5 Ways to Embrace Culture and Lead with Purpose

 By Darja Bassut

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Culture has always been a part of my life, but it took time to understand how much it shapes the way I lead and serve. As someone who has moved between countries, languages, and communities, I have learned that embracing culture is not just personal. It also helps us connect with others, understand different perspectives, and build stronger communities. 

Learning to embrace my own culture has helped me grow as a communicator, advocate, and leader. It has also made me more aware of the cultures around me. 

For anyone looking to lead with more authenticity, here are five ways to embrace your culture and apply it in the work you do!

 

1. Use Creative Expression to Share Your Culture 

Culture can be communicated clearly through what you create. If you are an artist, performer, writer, or even someone who enjoys crafting or photography, your creative work can tell a personal story that reflects your roots. This could include painting scenes from your family’s history, wearing traditional clothing in a performance, or using symbols from your background in your visual work. 

Creative expression invites others into your world without requiring them to already understand it. In my experience as a speed painter, I have found that showing cultural stories through art can open meaningful conversations. It becomes a way to represent both yourself and the people you come from. Start with one piece of creative work that feels connected to your heritage and build from there. 

2. Learn or Reconnect with Your Heritage Language 

Language holds personal meaning, even if you are not fluent. Learning your family’s language, or even a few key phrases, can help you feel more grounded and confident. It also helps you communicate more effectively with elders, cultural groups, and community members who may not speak the same language as your peers. 

When I speak Spanish or Russian, I am able to build trust with people who may not otherwise feel comfortable sharing their stories. You do not need perfect grammar or pronunciation. You just need effort and curiosity. Apps, books, and conversations with family members are great ways to begin. Over time, this learning becomes a resource you can use to connect across generations and backgrounds. 

3. Participate in and Share Your Cultural Traditions

Cultural traditions are often passed down in everyday activities. Cooking a family recipe, observing a holiday, or learning a traditional song or dance are all meaningful ways to stay connected. These small actions are important forms of cultural preservation. They also give you something personal to share when you are in leadership settings or public service roles. 

Sharing a tradition is not about performance. It is about showing pride and inviting others to learn. For example, I have introduced friends and peers to Hawaiian celebrations and explained the reasons behind them. These moments create mutual respect and help people feel more open about their own backgrounds. If you are not sure where to start, ask your family members or elders about something they remember from their childhood. 

4. Make Space for Culture in Your Digital Presence 

Your online presence is a reflection of what matters to you. Posting about your culture, whether it is a caption about a traditional outfit or a video teaching a phrase in your language, can educate and inspire your audience. It also gives others permission to share their own stories. 

You do not need to post all the time, and you do not need to overexplain. A simple post with a personal connection is often more impactful than a long explanation. When I share Ukrainian, Hawaiian, or Latin content on social media, I focus on why it matters to me and how it relates to what I am doing now. It becomes a record of identity that supports the rest of my leadership work. Think about one part of your heritage that you would be proud to post about and use that as a starting point.

 

5. Let Culture Inform the Way You Serve Others 

Your background gives you insight. It shapes your values, your perspective, and your understanding of community. When you take time to reflect on your culture, it helps you identify the causes and communities you feel most connected to. This can guide your leadership decisions, your service work, and your long-term goals. 

My own nonprofit work and community service are based on the values I learned from my upbringing as a war evacuee, military child, and global student. Unity Across Borders came from the idea that we can build empathy through cultural understanding. I would not have reached that mission without looking inward first. Take time to think about what your background has taught you about responsibility, family, and justice. Use those lessons as a foundation for how you lead. 

Final Thoughts: 

You do not have to change who you are to step into leadership. Your culture is part of your identity, and that identity has a place in every room you enter. Embracing it helps you lead with more honesty, more care, and more connection. 

It also helps you better understand the people around you. When you take time to explore your own background, you become more aware of the diverse experiences and values that shape others. This awareness strengthens your ability to lead with respect and inclusivity. Culture is not only something to preserve, it is something to celebrate, both in ourselves and in others. When you bring your full self into your work, you create space for shared understanding. That is where real leadership begins.

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Aloha Headshots

Darja Bassut is the current Miss Oahu (HI). You can find her on her title's Instagram.

Find here other guest blogs for Section 36 Forevers here.

Turning Pain into Purpose: From Evacuating a Warzone to Building My Nonprofit

By Darja Bassut

At 17 years old, I found myself caught in the crossfire of conflict. As sirens wailed and fear gripped my heart, I had to flee Ukraine, where my family had been stationed due to my military background. My journey led me back to Hawaii, a place that had always been home to me. But returning under these circumstances, living in a hotel for 8 months and facing an uncertain future, made it feel unfamiliar. This experience tested my resilience and changed the course of my life in ways I never expected. 

For as long as I can remember, I have felt different. Growing up in a military family meant constantly adapting to new places, cultures, and environments. Every move brought new challenges, and I often struggled to define my identity. Moving to Hawaii at an early age was a turning point. It shaped my understanding of culture and belonging. As a member of an immigrant family with Hispanic and Lithuanian roots, I learned to embrace my diverse background and use it to advocate for inclusion. I realized that diversity is not a barrier but a strength. 
Leaving Ukraine due to war reinforced this belief. In the midst of uncertainty, I saw the power of community and the way people support each other during crises. Shared experiences create strong connections, and I wanted to foster that sense of unity. This realization led me to create Unity Across Borders, a nonprofit focused on cultural appreciation, diversity advocacy, and service. 

The idea for Unity Across Borders was born in a small hotel room where my family and I stayed after evacuating Ukraine. I remember sitting on the bed, overwhelmed by the desire to help but unsure where to start. That night, I launched my first fundraiser. I did not know what the outcome would be, but I knew I had to take action. The funds raised went to children affected by the crisis, and that moment became the foundation for what would later grow into a nonprofit organization. What began as uncertainty became the start of a mission to create meaningful change. 

My experiences have shown me the importance of unity in diversity. I have witnessed how cultural misunderstandings contribute to division, and I wanted to be part of the solution. Unity Across Borders started as a personal initiative to encourage cross-cultural appreciation, amplify diverse voices, and help individuals embrace differences. 

Through my nonprofit, I have introduced cultural competency education across two states and two continents, reaching more than 1,500 students. As a digital creator, I have shared stories and experiences that highlight cultural exchange, gaining over 2 million Pinterest views and 400,000 viral views across platforms. I have also raised approximately $4,000 to support global and national causes, reinforcing the importance of community connection. By collaborating with education professionals and engaging with diverse communities, I continue to expand my work and increase cross-cultural understanding.

As I continue my work, I plan to expand my initiatives, form new partnerships, and integrate my cultural curriculum into more schools. My goal is to make cultural education a fundamental part of learning and create opportunities for students to appreciate diversity. 

Challenges do not have to define us; they can shape us into something stronger. Adversity can either confine us to our struggles or propel us toward a greater purpose. Pain, though heavy, carries the potential to build something meaningful if we choose to transform it. For me, that transformation became Unity Across Borders, a mission born from hardship but fueled by hope. 

I share my story not just as a testament to resilience, but as a reminder that even in the darkest times, there is always an opportunity to create light. Often, the strength we seek is already within us, waiting to be ignited and shared with the world.

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Photo by Aloha Headshots, makeup by Face Art Beauty

Darja Bassut is the current Miss Oahu (HI). You can find her on her title's Instagram.

This is her first blog for Section 36 Forevers.