenian community is relatively small compared to certain cities. With approximately 50,000 Armenians, this population relies on tools such as the Armenian Bay Area Calendar to stay connected. Sedrakian’s calendar helps bridge geographical divides, fostering community cohesion and ensuring that cultural and social activities are accessible to everyone.
“My goal has always been to make the calendar non-partisan and open to everyone,” Sedrakian said. “Whether it’s a church event, an LGBTQ gathering, or something else, if it’s Armenian-related, it goes on the calendar.”
Looking to the future, Sedrakian hopes to inspire younger generations to take up the mantle. While there have been attempts to replicate the calendar on platforms such as Facebook, he believes there is no perfect medium for a dedicated community website.
“It’s a sense of obligation,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for so long, and I’m happy to pass it on when someone else is ready—ideally, someone from the younger generation. Until then, I’ll keep plugging away.”
For Sedrakian, the calendar isn’t just a logistical tool; it’s a labor of love. By bridging the gaps within a dispersed community, he ensures that no one is left out of the cultural and social fabric that defines the Bay Area’s Armenians.
Arman Archouniani is a San Francisco-based freelance journalist. He graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and minored in media literacy. He was previously the sports editor for Golden Gate Xpress at San Francisco State University and The Skyline View at Skyline College.
