Our True Colors: Mixed Race Voices and Other Stories of Belonging

MESSAGE ME HERE!Five years after his first appearance on the show, Joshua Grant returns for a deeply layered conversation with Dr. Shawna Gann about transitional justice, systemic inequity, activism, media manipulation, and what it means to be human in a time of fractured realities. Together, they unpack how movements born in moments of collective trauma continue shaping communities today, from Minneapolis organizing efforts after George Floyd’s murder to ongoing conversations around race, privilege, identity, and institutional power.Joshua reflects on his experiences studying law and navigating spaces where justice and politics collide, while Dr. Shawna Gann challenges listeners to think critically about propaganda, accountability, and the choices people make in the information age. The episode also explores liminal identity, intersectionality, whiteness as a social construct, and how systems of power shape the stories we tell ourselves about fairness, equality, and belonging. This conversation is thoughtful, emotional, intellectually rigorous, and deeply human.Listeners will hear discussions about:Transitional justice and reconciliationRace and systemic inequity in AmericaMedia algorithms and political polarizationActivism and community care in MinneapolisIntersectionality and liminal identityThe difference between equity and equalityThe role of honesty in social changeIf this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who values courageous conversation and thoughtful dialogue. Subscribe, leave a review, and continue the conversation with us online.If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!What does it mean to live in between?In this episode of Our True Colors, Dr. Shawna Gann sits down with scholar and thought leader Dr. Marc Johnston-Guerrero for a powerful conversation about liminal identity, multiracial experiences, and the systems that shape how we are seen and understood. From his personal journey navigating identity through something as intimate as his name, to his groundbreaking work defining monoracism, Marc offers language and insight for experiences many people have felt but struggled to name.Together, they explore how identity is shaped not just by who we are, but by the structures around us—from higher education to the workplace. Marc shares how his own experiences led him to study multiraciality, the importance of both specificity and shared experience in research, and why building community often happens later in life or outside traditional spaces. The conversation also dives into leadership, highlighting how navigating complex identities can influence empathy, perspective-taking, and the way we show up in the world.This episode is a reminder that identity doesn’t have to fit neatly into predefined boxes—and that there is real power in embracing complexity, creating space, and building community where it doesn’t yet exist. Connect and Learn More: Learn more about the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association  Listen to the episode about the CMRSA Conference  Learn more about Dr. Shawna Gann’s work and sign up for updates on her upcoming book Mixed Signals: If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who might need it—and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show.If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!What if something as simple as vitamin D could unlock deeper conversations about health equity, research gaps, and advocacy? In this powerful episode, Dr. Shawna Gann and Season 6 cohost, Marcel DeJonghe, are joined by Lauryn Walker, a patient recruitment associate in clinical research, who is passionate about translating science into real world impact. Together, they explore the link between vitamin D deficiency and racial health disparities, including the disproportionate prevalence of fibroids in Black women and the gaps that still exist in research for mixed heritage populations.Lauryn shares how her academic journey led her to uncover critical insights about vitamin D and fibroids, and why awareness is still so limited even within medical spaces. The conversation expands into real lived experiences, from being dismissed in healthcare settings to the importance of self advocacy, representation, and rebuilding trust. This episode is both eye opening and empowering, offering practical ways to advocate for your health, ask better questions, and support the people in your life.Lauryn Walker is a patient recruitment associate working in clinical research with a background in medical physiology. She is deeply committed to educating her community about vitamin D deficiency and its broader health implications, while promoting more inclusive and representative research practices.Connect with Lauryn:Instagram: @thesunnyvitaminIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!What does it really mean to belong when your identity doesn’t fit neatly into one box?In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Dr. Shawna Gann and cohost, Marcel DeJonghe, chat with somatic psychotherapist, coach, and educator Raina LaGrand to explore the layered realities of mixed race identity. Together, they unpack the tension between fitting in and truly belonging, the emotional weight of code switching, and the complexity of navigating spaces that were never designed with multiracial people in mind. Raina shares her personal journey, including unexpected discoveries about her ancestry, and how those moments reshaped her understanding of identity, healing, and wholeness.The conversation also dives into what Raina calls the “mixed race belonging wound” and how it shows up in relationships, self-worth, and the ability to take up space. From racialized trauma and complex trauma to the surprising power of community and shared language, this episode is both validating and expansive. Whether you identify as mixed race or simply feel like you exist between worlds, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about identity, connection, and what it means to feel at home in yourself.About Raina LaGrand Raina LaGrand is a somatic psychotherapist, coach, and educator who supports mixed race adults in healing belonging wounds and reconnecting with their innate wholeness. She offers one-on-one and group programs worldwide and maintains a psychotherapy practice in Michigan, where she specializes in complex relational trauma, chronic pain, and racial identity. Raina lives in Ypsilanti, Michigan with her dog, Willa, and enjoys cooking with friends, reading books by women of color authors, and indulging in reality TV.Connect with Raina Instagram: @mixedracebelonging Podcast: Mixed Race Belonging PodcastWebsite: mixedracebelonging.com Therapy practice: roottorisesomatics.comIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!Content note: This episode includes strong language and explores childhood abuse, sexual abuse, and the lasting impact of trauma on identity and self worth.In this powerful and layered conversation, Dr. Shawna Gann and co-host, Marcel De Jonghe sit down with Tara Moore, intuitive coach, empath, energy healer, host of the Rooted & Rising podcast, and founder of Soul’d Spaces. Together, they explore what it means to deconstruct identity, release inherited stories, and rebuild from a place of deeper truth. Tara reflects on growing up mixed race, feeling caught between worlds, and spending years