1. Every week we will feature the adventures of one amazing woman. We aim to celebrate the varied and colorful roles women
play within industry and business. Experience inspirational, real stories by real women; Interested in being featured? Please
send your adventures to info@zarsmedia.com For previous adventures please click here
I am inspired and humbled by the amazing women who have followed their dreams and passion and have achieved much
success. The world is a richer place and blessed to have them. I am honored to have an opportunity to share my story. I’m a
diversity educator, trainer, consultant, author and president of World Unity, Inc. a non-profit organization dedicated to making
a continuing and lasting contribution towards the elimination of all forms of prejudice, bias and discrimination. We envision
this can be accomplished through the construction of a permanent landmark showcasing the following poem: Are you greater
than the sun/ that shines on everyone: Black, Brown, Yellow, Red and White/ the sun does not discriminate ©
Finding one’s purpose and passion
I arrived at the place I am today by asking a question when I was 10 years old, why am I here on earth? This question led me
through a journey of self-exploration; discovering who I am and my purpose for being here. When I went to college at Boston
University School of Fine Arts I learned one of the most important lessons in life – make sure you love what you do. With that
as my mantra I pursued everything with a passion until it left me and then I was on to the next. My passion when I left college
was pottery. The passion waned the day I asked myself this question, how many pots do I have to make to pay the rent and
could I see myself doing this for the next 5 years. The answer was a resounding NO! I was on to finding my next passion.
During this search I worked as a receptionist at a large radio station. It was here I discovered that I loved meeting new people
and my sense of curiosity as a child never left me. This ultimately led me into a career in the media.
Following my passion
Following my passion took courage, patience, dedication and being spiritually grounded. As I pursued my passion in the media
industry there was a slight detour I took before landing my TV job. This experience prepared me for the work I’ve devoted my
life to since 1993. In 1985 I introduced the Sun poem to a banker as an educational piece to consider for a public service
campaign. His response was immediate. He loved it and from that point on a city-wide multi-media public service campaign
was developed to promote racial and ethnic harmony throughout Boston. The Sun poem was promoted on billboards, displayed
in the mass transit line, and produced into a public service message for television and aired on all three network affiliates. The
campaign was so successful it was duplicated in New York City in 1986. NBC and CBS network television and radio aired the
public service message so it could be seen and aired across the country. Making this campaign happen in NYC required
overcoming a lot of no’s. This gave me a lot of resilience in dealing with future no’s and future obstacles. This detour also led
me into developing programs in diversity and inclusion; however I did not pursue it as a full time career my heart was still in
the media.
Turning point in my life
In 2000 I was laid off my TV job and had to decide next steps. While I was working as a TV reporter I also founded World
Unity, Inc. in 1993. Now I had a choice to continue pursuing a career in the media or change the direction of my life. I was
very uncertain about what to do. Fortunately I had no family to consider. I remember hearing a story on radio about the founder
Adventures of Sara Ting
President and Founder; Diversity Consultant,
Trainer - POET Educator at Sara Ting and Associates

2. of Kentucky Fried Chicken that led to his success. He asked himself an important question - what was the most valuable thing
he had to offer the world? For him it was his recipe for fried chicken. For me it was the Sun poem. And going back to this
question of why I am here on earth I focused on World Unity, Inc. our mission and I developed my business as a diversity
trainer, educator and consultant.
In 2011 I was inspired to write a book entitled, “Small Book with a Big Idea” 5 Minute Training To Empowers You and
Transform The World.” I did not follow the traditional route and look for a publisher or agent. I tried in my earlier years
and had no success. I followed a non-traditional route – self publishing. It’s a little bit over 2 years since the book has been out.
The first large order I received was 200 hundred copies from the Michigan National Guard. In 2011Unilever sponsored 5,000
copies that were distributed at the Urban League’s National Conference in Boston. The book is now in 22 colleges and
universities across America.
