Our True Colors

Join the conversation — Send a Text Message!Welcome to the community!This introductory episode introduces listeners to the premise of Our True Colors. In this opening episode, I discuss terms and concepts surrounding issues of race. The links below are here for your reference and to learn more.Want to be a guest? Click this link to send me your thoughts on how you could add to the convo as a guest on the show!I encourage you to reach out to me and share your thoughts! What topics would you like to discuss? Do you have some feedback? Would you like to respond to an episode? Reach out with a direct text.Link further exploration:Race as a Social ConstructHuman Genome ProjectRace, Ethnicity, and Culture with Jelly BeansEugenics and Scientific RacismBiden Administration's Proposal for Updated Census Data CollectionHonorary Whiteness - Eduardo Bonilla-SilvaColonialismCultureBeing a Third Culture KidIntersectionalityBlumenbach and "Caucasian"More on Blumenbach and the term "Caucasian"The Construction of Race and RacismWant to be a guest? Click this link to send me your thoughts on how you could add to the convo as a guest on the show!Don't forget to subscribe!If this is your first time with OTC, check out EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Our True Colors is sponsored 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. You can find us at truecultureconsulting.com where you can also contact us to schedule a free consultation.

This introductory episode introduces listeners to the premise of Our True Colors. In this opening episode, I discuss terms and concepts surrounding issues of race. The links below are here for your reference and to learn more.I encourage you to reach out to me and share your thoughts! What topics would you like to discuss? Do you have some feedback? Would you like to respond to an episode? Check out  www.truecultureconsulting.com where you can also send me a message.Welcome to the community!Link further exploration:Race as a Social ConstructHuman Genome ProjectRace, Ethnicity, and Culture with Jelly BeansBiden Administration's Proposal for Updated Census Data CollectionHonorary Whiteness - Eduardo Bonilla-SilvaColonialismCultureBeing a Third Culture KidIntersectionalityBlumenbach and "Caucasian"More on Blumenbach and the term "Caucasian"Gender Neutral TermsIf this is your first time with OTC, check out EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Our True Colors is sponsored by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization. You can find us at truecultureconsulting.com where you can also contact us to schedule a free consultation.If you like Our True Colors, you should also check out The Culture Clinic, a podcast that offers actionable strategies for fostering inclusive and thriving workplaces through insightful discussions and data-driven insights. Dive deep into organizational culture, diversity, and leadership impact to unlock hidden potential and redefine the future of work.explores the challenges of being racially ambiguous and focuses on identity and belonging.

This is it, y'all! The last episode of OTC! 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!Meet the Cohosts:Season 1: Meet ShannonSeason 2: Meet JasonSeason 3: Meet CarmenSeason 4: Meet YolandiePart 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 DiscontentsSocials:Shawna on LinkedInShannon on LinkedIn and InstagramCarmen on Instagram and TwitterYolandie Hamilton on LinkedIn, Instagram, and FacebookIf this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting.

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 Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!

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!

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!If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!References and ResourcesBelonging: A Culture of PlaceFind Dija Henry on InstagramCheck out The Blue House on Instagram, too!

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.If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!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.)

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.If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!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 Share

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.If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!ReferencesSarah 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)

In this very special episode, I have a one-to-one real-talk session with my son, Christian Gann. 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 Amour. You don't want to miss it!If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!ReferencesReferences in this Episode:Aimee Amour on InstagramAimee Amour on TikTokIntersecting Communities: Pride & BLM

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. If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!For Further ExplorationThe Color of WhitenessThe Problem with ‘People of Color': It Implies Whiteness is the DefaultWhiteness and White Privilege

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 follow or subscribe to the show so you don't miss Part 2, which will be coming out soon. If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!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 Analysis

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 Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!

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.If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!REFERENCESThe Little Mermaid TrailerAI Technology Making Little Mermaid WhiteCharlotte La Bouff - "Man Catchin' Beignets"RELATED 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 HermioneJ.K. Rowling Defends Casting Black Actress as Hermione in ‘Harry Potter' PlayShereen Ahmed dreamed of playing Eliza Doolittle, not Princess Jasmine. Her wish came trueHEART-WARMING REACTIONSInstagram: feministTikTok: brotherboy knows what's up

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. If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!Related to the convo:"Double Consciousness and the Veil" by W.E.B. Du Bois: Summary and Analysis

On 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.f this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!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?

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 Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!

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 Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!

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 Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!

In this episode, we talk with Rahimeh Ramezany about identity and making assumptions about who people are and what their lived experiences must be. Rahimeh is a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Intercultural Specialist, whose work is focused on addressing the experiences of marginalized ethnic, racial, and religious communities in the United States, in order to create change on individual, interpersonal, and systemic levels. Rahimeh has a Master's degree in Intercultural Communication from San Jose State University, and has worked at multiple DEI-focused nonprofits and consulting firms.If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!

Ruthie Bowles is a US Army Veteran, mom to four kids, and lives in Maryland with her family, goats, and chickens. She focuses on bringing awareness to the unethical tactics and strategies in the small business coaching and consulting industry. Ruthie is also an audiobook narrator.She joins Yolandie and me this episode to talk about teasing out powerful coaches and consultants from those who are just out to pitch slap you. While everyone can use a great coach, Ruthie warns about those with unhealthy marketing and sales tactics that are all about selling hot air and not results.If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!References you might find interesting:Work-Life HarmonyBelgium, Portugal And Other European Countries Prohibit Managers From Contacting Employees Outside Of Working Hours

Join Yolandie and me this week as we chat with my wonderful friend, Twanette Barrett. She is a retired army vet and now a life coach living in Bali, Indonesia.If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!

