Both/And: Belonging, Identity, and the Bridge-Building Superpower with Annemarie Shrouder

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this rich and candid episode of Our True Colors, Shawna is joined by Rachel, returning co-host and fellow deep thinker and wonderful guest Annemarie Shrouder, international speaker, facilitator, and bestselling author of Being Brown in a Black and White World.Together, they explore what it means to hold a “both/and” identity—especially as mixed-race or multiracial individuals navigating a world obsessed with binaries. Annemarie shares the powerful story behind her personal “aha” moment, the birth of the both/and framework, and the bridge-building superpower that comes with embracing complexity. They also talk about parenting multiracial children, code-switching across cultures, internalized shame, and the liberating work of self-acceptance.We laugh, reflect, and get real about everything from childhood perms to generational healing, from the politics of hair to the power of poetry—and yes, even resting as resistance.Topics include:The emotional journey of embracing multiracial identityBoth/and as a tool for belonging and bridge-buildingRaising confident, culturally rooted childrenWhat happens when whiteness is the assumed defaultWhy identity is a lifelong journey, not a one-time decisionMentioned in this episode:Imagined Communities:Reflections on the Origin and Spread of NationalismSPECIAL EPISODE: The Little Mermaid of ColorWhen Black Girls Watch “Wicked,” It Hits DifferentlyWicked’s Elphaba Has Always Been Black. Cynthia Erivo’s Stunning Performance Cements ItJK Rowling tells of anger at attacks on casting of black HermioneWho is Black?‘One-drop rule’ persistsThe Hummingbird Parable: What We Can Do For EarthIf this is your first time with OTC, check out  EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram!Our True Colors is powered by The Culture Crucible. Go to THE HUB to learn more!Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!