Now I’ve devoted my time and life to World Unity, Inc. and being a diversity and inclusion educator, trainer and speaker and
author. I’ve worked with colleges, universities, housing authorities, municipalities and non-profit organizations across the
country. It has been an incredible journey coming to understand the depth of prejudice in America and the world and realizing
the role World Unity Inc. would play. The construction of the World Unity Landmark will help ignite a consciousness of
equality for everyone in America and the world. As Albert Einstein said once, “You cannot solve a problem with the same
consciousness that created it. You must stand on a higher ground.” The Sun poem engages the reader to be reflective and
provides an opportunity to have a transformative experience. As a diversity and inclusion educator and trainer I’ve meet so
many great people who are also committed to eliminating prejudice and bias in the world and young people who’ve been
inspired by the Sun poem. Right now there is a young man in Nairobi Kenya who was deeply moved by the Sun poem. He
has a vision to promote it throughout his country. My approach to diversity and inclusion training is about empowering
individuals from the inside out. Using innovative and engaging approaches to develop self-awareness and critical
knowledge the individual can help transform an organizations and their community.
Defining Success
As I’ve followed this path of understanding my purpose here and this journey of self-exploration what’s helped me is defining
success for myself and not letting society define it. The dream comes from within and can only be realized by you, it’s your
dream. I was also following a path of understanding who am I and serving a great greater purpose. Being an Asian American
woman carried some extra challenges that I had to become aware of and not let define me. Success for me is having good
health, doing something that’s fulfilling and serving a greater purpose, having a strong loving relationship with family, strong
abiding friendships, a strong spiritual foundation and building relationships with colleagues and new people who come into my
life. I also believe it’s important to keep life simple and to know that while you were here on earth you lived a life of joy,
happiness and helped make the world a better place is my definition of success.
Overcoming obstacles and keys to success
There are always obstacles to overcome in following one’s passion. There are the external and the internal. The internal are the
most important to overcome. Believing in one self, not letting fear, doubt, insecurities and negativity overtake you. Having the
patience, resilience, fortitude and determination to overcome whatever is standing in your way. Always keeping your eyes on
the goal and not getting caught up in the obstacle. For me having strong family relationship and spiritual foundation has been
essential. There were times along my journey with World Unity, Inc. when I was tested and I felt powerless against the
obstacles. In those times it was my deep faith and spiritual friends that guided me through. Having a loving family, core group
of friends who are spiritually grounded has been a tremendous help through challenging times.
Routine and Balancing one’s life
When you work for yourself one must be very disciplined. I have a set of tasks and goals every day to accomplish. I start my
day with a 15-20 minute physical routine, meditation and prayers to ground myself and continue my spiritual growth.
Prioritizing the tasks and having a great team of people to work with who deliver quality work on time contributes to the
success of short and long term goals. Being single all my life the balance I’ve had to maintain is to make sure I make time to be
with family, maintain a personal life and not be totally absorbed with work. My college years helped me understand balance. I
was an extreme example of being a workaholic. Never missing one class in 4 years, only seeing one movie and never
discovering a beautiful park that was about a half mile from the college campus until my junior year gives you an idea of how
unbalanced my life was.
The special man is not in my life yet. I’ve been deeply in love and had my heart broken more than once. I know that being
happy is not dependent on a man. Happiness and joy comes from within. In the Asian culture there is a Chinese character
translated into English it means double happiness. The idea is when two happy people come together there’s double happiness.
So I am open to the happy man who will come along in my life to have double happiness.

3. As I come to the end of my story so far, I know that the journey is not over and I will continue learn more about myself and
what life is asking of me. I will continue to be tested and keep praying for guidance. Some favorite quotes I’ve found along the
journey that have nourished my soul that I would like to share.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever
does” Margret Meade
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt
I will leave with a quote that was divinely given to me as I wrote my book, Dare to be as great as the sun. Dare to shine on
everyone. I hope you realize all your deepest heartfelt dreams, embrace all that life gives to you and let your heart be your
guide.
Sara Ting
President and Founder
Diversity Consultant
Trainer - POET Educator
Sara Ting and Associates