Episode 5

eXtra Commentary: Dr. Sai Leatutufu Burch

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Sai Letutufu Burch, founder of SLB Strategies, to reflect on the discussion “From Invisibility to Visibility: the Rise of the Vasa, the Pacific Islander people of San Francisco.” Burch shares her experience growing up Black and Samoan, including early anti-Blackness in her Samoan household, exclusion tied to being “afakasi,” and later learning culture through elders and a 2015 trip to Samoa. She describes building pride despite not speaking Samoan, excelling academically, and educating others about Pacific Islander contributions and colonization. Birch highlights Pacific Islanders’ undercounting and major disparities, linking them to disinvestment in Black communities and calling for sustained Black–Pacific Islander solidarity amid threatened resource cuts. Grounding self-determination in radical love, dignity, respect, and activism, she endorses the Fa a'Samoan Initiative and advises youth to honor ancestors, claim freedom and prosperity as birthrights, and move in solidarity.

This episode was produced and edited by Darren J. de Leon and Socorro Gamboa. Please consider giving to the RAMA Blueprints podcast by donating at CARECEN SF, where you can listen to our archive of shows.

Theme music was written and performed by Orlando Torriente y su Orquesta Lolo.

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RAMA Blueprints

The History of the Real Alternatives Program (RAP), a Revolutionary Youth Organization practicing Self-Determination.

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About your hosts

Darren J. de Leon

Darren J. de Leon is an award winning poet from San Bernardino, CA., playwright, podcast/radio producer, street DJ, high school teacher, taquero and community activist. For 12 years, he produced and hosted Radio 2050, a Latino Arts Radio Magazine for KPFA in Berkeley, CA. In the mid 90’s, Darren was a teacher at Real Alternative Programs (RAP High School) where he developed a curriculum that emphasized the practice of non-violence, composition, and self-expression for juvenile delinquents and the chronically truant. Currently, Darren lives in San Bernardino, CA in his family’s house of over 50 years. He continues to write, create art, and tend to his garden of vegetables and fruits. He produced Podcast Descarga: A History of Los Delicados and Project 1521, a poetry podcast. An avid bicycle rider, he can be spotted around the L.A. area on weekends pedaling and enjoying the art and literary scene. He loves mezcal and hates gasoline.

Socorro Gamboa

Socorro R. Gamboa is a conscious and passionate leader born and raised in Oxnard, California, she is a Community Activist, Artvist, an original Chicano Park muralist, a former high school principal, former Gang Reduction Intervention/Outreach specialist, a podcast producer and a community engagement consultant.
Socorro is truly a renaissance artivist. Socorro moved to San Francisco in 1988 where she began her journey working at the Real Alternatives Program (RAP) where she worked for 15 years as Case Manager, Education DIrector and the interim Executive Director of R.A.P. She also worked as the Director of the Community Response Network (CRN) a city wide community youth violence street intervention program, supervising 25 formerly incarcerated individuals, providing outreach and professionalism development. She is currently the co-founder of the 5 Sisters Audio Garden Production Company and co-producer and host of the RAMA Blueprints Podcast. She is rooted deeply in her spiritual practices, working the land, gardening and preserving the legacy of the elders by leaving a repository of valuable life lessons and insights.