Born in Poland to an Angolan father and a Polish mother, Sara Alex embodies a unique blend of cultures, identities, and professional pursuits. Her story is one of embracing dual heritage, navigating the complexities of race in a predominantly white society, and balancing two demanding careers as an international model and a dentist. Sara’s journey offers valuable insights into cultural identity, resilience, and the power of representation.
This article delves deep into Sara’s experiences—from her memorable trip to Angola, the country of her father, to her career in modeling and dentistry, and her activism against racial discrimination in Poland. It also highlights the evolving attitudes toward race in Polish society, especially among the younger generation, and Sara’s reflections on her own identity and aspirations.
Discovering Angola: A Heartwarming Journey to Roots and Family
Three years ago, Sara and her younger brother Kuba embarked on a life-changing trip to Angola, a country they had only known through stories and their father’s heritage. Although born and raised in Poland, their curiosity about their father’s homeland and a desire to connect with their extended family motivated this journey.
Sara recalls the trip as “heartwarming and touching,” filled with moments that left a lasting impact. Meeting her grandmother was one of the most emotional highlights. Although Sara had met her before as a child, this reunion was especially profound because her grandmother expressed immense joy, saying she could now “die happy” having seen her grandchildren.
The siblings also explored Luanda and the stunning natural beauty of Angola. Sara fondly remembers a trip to a unique rock formation, which she describes as a “highlight” of Angolan architecture. Their visit to Kissama National Park, where they saw elephants and experienced the raw wilderness, was another unforgettable moment. Despite warnings about crocodiles in the nearby river, the natural surroundings left a deep impression on them.
Exploring Angolan Cuisine: A Taste of Heritage
Food played a significant role in Sara’s connection to Angola. While the flavors were quite different from Polish cuisine, she enjoyed trying local dishes, especially those featuring fish, beans, and vegetables. Sara admits that “F,” a staple Angolan dish made from cassava flour, was not her favorite, finding it somewhat tasteless unless paired with meat and vegetables. Nevertheless, she appreciated the experience, especially since it was prepared lovingly by family members during their visit.
Having grown up in Poland, Sara was familiar with some African flavors thanks to African restaurants in Poland and her father’s cooking at home. However, tasting authentic Angolan food in its homeland added a new dimension to her cultural understanding.
The Dual Career: Balancing Modeling and Dentistry
Sara’s professional life is as multifaceted as her identity. She is not only an international model but also a practicing dentist in Poland. Her story challenges the common narrative that modeling is an exclusive, full-time path, showing that it is possible to pursue diverse passions simultaneously.
From Dental School to the Runway
Sara’s entry into modeling was somewhat serendipitous. While studying dentistry, she was either discovered or reached out to a Polish modeling agency, which led to her first contract. Initially, she took on small jobs in Poland, excited to earn even modest sums like $100 for a day of shooting. As her career progressed, especially during the pandemic when she could study online, Sara managed to travel for modeling assignments across Europe and beyond.
Her mother agency, Curve Model Management based in Hamburg, manages her bookings worldwide, including collaborations with agencies in the US. Currently, she holds a sponsored artist visa in New York, which is a significant accomplishment, as few agencies sponsor models these days. This visa reflects the agency’s belief in her potential to thrive in the competitive New York market.
Juggling Two Demanding Professions
Maintaining both careers is challenging but rewarding. Sara works three days a week as a dentist in Poland, while dedicating the rest of her time to modeling. Sometimes her schedule requires her to pause one career to focus on the other, and she has an understanding agreement with her dental clinic to reschedule patients when modeling commitments arise.
Despite the stress and the difficulty of managing two very different fields, Sara finds satisfaction in both emotional and financial terms. She acknowledges that at some point, she might have to choose one path to excel fully, echoing her mother’s advice that “when you are good at everything, you are good at nothing.” For now, though, she embraces the challenge of balancing both worlds.
Embracing a Mixed-Race Identity in Poland
Growing up as a mixed-race individual in Poland—a country with over 95% white Caucasian population—posed unique challenges for Sara. She often felt caught between two worlds, too dark to be considered fully Polish by some, yet too light-skinned to be viewed as fully Angolan. This duality sparked questions about identity, belonging, and acceptance.
