In Celebration of AAPI Heritage Month: In Conversation with Maryann Samreth
Sincerely Miss Mary
With the exponential increase of anti-asian hate and violence this past year, what does this AAPI month mean to you today?
AAPI month is about representation and taking up space in the world. As an AAPI, I have been conditioned to play small and put everyone's comfort first before my own. I was humbled about the successes in my fashion career to a point where I felt unworthy of being myself. I now have the courage to be my authentic self to empower other AAPIs to do the same.
What elements of your AAPI experience shaped the course of your career? What is it like being an AAPI leader today?
For so long, I turned my volume down on my voice, value, and worth. I had a very codependent relationship with my career while I was working in fashion design. Breaking out of that cycle now gives me the drive to be louder as ever as a trauma writing coach, writer, and mental health advocate. Many Asian Americans I know, including myself, have struggled with balancing our identities between being Asian Vs. American. I now realize I never had to choose. I can be 100% both individually and show up to the world as my multi-faceted self.
What do you want to share with the co-lab community about your AAPI experience and what you are hopeful for or inspired by for the future?
We have a significant influence in the fashion industry because of the values we uphold from being Asian. Bring curiosity to our culture, identity, and our traditions. Asian Americans have this stigma of being hardworking, submissive, quiet, and being comfortable behind the scenes. Our desires of being seen, validated, and heard are no different than any other human on this planet. I see AAPI millennials and Gen Z's breaking out of this stereotype the system painted us in and now are unafraid to have self-expression. I am hopeful and honored to be a part of a generation that is self-actualizing the change we wish to see in the world for a more inclusive nation. I also believe the fashion industry will shift to a more sustainable and wellness-driven space because the values of the youth are changing. We desire to live a life of internal fulfillment instead of external validation.
What advice would you share for the next generation of AAPI leaders? What do you wish you had known starting out in your career?
Take up space. You belong here. You matter. I wish I stopped caring what people thought of me and allowing the fear of judgment to hold me back from being myself. Having acceptance that you're not meant to be liked by everyone brings you so much peace.
How are you sharing your AAPI experience and amplifying our collective voice this month?
I have a growing platform on Instagram, Tiktok, and my podcast Mental Breakthrough where I share my appreciation, challenges, and honest frustrations of being an AAPI right now.
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryann-samreth-58071451
Website: https://www.sincerelymissmary.com/
Instagram: @sincerelymissmary
The month of May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the United States and the co-lab shares in celebrating the vital contributions, achievements, and influence Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have had within our industries and communities. We also use this time to continue recognizing the on-going challenges that face the AAPI community, especially with the increase of violence and discrimination over the last year. As articulated in our DE&I statement, the co-lab unwaveringly stands for equity and inclusion and condemns racist, discriminatory and hateful acts of any kind.
In the spirit of celebrating AAPI Heritage Month and elevating diverse AAPI voices, we are highlighting some of our wonderful AAPI co-lab members on our Instagram @jointhecolab and on our website.
To learn more about Asian American history, the AAPI experience or organizations that are driving positive change towards a more equitable future, please explore our resource library. This is not a comprehensive list, and if there are additional resources that you believe would be helpful, please email us at info@jointhecolab.com.
—the co-lab DIVERSITY COUNCIL
