Sara Ting: Guiding World Unity with Purpose and Integrity
The warmth of the sun, the whisper of the wind, the quiet rhythm of nature these are the forces that guide Sara Ting As President of World Unity, Inc., Sara has discovered that simplicity is not just a way of life, but the secret to true well-being. Growing up as an Asian American woman in Boston, she experienced the sting of discrimination early on. But instead of allowing it to define her, she turned inward to nature, poetry, and the quiet power of giving.
Her Sun Poem, born from both pain and hope, became a personal anthem of equality and human connection. For Sara, everyone is a human being first. She lives this truth daily creating cultures of trust, respect, and collaboration, not with fanfare, but through small, consistent acts of kindness and understanding. Whether she’s leading a room or sharing a quiet laugh, Sara brings joy like sunlight naturally, generously, and without needing to be asked.
In her world, healing begins not with grand gestures, but with the choice to see one another fully and to give, just as nature does, unconditionally.
A Life of Simple, Powerful Giving
Sara Ting is a woman of deep gratitude, guided by strong family values and an enduring sense of purpose. From as early as nine years old, she found herself asking profound questions: Why am I here? What is my purpose? These reflections would shape a life defined by empathy, curiosity, and service to others.
Sara leads with her humanity. She cares deeply about people, and her inquisitive nature allows her to engage effortlessly with anyone she meets. To her, every step outside the door is an adventure, an opportunity to connect, uplift, and share in the simple joys of life. She believes in the quiet power of kindness, and in the magic of bringing positive energy, laughter, and joy into every conversation. For Sara, giving is not just an act it’s a way of life, more powerful than taking.
Her poem captures the essence of her philosophy:
Nature gives to us all the time,
The sun shining on us,
The air we breathe,
The water we drink,
She gives and gives
So we can learn to give as well.
Before founding World Unity, Inc., Sara spent a decade as a freelance television reporter for a public affairs program, where she highlighted the voices and challenges of the Asian American community. She also served as a poet-in-residence, teaching children ages 8–9 the art and beauty of self-expression through poetry. In 2010, she designed and began delivering diversity and inclusion training work she continues with passion and purpose today.
Sara Ting’s life and leadership are a testament to the belief that simplicity, humanity, and generosity are the true foundations of well-being and that every interaction holds the potential to create meaningful change.
32 Years of Promoting Unity Through Self-Awareness
Sara Ting, founder and president of World Unity, Inc., has spent over three decades championing a powerful, universal message, one rooted in the belief that real change begins with self-awareness. The spark that led to the organization’s founding in 1993 came years earlier, in 1987, when a young Asian American woman encountered Sara’s Sun Poem printed on a large 4′ x 8′ graphic poster hanging in a Boston YWCA. Her initial reaction was visceral: She hated it. The poem had opened an old wound, the pain of growing up in Boston and being discriminated against because of her race. But something remarkable happened. After seeing it repeatedly, she slowly began to let go. She found the strength to forgive.
This transformation planted the seed for what would become World Unity Inc. an organization committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion by raising self-awareness through the Sun Poem and empowering and inspiring individuals through the arts, education, and innovative ideas. At its heart is a timeless and transformative message embodied in The Sun Poem:
Are you greater than the sun
that shines on everyone:
Black, Brown, Yellow, Red and White,
the sun does not discriminate.
The poem offers more than poetic reflection; it presents a simple yet profound solution to one of humanity’s most persistent challenges: bias and prejudice. It encourages the essential inward journey of self-reflection, urging each individual to confront their own beliefs and perceptions. Its power has inspired initiatives that are not only transformational but sustainable and enduring initiatives that continue to be offered free of charge. One is promoting TEDx Talk Uncover and Overcome All Unconscious Biases as resource tool.
The success and longevity of World Unity, Inc. over 32 years are deeply tied to the resonance of this message and to the unwavering dedication of a committed team. For more than 26 years, technology consultant Michael Hemingway has been a cornerstone of the organization’s operations. A devoted board, passionate volunteers, sustaining sponsors, and generous contributors have all played vital roles in carrying the mission forward.
Sara Ting’s leadership is deeply grounded in her gratitude for life, her love for family and friends, and her enduring faith in God and Jesus Christ. These values have been a sustaining force in her journey. With every step, she has remained true to her belief in the power of kindness, simplicity, and the inner light that lives within us all.
The Culture of Unity
At the core of World Unity Inc. is a vibrant and inclusive culture, shaped by the diversity of its people across generations, cultures, and experiences. Under the leadership of Sara Ting, the organization has cultivated an environment where every individual feels valued, heard, and free to express their ideas, thoughts, and opinions. It’s a place where authenticity is encouraged, and everyone resonates with a unifying message: The Sun Poem.
The poem timeless, universal, and deeply transformative is more than a piece of writing. It reflects Sara Ting’s unwavering belief in the principle of equality that every person is a human being first. It serves as the moral and cultural compass of the organization, guiding its mission to promote inclusion and elevate self-awareness.
Sara’s values are the foundation of World Unity Inc.’s culture: truth, respect, fairness, flexibility, deep listening, and justice. She champions a growth mindset, encouraging thinking big, continuous learning, and courageous conversations. Self-awareness, she believes, is essential: knowing one’s strengths and weaknesses fosters clarity, accountability, and personal responsibility. In both leadership and daily operations, she upholds integrity, holding herself and others to the highest ethical standards.
These values are not only espoused they’re built into the very fabric of the organization. By weaving the principles of the Sun Poem into team dynamics, decision-making, and outreach, World Unity Inc. fosters a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation. The result is a forward-looking organization where creativity thrives, voices are uplifted, and people are empowered.
Innovation plays a vital role in expanding the organization’s reach and impact. Creative programs and fresh ideas enable World Unity Inc. to engage audiences of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures and to attract diverse sponsorships and partnerships locally, nationally, and globally. This innovation, rooted in human connection and purpose, ensures that the message of unity continues to reach hearts and minds everywhere.
Guided by Heart and Mission
As President of World Unity Inc., Sara Ting holds the vital responsibility of ensuring that all initiatives remain deeply aligned with the organization’s core mission of promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion. She takes a strategic approach to fundraising and partnership-building, cultivating relationships with both private and nonprofit sectors to secure the resources necessary for sustained impact. A key part of her role involves organizing and executing the organization’s annual major fundraiser, a cornerstone event that supports ongoing programs.
Sara is also dedicated to promoting World Unity Inc. on local, national, and global stages, sharing the powerful message of the Sun Poem and the remarkable work the organization has championed for over 32 years. She finds profound joy in witnessing the impact of their initiatives from inspiring students with the song “We All See the Stars” to celebrating recent milestones such as receiving a prestigious Global Unity Award and delivering a keynote address in Dubai.
In her view, the critical qualities of effective leadership start with self-awareness: understanding one’s strengths, weaknesses, and unconscious biases. Authenticity is paramount being true to oneself while honing exceptional listening skills and embracing a growth mindset. Sara emphasizes cultivating humility, compassion, and emotional self-control, along with the courage to step outside comfort zones and strive for excellence. She believes in having faith in something greater than oneself and values resilience, visionary thinking, and sound decision-making.
For Sara, leadership is grounded in daily gratitude and practices that nurture a positive mindset and deep connection to humanity principles that empower her to guide World Unity Inc. with integrity, passion, and unwavering commitment.