trying to become who others expected her to be before beginning the work of reclaiming her own voice, worth, and sense of self. This episode moves through race, belonging, trauma, motherhood, healing, and the tension between how the world sees us and how we learn to see ourselves.But the conversation does not stop there. In a deeply honest follow up, Shawna and Marcel revisit one of the episode’s central questions: what happens when personal agency meets structural harm? Tara then responds with a vulnerable reflection rooted in her own lived experience of abuse, survival, and the decision to stop cycles of harm in her lineage. What unfolds is not a neat conclusion, but an invitation to stay with complexity, hold multiple truths, and keep asking better questions. If this episode moves you, share it, subscribe, and send it to someone who values courageous conversations.If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this episode of Our True Colors, Dr. Shawna Gann sits down with returning guest Ashnie Butler for a rich conversation about identity, belonging, and the power of asking better questions. Together with Marcel De Jonghe, they explore what happens when curiosity crosses the line into assumption, why certain questions about race and ethnicity can feel intrusive, and how mindful inquiry can help us communicate with more care, honesty, and connection. Ashnie shares how her lived experience as an Indian Trinidadian woman has shaped the way she understands identity, marginalization, and the layered realities of fitting in and standing out.Drawing from her work as a certified professional diversity coach and creator of The Art of Mindful Inquiry, Ashnie offers a grounded framework for slowing down, noticing what is happening in the body, and asking questions from genuine curiosity instead of confirmation bias. This episode speaks directly to anyone navigating racial ambiguity, workplace tension, difficult conversations, or the everyday challenge of building authentic relationships across difference. One of the biggest takeaways is this: questions can either open a door or slam one shut. Mindful inquiry invites us to pause long enough to choose connection.If this conversation resonated with you, subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone who cares about identity, communication, and building deeper human connection.If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!Dr. Shawna Gann travels from Washington, DC to UCLA for the 2026 Critical Mixed Race Studies Association (CMRSA) Conference, themed Critical Healing. Before the first keynote, a grounding experience at the Fowler Museum’s Fire and Kinship exhibit reframes the weekend through an unexpected through line: fire as renewal, not destruction.Across two workshops (Resonant Voices and Fault Lines and Bridges) and hallway conversations with scholars, artists, organizers, and first-time attendees, Shawna explores how mixed race experiences illuminate both personal inheritance and institutional architecture. From stories of ancestry, assimilation, and microaggressions to insights on systems, belonging, and community as oxygen, this episode asks what it means to heal without denying heat, and to steward the burn instead of fearing it.In This Episode • Traveling to UCLA for CMRSA 2026 (Critical Healing) • Jackie Robinson’s legacy at UCLA and the pressure of integration • Fowler Museum: Fire and Kinship as a frame for healing and renewal • Resonant Voices: four interviews on lineage, identity, and lived experience • Fault Lines and Bridges: a World Café on conditional belonging and structural shifts • “Healing within inherited systems of power” and the turn toward institutions • Hallway energy: why CMRSA feels different, and why community matters • Closing reflections from LAX: carrying the fire without burning downFeatured Voices (as heard in this episode) • Hedy Tripp (Resonant Voices) • Galia Recinos (Resonant Voices) • Jessica LeCap (Resonant Voices) • Alicia del Prado (Resonant Voices) • Steve Castro (session excerpt) • Aeriel Ashlee (session excerpt) • Dakota Duffy (Mixed Alumni Association at UCLA) • Chandra Waring • Deja Goodwin • Wendy Ashley and Nolan Krueger • Jordan Adams • Joy DuVivreOrganizations and Places Mentioned • Critical Mixed Race Studies Association (CMRSA) • Fowler Museum at UCLA • Multiracial Americans of Southern California (MASC) • Resonant Voices &  Fault Lines and Bridges (True Culture Coaching & Consulting)If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!What would people assume about you if they could only hear your voice? In this expansive and thought provoking episode, Dr. Shawna Gann and Marcel sit down with global cultural commentator Joy DuVivre to explore identity across borders, histories and lived experience.Born in Romania to a Romanian Romani mother and an Angolan father, and raised primarily in Angola, Joy brings a deeply layered perspective shaped by colonial history, colorism, migration and disability. From the legacy of Romani enslavement in Europe to the impact of colonial borders in Africa, this conversation moves across continents while staying grounded in one powerful truth: identity is fluid, contextual and constantly evolving.Joy shares reflections on colorism using the framework coined by Alice Walker, the historical reality of Romani persecution including during the Holocaust, the parallels between Romani experiences in Europe and Black experiences in the United States, and what it means to become disabled after building a career rooted in physical expression. She also introduces her playful yet powerful identity markers like "West Coastian" and "Sunsetter", reminding us that belonging can be self-defined.In this episode, we explore:• How perception and voice shape racial assumptions• The global roots of colorism and colonial hierarchy• Romani history, enslavement and ongoing discrimination• Afro Romani communities in the American South• Assimilation, survival and generational silence• Disability as identity• Why mixedness is not a box but a lived experienceJoy mentions her excitement about attending the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association Conference taking place February 19 through 21 at UCLA in Los Angeles. Click here to learn more about the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association. Consider becoming a member!If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!Host Dr. Shawna Gann and co-host Marcel welcome their first guest of the season in this powerful conversation of Our True Colors.  