Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Shifting the conversation with Austin Lee

At Sabre, we are committed to embracing and celebrating our diversity. In this inclusion & engagement series, Shifting the Conversation, our people share their stories to engage in open dialog and shed light on their broad, rich and unique perspectives. In honor of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Austin Lee, Total Rewards Analyst, shares how embracing his cultural identity has shaped his strength, community and growth both personally and professionally. 

I didn’t always have the words to describe what being Asian American meant to me. Growing up in California, I was surrounded by diversity and blending in felt easy. My family’s heritage is rooted in Vietnam. At home, we celebrated traditions through food, language and shared values. I didn’t spend much time thinking about cultural identity. It was simply part of my everyday life. 

That shifted when I moved to Texas in middle school. Suddenly, I went from being one of many to one of the few. For the first time, I became aware of what it meant to look and feel different. The subtle questions, the stereotypes and the sense of standing out challenged me to reflect more deeply on who I was and where I came from. 

Instead of stepping back, I leaned in. I joined Asian American student organizations, performed in cultural showcases and took part in traditional dances and events that celebrated my heritage. One memory that stands out vividly is planning our 2018 Lunar New Year celebration. I still remember the long evenings spent with other members prepping decorations, organizing performances and sharing ideas on how to represent our culture with authenticity and pride. 

I practiced for weeks to get our group performance just right and when the day came, seeing the crowd’s reaction made all the effort worth it. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride, not just in our performance, but by being a part of something that brought our community together and helped others see the beauty in our traditions. 

In college, I continued to grow that connection. As a first-generation college student, I had to navigate many unknowns, from financial aid and class schedules, to balancing school and part-time work.  I found community through an organization called Asian American Culture. I eventually became a student officer in the organization, helping plan events and support other students facing similar challenges. It wasn’t always easy, but it was incredibly meaningful. It taught me leadership, perseverance and the value of showing up fully as myself. 

Now, early in my professional journey, I bring those lessons with me. Being Asian American is not just a part of my identity, it’s a source of my strength. It reminds me to be proud of my roots, to stay curious and to support a culture where everyone feels like they belong. 

I’m still learning and growing, but I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be to simply show up as yourself and how that can inspire others to do the same. 

Sabre is shifting the conversation with stories from passionate and bold inclusion group members. At the heart of our inclusion & engagement efforts, our eight inclusion groups, and counting, aim to amplify the voices of our team members and create a sense of belonging for all. Together, we celebrate diversity, applaud individuality and embrace unique perspectives to empower our global team members to bring their true selves to work every day. Learn more about our inclusion & engagement mission.