Sasha Buz

Sasha Buz, 20’s
Seattle, WA
she/her

Current Role: 
1) Environmental, Health, and Safety Program Manager at T-Mobile: Communications Director responsible for developing copy to inform and educate employees on various health and safety topics.
2) UW graduate student: Master of Communication in Digital Media
3) Creative Coordinator at Restart US: Develop creatives to help encourage mask-wearing behaviors to help combat COVID-19 and save lives.

What racial, ethnic, cultural community or communities do you identify with? 
Chinese/Vietnamese/Filipino.

When and how did your family come to the United States? Where were you born?
Not sure when, but my mom emigrated from the Philippines. I was born in California.

What are the strengths and challenges of being Asian, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander?
Strengths:
- Importance of family and helping future generations.

Challenges:
- Lots of cultural and traditional expectations.
- Creating and maintaining boundaries because the eldest child is expected to do everything and help everyone at all times.

What is your proudest accomplishment?
Finding out that my husband and I cannot conceive naturally. It's a blessing in disguise. Although we haven't received much support and felt alone, we realized that we should talk about family planning and infertility since it's so taboo in Asian culture.

As such, we started a YouTube channel to inform, educate, and support others who are Asian American that are currently on the (In Vitro Fertilization) IVF journey or may start in the future. 

What is one thing you learned or appreciate from your family growing up?
Although blood is thicker than water, it doesn't mean that you should drown. 

Do you speak your family's native language? Why or why not?
I used to speak Tagalog fluenty, but it's slowly fading since I don't have friends or family to practice with on a daily basis. I can still understand Hookien though! :) 

What advice do you have for the younger generations in our Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander community?
Dedication to family is important, but don't let that prevent you from taking care of yourself and pursuing your dreams. You can help family but don't do everything for them. By choosing to help those who help themselves, you're also helping yourself. Just know there are people and situations that are out of your control.

What gives you the greatest joy in life?
Helping others and making a difference, no matter how small - like smiling or complimenting a stranger with hopes of making their day.

Are there any projects you have created that you'd like to share and promote?
Our IVF journey that I shared above. Here is an example of one of the Restart US ads I've created.

If you would like to share your voice as a person of color, please read the directions and fill out this form here. All ages, backgrounds, and generations welcome. Thank you!