They are joined by the founder of Lonewolf District Ali Blair Caplan, known as "AB". In this discussion, they explore what it means to live between identities and still claim a sense of belonging. AB shares her lived experience as a biracial Black and white woman adopted into an all-white family, and how that journey shaped her understanding of race, contentment, and self-trust.This episode moves through stories of being labeled, questioned, and reduced by others and how those moments can fracture identity or become catalysts for healing. AB reflects on the moment she realized society would always see her as non-white, regardless of proximity to whiteness, and how that reckoning led her toward spiritual practice, integrity, and creating spaces where people feel safe to be fully themselves. The conversation weaves together race, adoption, wellness, cultural responsibility, and energy work, offering grounding rather than escape. A central reminder echoes throughout. Love and good intentions are not always enough. Integrity, responsibility, and tending to ourselves matter if we want to stay human in uncertain times.More to Check Out:The Aimee Amour - Best Bar DJ in New York CityHow frogs went from right-wing meme to anti-ICE protest symbolTo explore Shawna’s work and sign up for updates about her upcoming book Mixed Signals, visit TrueCultureConsulting.com.If this episode resonated, subscribe to the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who might need it.If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!Season 6 is here—and we’re starting with a Meet the Co-Host episode. Shawna welcomes back Marcel De Jonghe (joining from Birmingham, UK) for a warm, funny, and deeply reflective conversation about what it means to live in complexity. Marcel shares why being mixed isn’t a neat “half-and-half” story. It’s more like ingredients baked into something entirely new. Together, Shawna and Marcel talk about how identity often gets filtered through other people’s assumptions, how microaggressions can feel “frosted” in the air, and why belonging can be hardest in that in-between, liminal space where you’re moving… but never quite “arrived.”Marcel also opens up about well-being and the importance of men speaking honestly about mental health—especially when pain can stay hidden for years until it demands to be addressed. He introduces the concept of sonder—the reminder that every person you pass is carrying a whole life of their own—and invites us to move through the world with more curiosity, care, and humanity. This season, Shawna and Marcel are leaning into honesty, nuance, and the courage to show up as our full selves—without shrinking into whatever version feels easiest for the room.Connect with Marcel:The Belonging Lab LinkedInIf this episode resonated, here’s your CTA:Share this episode with someone who’s ever felt “in-between.”Subscribe/follow Our True Colors so you don’t miss the conversations ahead.Leave a review—your support helps more listeners find the show.If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!Welcome to Our True Colors. This brief introduction gives you the full picture of what the show is about, who I am, and what you can expect in every season.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why I started this podcast and what “racial riddle, ethnic enigma, and cultural conundrum” really mean.How different co-hosts join me each season — and why that rotating perspective matters.The kinds of stories you’ll hear, from families, professionals, and my own lived experience.Why belonging is at the heart of every conversation.👉 Want to connect?Look for the link above to send me a direct message or let's connect online! You can find the links right here in the show notes.Welcome to the community!If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!If you’re new here, this short trailer will give you a taste of Our True Colors. You’ll hear how the show explores identity, belonging, and life in the in-between spaces.Subscribe now and then check out the full Start Here episode for a deeper dive into what we’re about.If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!For the first time, I’m joined by my full family—my husband Chad and our kids, Christian and Ariana—in a double-length finale to close out Season 5 of Our True Colors.We get into it all:Identity, hair, and insecuritiesWhat people assume about us as a coupleFamily culture, music, and travelHow our kids make sense of their biracial identityWhat it really means to belongIt’s funny, vulnerable, unscripted—and filled with moments we’ve never shared, even with each other.Let's stay in touch!Shawna on LinkedInTrue Culture on LinkedInThe Culture Clinic NewsletterTrue Culture Coaching and ConsultingOur True Colors on InstagramSeason 5 Episodes on YouTubeContact Me DirectlyStuff to Explore and Learn More About:Our True Colors "Start Here" episodeW.E.B. Du Bois & Double ConsciousnessJ.D. Vance...calls Kamala Harris a chameleonPrevious Episodes with Christian Gann/Aimee Amour:Intersecting Communities: BLM and PrideHey, Queen! Talking Racial Ambiguity with Christian Gann and Aimee AmourFollow Aimee Amour on Instagram and TikTokCheck out this special edition Culture Clinic featuring Christian and AimeeIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this rich and vulnerable episode, Dr. Shawna Gann welcomes Belgian-French author, historian, and researcher Victoria Kabeya to discuss the complexities of multigenerationally mixed identity. From the trauma of slavery to the politics of racial categorization, Victoria shares personal stories, global insights, and the intellectual foundations behind her groundbreaking books. Together, they explore what it means to be Multi-Generationally Mixed—not just biologically, but culturally, historically, and emotionally.Stuff to Check Out:Matriarch by Tina Knowles Mixing: A History of Anti-Miscegenation Laws in the U.S.Free People of Color in Colonial Louisiana BET: A ‘Love & Hip Hop’ Star’s Blackness Is Being QuestionedNPR: For Some People of Appalachia, Complicated RootsThe MelungeonsYouTube: Understanding the MelungeonsArab Center DC: The Colonial Legacy in the Arab WorldNPR Code Switch: Why Rachel Dolezal Can Never Be BlackHowStuffWorks: When Irish Immigrants Weren’t Considered WhiteYouTube: The Asian Man Who Wanted to be White If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!This week, Dr. Shawna Gann—joined by her co-host Kat—welcomes Dr. Geoffrey Greif and Victoria Stubbs, LCSW-C, for a thoughtful and timely conversation about interracial and interethnic relationships, raising mixed-race children, and navigating identity across lines of race, culture, and experience.The discussion is rooted in research and real-world insight from their forthcoming book When Family Relations Are Race Relations, and it touches on how societal events press into private life, how couples process racial identity differently, and how families work through tension, silence, and love in the face of cultural difference.The episode was inspired by a moment of curiosity: Special thanks to Neal Augenstein, reporter at WTOP, whose segment sparked this episode.And while Loving Day itself isn’t the focus of the conversation, the timing of this episode’s release—just ahead of June 12—makes it a powerful moment to reflect. In the intro, Dr. Gann shares a bit of history about the Loving v. Virginia decision, the legacy of Mildred and Richard Loving, and what “Virginia is for Lovers” means to her personally as someone in an interracial family.🔗 Resources & Mentions💛 Loving Day & Reflection“Remember. Reflect. Celebrate. Loving Day.” – Dr. Gann on LinkedInVirginia is for Lovers – About the slogan🎥 Pop Culture MentionsCheerios Ad Featuring a Mixed-Race Family (YouTube)Today Show Article – Cheerios Ad BacklashA Simple Favor – Film MentionedThe Wicked Wiz of Oz: The Rusical – RuPaul’s Drag Race (YouTube)If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this episode of Our True Colors, Shawna is joined by co-host Rachel Sadler and special guest Ian Gibbs-Hall—a DEI advocate, thought leader, and creator of Curiosity Architecture. With over a decade of experience creating inclusive environments, Ian offers a fresh framework that invites us to move beyond checkboxes and binaries and into deeper, more curious ways of seeing one another.Together, they explore identity, belonging, masculinity, and the limitations of social categories—highlighting how “other” doesn’t just mean different, but often means left out. From coloring books to Frozen 2, neoliberalism to Mr. Clean, this conversation is as layered as it is enlightening.And yes—you’ll want to check out the video version for the moment Ian reacts to Shawna revealing she used to work at Blockbuster Video.