The Struggle for Acceptance and Understanding
Sara recalls being one of the few mixed-race children in her schools, which sometimes led to uncomfortable questions about her background, appearance, and family. She faced the complex reality of being Polish by birth and upbringing but having a visibly different racial identity. This often meant explaining multiple times that she was indeed Polish, a fact many found hard to reconcile with her appearance.
Her experience also included moments of racial insensitivity, such as being called names or jokes about her skin color. Despite these challenges, Sara’s mother always spoke positively about Angolan culture and encouraged her to embrace her heritage.
Finding Pride and Confidence in Dual Heritage
Over time, Sara reached a point where she fully embraces her mixed-race identity without struggle. She proudly identifies as both Polish and Angolan, integrating the best aspects of both cultures into her life. This acceptance has brought her peace and strength, allowing her to navigate societal perceptions with confidence.
She emphasizes the importance of role models and representation, noting that growing up without many mixed-race adults in Poland made it harder to envision her future. Today, Sara sees herself as a trailblazer, someone who can inspire others with similar backgrounds.
Activism and Racial Discrimination: Changing the Narrative in Poland
Sara has also been active in addressing racial discrimination, particularly in the context of Poland’s language and social attitudes. In 2020, following the global protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd, she and a group of mixed-race friends launched a campaign to challenge the use of derogatory terms in Polish that are similar in impact to the N-word in the United States.
The Campaign Against Harmful Language
The group, consisting of individuals of Angolan, Nigerian, and mixed Polish-African heritage, recorded conversations about how hurtful such words are and why they should be avoided. They wrote an official letter to the Council of Polish Language, advocating for the removal of offensive terms from public discourse and media.
While some resisted the change, viewing these words as harmless or traditional, the campaign succeeded in raising awareness and prompting younger generations to reconsider their use of such language. Sara acknowledges that there will always be people resistant to change, but the movement has already shifted the narrative in Poland toward greater respect and understanding.
Generational Shifts in Attitudes Toward Race
Sara observes that younger Poles tend to have a more open and accepting attitude toward people of color compared to older generations. Education and exposure to diverse cultures contribute to this positive change, which she believes will continue to evolve.
She stresses the importance of continued dialogue and activism to ensure that progress is sustained and that people of all backgrounds feel valued and respected in Polish society.
Looking Ahead: Aspirations and Cultural Connections
Despite her busy career and life, Sara remains deeply connected to her roots and family. She plans to return to Angola with her fiancé, a doctor who is eager to experience the country she has spoken about with such affection. Beyond Angola, they hope to explore other African countries together, enriching their understanding of the continent’s diverse cultures.
Sara is also interested in learning Portuguese to deepen her connection with her Angolan heritage. Currently, she is focusing on Spanish, which she finds easier, but Portuguese remains a goal for the future.
Her travels and work have taken her across Europe, South Africa, and the United States, offering her a global perspective that enriches both her professional and personal life.
Family and Identity in a Global Context
While Sara was raised primarily by her Polish family, the influence of her Angolan background has been a constant thread throughout her life. Her mother’s encouragement to embrace both cultures allowed her to grow up with a balanced view of her identity.
She highlights that being mixed-race is not just about skin color but encompasses values, traditions, and experiences from both sides. This holistic approach to identity has shaped her into the confident, multifaceted individual she is today.
Final Reflections: A Message of Pride and Resilience
Sara Alex’s story is a testament to the power of embracing one’s full identity, no matter how complex or challenging it may be. Her journey from a mixed-race child in a predominantly white Polish town to an international model and dentist is inspiring and instructive.
She exemplifies the strength found in diversity, the importance of cultural heritage, and the impact of standing up against discrimination. Sara’s life encourages others to celebrate their uniqueness and to pursue their dreams relentlessly, whether in creative fields like modeling or demanding professions like dentistry.
Her activism and openness also remind us that societal change is possible through education, dialogue, and courage. As attitudes toward race continue to evolve in Poland and beyond, Sara remains a hopeful voice for future generations.
In embracing her dual identity as Angolan and Polish, Sara Alex invites us all to reflect on our own identities and the richness that comes from honoring every part of who we are.
This article was created from the video Overtop podcast #03 – Sara Alex / I fully embrace my dual identity as Angolan and Polish