Meet Sabrina Saleha | Screenwriter & Actress

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sabrina Saleha and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sabrina, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I am Diné (Navajo) Todích’íí’nii clan on my mom’s side and my dad is from Bangladesh. As a Diné-South Asian, actress and screenwriter, I do not see my life experience shared and I feel it is my unique calling to share my perspective from the lens of culturally growing up in two beautiful distinct cultures. I am both Indigenous to this land and daughter of an immigrant, and both experiences encompass a spectrum of upbringings and beliefs. My culture informs my work as an artist entirely as I’d like to think I am writing for my younger brother.

Acting and screenwriting is my second-act career. After I graduated from North Carolina State University with a Business Degree, I worked in the tech industry in Silicon Valley for several years. It was there, where founded the Native American Employee Resource Organization and secured partnership with Native American organizations on college campuses to create a pipeline for Indigenous talent.

I was able to work remotely, so I packed up my life and lived full-time on the road in a Ford Transit van to all of the National Parks. Traveling helped me have clarity that I want to spend the rest if my life telling stories.

I’m currently a graduate student earning my MFA in screenwriting at the Institute of American Indian Arts. In my studies and research, many films today root in Indigenous storytelling, but do not credit tribes or include Indigenous storytellers behind or in front of camera. Today, I strive to reclaim our own stories, written by us, for us. TV/Film influence our culture as a society and I never want my little nieces to struggle seeing themselves in stories and represented.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a storyteller, first and foremost. I want to see stories of people who look like as superheroes, scientists, artists so our younger generations won’t ever have to question whether they belong.

I lost my younger brother in 2013 unexpectedly when he was 17. My heart hurts to think of how my memories of him stop when he was just a teenager, with a bright future. I wish more than anything to have seen him grow up into a young man.

Grief will always be part of my life. I loved being a big sister. I loved growing up with someone who knew my exact pains and joys of my upbringing because we experienced it together. I miss the stupid memes we would send each other and the stupider fights we had.

I’m obsessed with stories because I know how important they are to preserve my brother’s memory.

Stories have the ability to show people a different perspective or have a better understanding of one another and our shared human experience.

As a screenwriter, I write about grief in hopes to reach to others. Grief can be an isolating experience, but I think stories have a way of connection, even with those that pass on or leave a lasting legacy.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite place in Atlanta is along the Chattahoochee River, hands down. I love hikes to the Bamboo forest.

I really enjoy Sushi Huku Japanese restaurant and Delbar, too!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m not self-made. I’m community-made. I’m family-made. I’m land-made. I’m ancestor-made.

I want to thank my mom, who instilled my confidence to be proud of who I am. I want to thank my younger brother, Eric, for ensuring I’m never alone. My husband, Wesley, who is my biggest cheerleader. My aunties and cousins who support all my goals.

My Atlanta acting community, who have become dear friends. My acting coaches at The Working Acting Group and Mornell Studios that have guided me. My acting friends Briana, Jason, Sofia, Lexx, Rachael and so many more.

My team, my agents Jacob and Corey at Privilege Talent and my manager Tracy Bobbitt at Brilliant Management.

And so many others, I wouldn’t be where I am today without my community.

Website: http://sabrinasaleha.com/

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Twitter: sabrinasaleha