✉️ Want to submit a question for the final episode? Use the message feature above to send a text.📚 Referenced Resources & LinksThe Ethics of Identity by Kwame Anthony Appiah: Buy the book | Watch a video about his workCommentary on the Mr. Clean Commercial (yes, that one): Watch it hereWhat’s a “Soy Boy” anyway? Read more on the term and its cultural baggage🎧 Related OTC EpisodesCJ Gross on Navigating Identity & NuanceLondell Jackson on Masculinity & BelongingIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this powerful episode of Our True Colors, Dr. Shawna Gann is joined by Cindy Ogasawara and Kara De Maine, leaders in the Resounding Love Interfaith Gospel Choir—a multiracial, interfaith, LGBTQ+ embracing choir grounded in African American musical traditions and active anti-racism practice.Together, they explore:The complexities of racial identity, especially for those with mixed or ambiguous backgroundsWhat it means to be part of a community that doesn’t just sing together—but heals togetherHow they’ve created a choir that holds joy and accountability side by sideThe connection between leadership, cultural humility, and inclusionYou’ll also hear how Resounding Love continues to hold space for marginalized voices in a time when Pride celebrations are shrinking and DEI efforts are under attack.🎶 All of the music featured in this episode is performed by Resounding Love Interfaith Gospel Choir.More Stuff to Check Out:These Words are Disappearing in the New Trump AdministrationFrom Free Speech to Fear Speech: When Language Becomes a LiabilitySinners (2025) – A dramatic film that weaves blues and gospel influences into a story of justice, family, and faith.Resounding Love Songs Featured in this Episode:Spiritual MedleyWaymakerIt is WellWonderful Is Your NameHow ExcellentIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this episode of Our True Colors, Dr. Shawna Gann is joined by Hallie Pritchett — a public health leader, facilitator, and equity strategist — for a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation about identity, belonging, and the challenges of showing up fully at work. Hallie reflects on growing up mixed-race in the Pacific Northwest, parenting a child who's already navigating complex identity questions, and how her lived experience has shaped her approach to leadership and equity in health systems.Together, Shawna and Hallie explore:The social landscape of race in the Pacific NorthwestRaising children who present racially differently from their parentsBridging across difference in mission-driven workspacesHow assumptions about identity can lead to workplace misstepsWhat it takes to create truly inclusive and psychologically safe environmentsThe emotional complexity of DEI fatigue and boundary-settingAdult learning theory, code-switching, and why language still mattersResources & Mentions:Jodi-Ann Burey & Ruchika Tulshyan’s article: Stop Telling Black Women They Have Imposter Syndrome (HBR)The 5 S's of Engagement: Navigating Your Path Through AllyshipFollow Hallie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hallie-pritchett/More from Shawna:Visit: https://www.truecultureconsulting.comFollow Our True Colors on InstagramSubscribe to The Culture Clinic via True Culture Coaching & Consulting on LinkedInIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this episode, Shawna sits down with Londell Jackson—educator, strategist, and author of Between the Opposites—for a powerful conversation about the complexities of identity. From growing up mixed-race in Denver to navigating masculinity as a same-gender-loving Black and Latino man, Londell shares his deeply personal journey of self-discovery, cultural belonging, and emotional growth. Together, they explore themes like authenticity, inherited narratives, and the courage it takes to confront our “shadow self.”Topics Covered:Growing up multiracial and feeling “not enough” for any one groupRedefining masculinity beyond social expectationsWhy curiosity, empathy, and vulnerability are keys to connectionThe lenses we inherit vs. the ones we chooseHow identity journeys evolve across our lifetimeResources Mentioned:Between the Opposites by Londell JacksonCarl Jung’s concept of the Shadow Self NeverEnding Story: Atreyu’s Mirror SceneIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this powerful conversation, Dr. Kalya Castillo—a Black and Japanese psychologist and trauma-informed therapist—joins Shawna to explore identity, racial ambiguity, and the lived experiences of multiracial individuals. Together, they unpack what it means to grow up without cultural mirrors, the coded messages around hair and professionalism, and how mixed-race identity can shape the way we’re seen, valued, and understood.Kalya shares insights from her research on the hypersexualization of Black and Asian women, and how these dynamics often show up in the workplace and therapeutic settings. She also offers a deeply personal reflection on motherhood, internalized bias, and the work of helping others navigate the in-between spaces of identity with compassion and clarity.Stuff to check out from mentions in the episode:"How Are You?" A Question of Depth and TrustThe Tahitian woman behind Paul Gauguin's paintingsSheaMoisture - Break The WallsThe Pain We Carry by Natalie Y. GutiérrezWhat Is Trauma-Informed Therapy?Whites Distrust Biracial People When Their Racial Presentation VariesYou're called a 'model minority' as an Asian American — until they decide you aren'tIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this episode, Dr. Shawna Gann and Rachel Sadler sit down with Urmi Hossain—polyglot, author, global citizen, and financial services professional—for a deep conversation about identity, cultural complexity, and belonging. Urmi, who describes herself as "Bengali by blood, Italian by birth, and Canadian by law", shares her experiences as a third culture person navigating family expectations, global transitions, and what it means to truly belong.The three discuss the nuanced layers of culture, race, and language—what it’s like to be misunderstood or misidentified, how appearances influence assumptions, and why storytelling matters. Urmi also shares insights from her book Discovering Your Identity: Rebirth from Interracial Struggle, a memoir chronicling her personal and cultural evolution as a South Asian woman raised in Italy.If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!What does it mean to be a leader when traditional leadership models weren’t designed with you in mind? In this episode of Our True Colors, we sit down with Dr. Jenny Vazquez-Newsum, an educator, leadership expert, and founder of Untapped Leaders, to explore how identity shapes leadership.Dr. Vazquez-Newsum shares her journey navigating leadership as a biracial woman, why mainstream leadership theories often exclude marginalized voices, and how we can redefine leadership in a way that’s authentic and inclusive. We talk about unlearning outdated models, embracing the power of lived experiences, and tapping into the unique perspectives that diverse leaders bring to the table.Join us for a deep and thought-provoking conversation on how we can expand what it means to lead—and why embracing untapped leadership is the key to changing the workplace and beyond.