Sam Louie is a psychotherapist, author, spoken word artist and Emmy Award-Winning former journalist who provides culturally relevant, diversity messages and trainings focused on building awareness, sensitivity, improving cultural competencies while fostering a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment.
Sam’s keynotes and workshops are not only educational but also inspirational where he draws from the collective experiences of his clients as well as his own upbringing as a first-generation Asian immigrant to the United States. Sam weaves together personal anecdotes, clinical examples, and world events and delivers his messages and workshops in a manner that is interactive through spoken word poetry, videos, and group exercises.
His family emigrated from Hong Kong and settled in South Seattle in the 70’s at a time when it was a predominantly poor, African-American neighborhood. He persevered through poverty, stereotypes, bullying, job discrimination, and three generations of addictions to get to where he is today. Consequently, he understands keenly what it means to be a minority in the U.S. and also a therapist who understands addictions first-hand having experienced his own share of addictive tendencies.
In his inspiring keynotes, he reflects back on all the personal, cultural, and societal barriers that stood in his way. Yet in the end, he found a way to reach his goals despite stumbles and setbacks. His story is a sobering reminder of the realities of social inequity still facing minorities still but is also a testament to the strength of the human spirit.