In this episode, we welcome Dr. Sai Letutufu Burch, founder of SLB Strategies, to reflect on the discussion “From Invisibility to Visibility: the Rise of the Vasa, the Pacific Islander people of San Francisco.” Burch shares her experience growing up Black and Samoan, including early anti-Blackness in her Samoan household, exclusion tied to being “afakasi,” and later learning culture through elders and a 2015 trip to Samoa. She describes building pride despite not speaking Samoan, excelling academically, and educating others about Pacific Islander contributions and colonization. Birch highlights Pacific Islanders’ undercounting and major disparities, linking them to disinvestment in Black communities and calling for sustained Black–Pacific Islander solidarity amid threatened resource cuts. Grounding self-determination in radical love, dignity, respect, and activism, she endorses the Fa a'Samoan Initiative and advises youth to honor ancestors, claim freedom and prosperity as birthrights, and move in solidarity.

This episode was produced and edited by Darren J. de Leon and Socorro Gamboa. Please consider giving to the RAMA Blueprints podcast by donating at CARECEN SF, where you can listen to our archive of shows.

Theme music was written and performed by Orlando Torriente y su Orquesta Lolo.