🔗 Connect with Dr. Jenny-Vazquez-Newsum:Website: untappleaders.comInstagram: @untappleadersLinkedIn: Jenny Vazquez-NewsumIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!What does it mean to navigate the world as a mixed heritage individual when belonging feels just out of reach? In this episode, Shawna and co-host Kat Aragon welcome Marcel De Jonghe, Head of DEI&B for Europe’s largest local authority, to explore identity, belonging, and the intersections of race and culture. Marcel shares his personal journey as a Zimbabwean-Belgian navigating life in the UK, the challenges of being "not quite Black enough" and "not quite White enough," and how his work in equity and inclusion is shaping a more thoughtful, empathetic world. The conversation covers microaggressions, the power of "sensitive curiosity", and how we can all work toward fostering true belonging—at work, at home, and in our communities. Tune in for an insightful and heartfelt discussion about identity, advocacy, and breaking down barriers.Watch the episode on YouTube!Stuff to check out from mentions in the episode:What’s the difference between “Inuit” and “Eskimo”?What's in a Name? The Meaning of "La Raza"The changing categories the U.S. census has used to measure race1930 Census Instructions to Enumerators"Instructions to Enumerators" [ORIGINAL]Who’s White? Who’s Black? Who Knows?John Agard reads his poem, Half-Caste and Half-Caste (John Agard)If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Victoria K. Malaney-Brown, a scholar-practitioner at Columbia University and the first-ever Director of Academic Integrity for undergraduates at Columbia College and Columbia Engineering, joins us to explore the nuanced realities of multiracial identity. From her deeply personal poem "Outside of the Box" to her groundbreaking research on multiracial college students, Dr. Malaney-Brown sheds light on the complexities of navigating identity, privilege, and belonging. We dive into monoracism, critical consciousness, and the importance of creating spaces where mixed-race individuals feel seen and heard. Whether you're mixed-race, a parent, an ally, or someone looking to expand their understanding, this conversation offers valuable insights and inspiration.You can find Dr. Malaney-Brown on LinkedIn and on Instagram.Here's some more stuff to check out:Multiracial Experiences in Higher Education: Contesting Knowledge, Honoring Voice, and Innovating PracticePreparing for Higher Education’s Mixed Race Future: Why Multiraciality MattersRacial Identity and Census CategoriesWhat is Critical Consciousness?American College Personnel AssociationCritical Mixed Race Studies Association (Learn about the membership here!)Multiracial and Transracial Adoptee Network (MTAN)National Conference on Race and EthnicityIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this episode, Shawna Gann is joined by graduate student Brieanna Hairston cohost Rachel Sadler. Together, they explore the complexities of racial identity, inclusion, and belonging through the lens of multiracial and racially ambiguous individuals.Brieanna shares personal experiences growing up in a predominantly White area, navigating racial microaggressions from an early age, and finding her place in diverse academic and professional settings. Rachel reflects on the intersection of race, culture, and societal expectations, providing a candid perspective on navigating life as a biracial Black woman. The conversation touches on the effects of colorism, cultural stereotypes, and fetishization, while highlighting the importance of representation and the evolving understanding of multiracial identities. The group also discusses the role of community, historical contexts like Sundown Towns, and the need for equity-driven progress in the workplace and beyond.Tune in for a powerful dialogue about embracing authenticity, breaking stereotypes, and creating inclusive spaces in both personal and professional spheres. You can also watch the episode on YouTube!Stuff to Check Out:Sundown TownsSundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American RacismHistorical Database of Sundown TownsThe ‘Black Wife Effect’If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this thought-provoking episode, Shawna sits down with Dr. Jenn Noble, psychologist, educator, and advocate for mixed-race families, to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities in parenting mixed-race children. Together, they explore:The nuances of mixed-race identity and how it shapes a child’s experience.Why starting conversations about race with children isn’t as daunting as it seems.How parents’ own experiences can influence their approach to raising mixed-race kids.Practical strategies to help children embrace their full identity while navigating societal complexities.Dr. Jenn shares powerful insights on meeting children where they are, supporting their growth, and how race and identity education can start with simple, age-appropriate concepts like melanin. This episode is packed with actionable advice for parents and thought-provoking stories for listeners of all backgrounds.You can also watch the episode on YouTube!Follow Dr. Jenn on Instagram: @drjennpsych and learn more about her work at Free to Be Collective.Stuff to check out from mentions in the episode:Unwrapping the Gift of Dialogue: Race Talk with Meredith and CindyRedress and Reparations for Japanese American IncarcerationApologizing for the enslavement and racial segregation of African-AmericansIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this deeply reflective episode of Our True Colors, Shawna and guest Shari Baker dive into the emotional aftermath of the recent presidential election. Together, they unpack the complexities of identity, solidarity, and the nuances of navigating blackness in America. From the broader societal implications of the election to the personal journeys of mixed-race identity, Shawna and Shari offer a thought-provoking and heartfelt conversation about resilience, collective grief, and the power of community. Tune in to explore how we can heal, learn, and move forward—together.Guest Shari Baker, DEIJ strategist and co-founder of The Wells Collective, shares her insights on black identity, coalition-building, and fostering equity in challenging times.You can also watch the episode on YouTube!Stuff to check out from mentions in the episode:Kamala Harris’ racial and cultural background at the conventionWhy the term “BIPOC” is so complicated, explained by linguistsIs It Time To Say R.I.P. To 'POC'?BAME We're Not the SameFor Black women, Harris’s loss creates new woundThe Blue Bracelet Movement, ExplainedA Look at Racial IncongruenceRacist text messages sent to Black recipients, including childrenPost Traumatic Slave SyndromeIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!SummaryIn this engaging conversation, Shawna, Rachel, and Kat introduce Hady Mendez, a DEI expert, who shares her journey and insights on employee resource groups, cultural wisdom, and the challenges of navigating racial identity. The discussion highlights the need for allyship, the evolving understanding of racial categories, and the significance of joy and