ABOUT ME
Tai Shaw
Refugee & Community Leader | Entrepreneur | Father | Innovator | Public Speaker
Tai Ngo Shaw came to the United States in 1982 at age 10. He left Vietnam for Thailand on May 31, 1981, but his departure was not planned and the boat was not strong. That day he grabbed a chance at an uncertain future, and reached out for an American dream that came true. He lives in Upstate New York, where he has raised two children and created a successful business selling uniforms and accessories for medical and culinary professionals. Tai is known for his generosity and his leadership in the refugee community in Syracuse.
Tai’s early life in a South Vietnamese village was a constant struggle. He was born near the beginning of the Vietnam War - the second oldest male of 6 children. For the first 7 years of his life, his father hid in the jungle with other men to avoid military conscription. He was initially raised by his grandparents in the village of Rach Soi, located at the mouth of the Mekong River in a strategic location near the Cambodian border. His early memories were sounds of thunder and damage from constant bombing and warfare that affected the region due to the presence of a nearby U.S. military base.
After the war ended in 1975, his life was dominated by fear because of the arbitrary and brutal way the North Vietnamese governed. However, Tai held onto an early dream of “going to American to lead a better life.” One day Tai found his Aunt about to leave Vietnam on a small boat with 10 other people he didn’t know. He ran home to say a quick goodbye to his mother. He managed to avoid his abusive Father. He got back in time to join his Aunt, but the boat was not strong enough to manage 5 days of rough seas. Pirates boarded and took their food, fuel and the boat’s engines, leaving them adrift. Another boat tried to tow them, but the stress damaged the hull. They managed to transfer onto the other boat, but then Tai witnessed brutal assaults on the women, including his Aunt and her friend.
The group reached the coast of Thailand on June 5, 1981, and after struggling to reach land they were placed in a small camp where they slept next to sheep and goats. Tai worked for nearby cashew farmers, bringing the sour fruits home to eat with fellow refugees. They were transferred to a massive refugee camp 30 days later, where at first they slept on the beach on cardboard boxes and collected shellfish for food. Then they were then allowed to stay in a tent and were given access to food. After Tai’s aunt was transferred to another camp without him, Tai was placed in a camp for unclaimed children. On January 21, 1982 he was sent to the U.S. where a remarkable Buffalo family adopted him. Joseph and Diane Shaw became his American parents. Tom and Lisa became his new brother and sister.
When Tai arrived in the United States, he spoke no English and his American family spoke no Vietnamese. Tai worked hard to learn English, with the help of a dual language dictionary, a part time tutor, and children’s television programs. He was soon able to enter 5th grade and learned quickly, soaking up new knowledge. He began to excel in school, and became active in athletics and other extracurricular activities. He received several honors and recognition awards In high school. Tai then went to college, first at SUNY Alfred where he started to study architecture, and then earned an Associate Degree in Human Services. He took every opportunity to join any organization he could in order to learn “everything.” This extremely high level of activity and constant intellectual engagement has been a hallmark of his adult life. He transferred from SUNY to Alfred University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Business, and worked part time as an activity director for a halfway house. Upon graduation, he was again recognized for his scholarship, service and leadership.
After college, Tai wanted to explore the U.S., so he travelled the country selling jewelry and other goods made by Native Americans. Three years later he returned to Upstate New York to launch a related brick and mortar retail business in Syracuse focused on goods from the Southwest. He also married and had two children – Alec and Sydney. In 1999, Tai got his NY State real estate license, and became a “Top Producer” for Remax. He established a specialty in “assisting people who have moved from other lands.” Within 2 years he was also purchasing, renovating and renting properties in Syracuse. He continues that business today as Kokopelli Rental Services.
In 2010 Tai went back into retail by taking over a business which sells, prints and embroiders apparel for medical professionals. Today CNY Uniforms Plus a very successful business. Tai moved the store from Erie Blvd to Burnet Ave in early 2020, right before the COVID restrictions hit. He pivoted and began to employ local refugees to manufacture fabric masks which he sold from his store. While other businesses were closing, Tai invested in new machinery and significantly increased his capacity to produce and cell custom printed garments and promotional items, something which had been a key goal in his decision to move to the new location. Tai also has a second business called “Green Photo Fun” in which he travels regionally to provide green screen photography at events.
Tai has applied his boundless energy and lifelong commitment to service within the Vietnamese Community and in the community at large. He assisted the Vietnamese Community of Syracuse in formalizing its community association, provided financial assistance to establish their headquarters on the North Side of Syracuse, was involved in the creation of the Vietnamese and Franciscan Freedom Garden on the North Side of Syracuse. In 2018 he returned to the Vietnamese community association and was elected as their president. Under his leadership, they have held several Vietnamese New Year celebrations at the Regional Market that have drawn as many as 1500 people from across the community. As a board member of the New American Forum (NAF) he was instrumental in establishing the organization as a a501 C-4 non-profit organization, and has led NAF events, including “Meet the Candidates” events at the North Side Learning Center. Tai has also served as the Chair of several vibrant World Refugee Day events organized by this active coalition of Refugee Community leaders. Since 2020 he has led the CNY Blessing Box, which currently operates a weekly food pantry that focuses on the needs of local refugees. Housed in a space adjacent to his store, Tai and valued volunteers currently feed 15-25 households each week. Regular recipients are originally from Burma, Bhutan, Iraq and Vietnam, but he is preparing the Blessing Box to assist the many new refugees that are expected to arrive in Syracuse in the fall. In Spring 2020, Tai also helped to organize the first forum highlighting the cultures and experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders AAPI in Syracuse.
Tai has also served on non-profit boards in the larger community. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for United Way of Central New York and the Upstate Minority Economic Alliance (UMEA). He also serves on the Advisory Board for Molina Health Career, and is a member of Masonic Temple Lodge 501 and the Shriners of CNY. Tai has also worked as a professional interpreter, an actor and clothing model.
Tai Shaw is now in his 50’s. He continues to give his all at everything he does. He can be described as inherently passionate, curious, engaged, creative, upbeat and always energized. He enjoys having an impact and making a contribution. He is always thinking beyond the box, and is rarely dissuaded by a potential for failure. He knows that success is something that you make for yourself, and for your community. He puts the following statement on his documents and appointment books, which says it all: “The difference between success and failure is the six inches between your ears.“ Tai Shaw continues to move forward and give back, moving at a pace that few people could match.
Tai Shaw is available for public speaking engagements and can speak about his experiences as a Vietnamese refugee seeking the American dream his transformation from a new-comer to an entrepreneur and business owner the secrets of his success in business his insights into effective community leadership the challenges faced by refugees living and working in the U.S. the importance of cultural competence in business & human services.