community support in personal and professional growth.You can also watch the episode on YouTube!TakeawaysMixed race identity is complex and varies greatly among individuals.Self-advocacy is crucial for underrepresented groups in the workplace.Cultural idioms can provide valuable life lessons and wisdom.The importance of employee resource groups in fostering community and support.Allyship is essential for creating inclusive environments.Racial categories in forms often fail to capture the diversity of identities.Colorism exists within the Latino community and affects perceptions of privilege.Personal narratives and experiences shape our understanding of identity.Joy and positivity can be powerful tools for personal growth.Community connections can provide validation and support in shared experiences.Stuff to check out from mentions in the episode:Planning for the 2030 Census is UnderwayComing to Our Census: Are the Race and Ethnicity Questions Needed?How the Census Bureau Stood Up to Donald Trump’s MeddlingWhy the 2030 census will likely show a drop in 'white' AmericansWho The Census MissesChapter 1: Race and Multiracial Americans in the U.S. Census (Census taker decided race)The changing categories the U.S. census has used to measure raceIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this insightful episode, Dr. Shawna Gann sits down with DEI experts Lauren Dike and Katrina Liew Wilson for a candid discussion on the shifting landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The conversation explores the evolving role of DEI in the workplace, the pressures of being a "talking head" in the field, and the challenges of racial and cultural identity. Lauren and Katrina share their personal journeys navigating mixed-race backgrounds, dealing with imposter syndrome, and embracing authenticity while leading change. They also address the complexity of DEI rebranding, the struggle for collective healing, and the nuanced experiences of being Black and multiracial in America.Tune in to hear about the intersection of wellness, inclusion, and belonging, as well as the power of redefining what it means to "fit in" versus truly belonging. The episode concludes with thoughts on Kamala Harris's potential presidency, and the ongoing need for hope and active participation in shaping a more inclusive future.This episode offers a refreshing take on DEI that challenges common assumptions and invites listeners to rethink how we approach identity and equity in today's society.You can also watch the episode on YouTube!Extra Stuff to Check Out:Kamala Harris on The Breakfast Club (2019)Tema Okun on Her Mythical Paper on White SupremacyWhite Supremacy Culture – Still Here...A Short History of the Original Article If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this episode, Shawna Gann and Rachel Sadler engage with author Christopher "CJ" Gross, an expert in cultural transformation, to discuss the concepts in his book, What's Your Zip Code Story? Together the group discusses implications on personal and professional experiences. They explore how one's background and community can shape perceptions, opportunities, and biases in the workplace. The discussion emphasizes the importance of mentorship, understanding class migration, and the need for a supportive culture that fosters growth and inclusivity, including expanding your zip code story through meeting new people, going to different places, and trying new things. Throughout the conversation, they highlight the significance of being aware of biases and the necessity of creating psychological safety in mentorship relationships.You can also watch the episode on YouTube.Stuff mentioned in the episode that you should check out:The Financial Perks of Being TallStereotype ThreatHalf of U.S. states have passed the CROWN Act to ban hair discriminationIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this episode, Shawna Gann introduces co-host Rachel Sadler, and together they explore the complexities of racial identity, particularly focusing on the experiences of biracial individuals. They discuss the fluidity of identity, the impact of family dynamics on self-identification, and the societal constructs surrounding race and gender. The conversation also gets into the privileges associated with racial ambiguity, the challenges faced in workplace settings, and the increasing recognition of multiracial identities in America. Ultimately, they emphasize the importance of community and the need for critical discussions about identity and privilege.    Rachel Sadler is an empowerment coach and founder of Rae of Light Coaching, specializing in helping women unlock their potential and navigate personal and professional challenges. With a strong background in DEI facilitation, anti-racism education, and cultural competency training, Rachel is dedicated to advancing social justice and equity.   You can also watch the episode on YouTube!Other stuff to check out:The Infuriating Journey From Pet To Threat: How Bias Undermines Black Women At WorkThe Persistence Of Pet To ThreatThe US will become ‘minority white’ in 2045, Census projectsThe Myth of a Majority-Minority AmericaGOP Rep. Burchett calls Kamala Harris a "DEI hire"What Might It Mean When Critics Call Someone A DEI Hire?Vice President Kamala Harris Is Anything But a DEI HireHow Italians Became ‘White’ "[Trump] is the Avatar for their Grievance"If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this episode, Shawna Gann introduces the new season of the podcast with one of her two co-hosts, Kat Aragon. They discuss their cultural backgrounds, the importance of representation in the beauty industry, and the need for advocacy and allyship. Kat shares her experiences as a makeup artist and the challenges faced in ensuring diversity in beauty products. The conversation emphasizes the significance of taking action in allyship and the importance of creating spaces for underrepresented voices.You can also watch the episode on YouTube!Other stuff to check out:Vintage Bandaid CommercialBrowndages This Is the Worst Way to Make an Inclusive Foundation ShadeThis brand made a BLACK Foundation!?The 5 S's of Engagement: Navigating Your Path Through AllyshipIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!Join the cohosts and me as we reflect on this journey and enjoy the sampler platter we've prepared for you as we talk about the themes we explored, lessons learned, and incredible growth over the years during what we thought would be the last episode.But it's not!OTC is coming back for a 5th season, Fall 2024. Stay tuned! About This Episode:Part 1: The Mixed Tape with JasonSeason 2: I'm Gumbo, Baby! Season 2: What's in a Name? Part 2: The Mixed Tape with Shannon, Carmen, and YolandieSeason 4: Kickin it with Karlton HoskinsSeason 1: Coming to Our CensusSeason 3: Good Vibes Family ReunionSeason 3: Sticks and StonesSeason 1: Growing Up Ambiguously Across the GenerationsSeason 3: Unwrapping the Gift of DialogueSeason 3: A Mother's LoveSeason 1: Talking H & M: Race and RoyaltyOther Stuff:Animated map shows the evolution of American accentsNPR Code Switch: Talk AmericanCaste: The Origins of Our DiscontentsIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!This week I am joined  by Joquina M. Reed, my colleague and dear friend. She is the founding steward of J Reed Consulting LLC. She is also the curator behind the Please Say Black podcast as well as the Divesting from Whiteness Podcast. Kina is deeply committed to global reparations for chattel enslavement and creating shared humanity.  In this episode we explore new perspectives on belonging and how learning more about our identities can provide a welcome anchor to our personal narratives. If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!Yay! Yolandie is back after taking a few months to be with her little one (if you listen carefully, you'll hear a little bit from her, too! 👶). In this episode, Yolandie (and sometimes Olivia) tells us about a play she is working on and the complexities of identity and stereotypes. This all made me very curious and, despite my congestion (sorry, y'all - guess I was keepin' it real), I had lots of questions for her about her experiences and the premise of the play.ReferencesMeet Yolandie! Season 4 CohostWill Smith in EmancipationWill Smith Has A Candid Answer After Getting Asked Why He Wanted To Make A Movie About SlaveryWill Smith Explains Why He Avoided Making Movies About Slavery: 'I Wanted to Be a Superhero'SPECIAL EPISODE: The Little Mermaid of ColorThe racist backlash to The Little Mermaid and Lord of The Rings is exhausting and extremely predictableIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!Prepare to be inspired! On this episode of OTC, I am talking with Dija Henry. Together we discuss her work in film and how the work supports the empowerment of authenticity all the way from the people contributing to the film to those viewing it. We go on to discuss the nuances of having a multicultural family and the connections that younger generations are making cross-culturally – a notion that is good for all of us to practice, including one's sense of belonging, particularly when you are racially ambiguous. We also talked about art being central to our lives, and there's a little bit of 80's and 90's nostalgia sprinkled in, too!Dija is a multi-award winning actress, filmmaker and CEO and founder of Blue House Entertainment, which is a social impact entertainment company dedicated to telling diverse stories that facilitate heart changing conversation to elevate our culture to a more equitable, inclusive and empathetic society. She also works to coach individuals who are working on their first film. In her free time, Dija likes to read, travel, watch movies with her family and have meaningful conversations with others. She's very grateful she has been able to take her family to two of their three countries of origin. India is next on the list!References and ResourcesBelonging: A Culture of PlaceDija on InstagramCheck out The Blue House on Instagram, too!If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!On this episode of Our True Colors, I had the opportunity to spend time with Velda Thomas - sharing our thoughts on identity, growth, and belonging.Velda Thomas is the author of Blended: Perspectives on Belonging. She was born and educated in England, UK with family ancestry from Africa, the Caribbean, and the America's. Healing modalities have always been of interest to Velda. She has a love of plants and herbal remedies. For Velda, somatic and ritual experiences weave passion with grounded human experience for creativity and freedom of expression.Velda has worked as a kindergarten teacher, adult educator, birth doula, massage therapist, sound practitioner and writer. She is a horsewoman, nature lover, mover of the body and world traveler. Velda is currently living in Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula in the USA.Together, Velda and I talk about belonging to oneself and her sense of vibrational alignment with nature.Resources and ReferencesMusicians are Hooking Up Synthesizers to Plants for New Sonic PossibilitiesConnect Your Plant To A Moog Synth With MIDI SproutThe Woman King (2022)Whites Distrust Biracial People When Their Racial Presentation Varies, Rutgers Study FindsAsian Americans are Skeptical of Biracial People’s Racial Loyalties (Note: Jacqueline Chen is a former Our True Colors Guest. Check out her episode here.)If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!What a fantastic episode I have for you this week! I am joined by Joe Huang-Racalto, a Civil Rights lobbyist, who works for organizations that defend people who are enslaved in labor and sex trafficking, abused children, minorities living with HIV/AIDS, and humane animal welfare.  He retired from Capitol Hill on June 1, 2017 as Chief of Staff.  During his Congressional career, he focused on civil rights for women and LGBT Americans.  He successfully led efforts to enact the Matthew Shepherd and James D. Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA), and the reversal of Don't Ask Don't Tell.  Additionally, he worked with his colleagues to successfully block cuts to Title IX.  ***Warning***This episode includes sensitive discussions of topics, such as suicide and other topics, which may be difficult for some listeners.References and Resources:Barney FrankWho is protected from employment discrimination?GOP lawmakers push historic wave of bills targeting rights of LGBTQ teens, children and their familiesJustice Thomas urges U.S. Supreme Court to feel free to reverse precedentsSupreme Court Dobbs DecisionChild Welfare League of AmericaWhat is Kinship Care?The (Only) 5 Fears We All ShareIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!Rach Kass is a Nursing Station Technician (NST), life coach, and podcast host and joins us for this episode to talk about her experiences as the White mother of her five biracial children. Also joining us as a guest host, while Yolandie takes some time with her new little one, is Sarah Bacerra - a two-time former guest on OTC. Rachel and her husband, Chris, also host and produce Infusion Health Podcast.In this episode, she talks with us about being a White mom to biracial children and what that means for their family. ***Warning*** This episode includes sensitive discussions of topics, such as suicide, abuse, violence, and overt racism, that may be difficult for some listeners.Sarah Bacerra Episodes:Growing Up AmbiguouslyProcessing COVID-19: A MinisodeReferences and Resources:History made: Bruce’s Beach has been returned to descendants of Black familyWhite Kids: Growing Up with Privilege in a Racially Divided AmericaHow The Adultification Bias Contributes To Black TraumaImpression Management and Self Presentation (Goffman)If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this very special episode, I have a one-to-one real-talk session with my son, Christian Gann and his drag persona, Aimee Amour, who is also a DJ in NYC and music producer. In this episode, Christian is back for his second interview on Our True Colors. If you missed the first interview, you can check it out here. It's linked below, as well. In this episode, Christian talks about his experiences as a multiracial makeup artist and drag queen and shares his perspectives as Aimee. You don't want to miss it!References in this Episode:Aimee Amour on InstagramAimee Amour on TikTokIntersecting Communities: Pride & BLMIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!This week we are back with Part 2 of the interview with Amy Daniels. If you missed Part 1, you can check it out here. In this episode, Amy and I continue our conversation about her lived experiences as a Korean woman who was adopted by White parents and what it's meant moving through spaces where people around you have certain expectations about your identity. We talk about her experiences dating, the "Guest Pass", and even the importance of names. For Further ExplorationThe Color of WhitenessThe Problem with ‘People of Color’: It Implies Whiteness is the DefaultWhiteness and White PrivilegeIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!This episode is the first of a 2-part interview with my friend, Amy Daniels. I'd been wanting to interview her for a couple of years now, and she happened to be hanging out my place when we were like...let's do this! Amy is a superstar recruiter in the management consulting industry in the DC Metro area - sometimes called the "DMV" since it encompasses parts of Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. In this first part of her interview, Amy talks about navigating situations when people make assumptions about her identity, particularly as it pertains to her having been transracially adopted. Together we talk about the strange things folks do when they aren't sure "what you are" or "where you're from".Don't forget to check out Part 2! References & ResourcesKey & Peele - Dating a Biracial GuyLee Atwater's Infamous 1981 Interview on the Southern Strategy (Contains strong language)"Double Consciousness and the Veil" by W.E.B. Du Bois: Summary and AnalysisIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!Daniel Washington is an I/O Psychology Master's graduate with a passion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He was born in New York City but raised in Atlanta, GA and moved back to New York City in August of 2018 to further his education in I/O Psychology. I received my Master's from Touro College in the summer of 2020. He is now I'm working towards furthering my career in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.In this episode, Daniel talks with me about his identity journey and the way he has been working to confront the anti-Blackness that he grew up with. Realizing it was the first step - and what a hard realization! Check out this episode to hear his story.If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this special episode of Our True Colors, Yolandie and I discuss Disney's new live action Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey as Ariel. Join us for this important conversation about social expectations and redefining norms.REFERENCESThe Little Mermaid TrailerAI Technology Making Little Mermaid WhiteCharlotte La Bouff - "Man Catchin' Beignets"Racists Are Worried About the Historical Accuracy of MermaidsRELATED ARTICLESA New Ariel Inspires Joy for Young Black Girls: ‘She Looks Like Me’The Hashtag That Changed the Oscars: An Oral HistoryResearchers have found a major problem with ‘The Little Mermaid’ and other Disney moviesThe Original Version Of Cinderella Might Shock YouHere's How Disney Is Continuing To Honor Tiana, The First Black Disney PrincessCheerios ad with mixed-race family draws racist responsesDIVERSITY ON THE STAGE AND SCREENWhitney Houston CinderellaAlice in Wonderland: Sherman HemsleyAlice in Wonderland: Sammy Davis Jr.JK Rowling tells of anger at attacks on casting of black HermioneIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!After a bit of a summer break, Yolandie and I are back with our guest Ashnie Butler. Ashnie's story starts on the island of Trinidad with roots going back to Southern India. She has lived on the east and west coast of the United States, currently residing in Portland, Oregon, with her non-binary teenager. Her passion for cooking took her to culinary school and started her journey of learning about cultures and people through their food. Once Ashnie completed her B.A. in American Multicultural Studies, she began seeking to affect change through economic justice. Her training in Theater of the Oppressed, Courage Conversations, Mindfulness and Coaching allows her to hold various racial and cultural identities with awareness, skill and presence, pointing individuals, groups and folks with organizations to their own best selves.In this episode, Ashnie shares her experiences of exploring and coming to understand her identity as it manifest in different settings outside of and inside of the United States. Her story leads to a compelling conversation of self-realization and social identity. Related to the convo:"Double Consciousness and the Veil" by W.E.B. Du Bois: Summary and AnalysisIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this episode of Our True Colors, we welcome Karlton Hoskins, #1 International Best Selling Author, Business Owner, Real Estate Investor, and Strategist. In this episode we talk about business and go all the way back to roots. Do NOT miss this fascinating conversation that takes us around the world and back in time.Resources related to the convo:What Became of the Taíno?From Acadian to CajunThe Creole Community in The United States of America, a storyWhat's the difference between Cajun and Creole—or is there one?If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this fantastic episode with Payal Beri, we discuss what it's like living abroad for an extended amount of time as 3rd Culture folks. Along the way we talk about how this has equipped us to be empathetic and applying these life lessons to what we do every day. Come along for the ride!If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!In this intriguing episode of Our True Colors, Sandra Hunter joins us to talk about her work with Wild Women Leaders of Colour and shares her own experiences of identity and "herstory". Together we talk about leaning on each other...and our ancestors...for support as we as women of color navigate space historically dominated by white men.Resources related to the convo:How a Lack of Sponsorship Keeps Black Women Out of the C-SuiteSista, Sista: How A Mentor Can Be The Key To Advancing Your CareerBattling the stereotypes: why black women need mentors not ‘angry’ labelsA Road Map for Advancing Women in TechFormer IKEA boss reveals the trick to going through a store in 5 minutes‘My Parents Decided To Outwit Everyone By Giving Their Daughter A White Man’s Name’Job Applicants With ‘Black Names’ Still Less Likely to Get InterviewsThe hidden tax on being different (HBR)There is a tax on being different (Financial Times)Harvard Study Says Minority Job Candidates Are 'Whitening' Their Resumes When Looking for JobsIf 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!

MESSAGE ME HERE!I am so happy to welcome back Season 3 Cohost, Carmen Watson, to talk with me about the news of the US Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. I wanted to know her thoughts and perspectives as a Canadian and understand what conversations are happening among our neighbors to the north. Join us for this special episode as we discuss this incredibly impactful Supreme Court decision. Resources to Check OutWoman Whose Conception Sparked Roe v. Wade Case Breaks Silence: 'I'm Keeping a Secret but I Hate It'If Clarence Thomas were consistent, he'd oppose Loving v. VirginiaInterracial Marriage Under Attack: Thinking the UnthinkableClarence Thomas Signals Same-Sex Marriage and Contraception Rights at Risk After Overturning Roe v. WadeWhat access to abortion looks like across CanadaTrudeau calls U.S. Roe v. Wade reversal of abortion rights 'horrific'If 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!Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us! Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. Consider joining the Critical Mixed Race Studies Association!