While Washington, DC is the city where he resides, Dr. Christopher Riddickis a proud son of North Carolina and hails from the rural county of Gates. His upbringing was significant in shaping his identity and fuels many of his passions today. Dr. Riddick is intent on helping organizations truly exhibit what they frequently say but are often challenged to demonstrate: that people are their most valuable assets. Dr. Riddick is a devoted husband and father of three. He is a lover of music, bacon, and bourbon and enjoys quality time with friends when any or all three are present.In this episode we focus on belonging...even within one's perceived cultural community. Dr. Riddick shares his experiences with trying to fit in when not seen as Black enough or when seen as too Black. He also talks with Yolandie and me about judgment associated with the perceived identity of one's significant other.If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!Our True Colors is sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!Here are some other resources to check about topics mentioned in this episode:Colorism and the Paper Bag TestCode-switching: 4 Forum voices on what it is – and why we need to talk about itWhy dark-skinned black girls like me aren't getting married

Katrina Strohl (they/she/him) served as an Aviation Structural Mechanic in the US Navy. In 2018, Katrina decided to take their own life after internalizing the behavior of an unsafe workplace. They now serve others through their work in psychological safety, mental health and boundary strategy for people who share their identities or their lived experiences.This work includes Absolutely Not!, the weekly live podcast dedicated to providing examples of setting personal boundaries at work and the vocabulary needed to name harm in those spaces. Katrina is Black, Sāmoan and Queer and lives with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and a Substance Use Disorder. Heads up: This episode contains strong language.In this episode, Katrina talks with Yolandie and me about the ambiguity...of racial ambiguity (did you catch that?). We also discuss how we can watch out for the characters of white supremacy culture - no matter how you racially identify. We also talk about how the media can influence how we see ourselves and how others see us.Find out more about Katrina by visiting their website here.If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!This episode and others are sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!Here are some other resources to check about topics mentioned in this episode:The term "Latinx" is used by just 3% ofUS HispanicsPOC, WOC, BIPOC and other terms labeling people of colorThe Costs of Code-Switching

Welcome to Season 4 of Our True Colors! I am happy to introduce my co-host for this season, Yolandie Hamilton. She'll be hangin' with us for the season, so get to know a little bit about her in this episode.Yolandie Hamilton is a personal style and confidence coach, mom and proud to be the very interesting mix of Jamaica and Poland, with a lot of other stuff in there. She is passionate about giving women back to themselves through style and connecting with others to learn what they are passionate about. She also performs in community theatre and teaches kids improv at summer camps. She is excited to bring her perspective from small town Michigan to the show.If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!This episode and others are sponsored by True Colors Consulting - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion support that goes beyond compliance!

Join Carmen and me as we talk about our experiences, what we've learned, and the takeaways from Season 3.

Our guest this week is Stefanie Kurgatt. Stefanie was born in Eldoret, Kenya but moved to the states at a young age and most of her childhood was spent in Tallahassee, Fl. She attended Georgetown University, where she earned her B.S. in Healthcare Management/Policy and M.S. in Health Systems Administration. She holds a great interest in health disparities, community health, and social determinants of health and strives to increase access to care for the underserved. In her spare time, Stefanie loves to workout, go on runs and bike rides around DC, and cook. She loves being outside and going on different adventures/road trips. Most recently Stefanie embarked on her first backpacking trip and is excited for more outdoor adventures! In this episode, Stefanie talks with Carmen and me about her experiences going on her identity journey as a biracial immigrant and the confidence she has gained learning to accept and love herself for who she is and her desire for others recognize the whole person for who they are and all the goodness they bring to the table.If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!

Dr. Charletta Wilson is  an industrial & organizational psychologist, an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Certified Professional Coach, Global Team Coach, TEDx Speaker and Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator at CaPeesh Consulting LLC. For over two decades, she’s served thousands of clients in business startups, leadership and organizational development. In our interview, Dr. Wilson  shares stories of how she was introduced to colorism and how it parlayed with stories of not being good enough. With this talk, she is able to put language to hard experiences that may, otherwise, go unnoticed in our everyday biases.If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!

Haley and Megan are sisters who grew up in rural Louisiana. Haley is now a school psychologist working in South Louisiana. Megan lives in New Orleans and works in the film industry. These sisters love history and started making a list of historical figures who were mixed race a few year ago. Two years ago they decided to turn their list into a blog. Since then they’ve been adding more people to the list and sharing blog or Instagram posts about them. Some of the people on the list are well known historical figures who many don’t realize were mixed race, like Booker T Washington or Alexandre Dumas. Others are less well known, but still have incredible stories and accomplishments.Check out this episode where we talk about these figures and more!If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!

In light of the continued violence against Asian communities around the US and, indeed, around the world; and in an effort to bring renewed awareness, I am bringing back an episode from earlier this year.Daniel Quan-Watson has lived an unusual mix of being at the very center of powerful institutions and structures and being on the outside of so many other aspects of daily life in Canada and North America. He holds the highest rank possible in Canada's Public Service, the equivalent of an Under-Secretary in the US. He speaks English and French with the same ease, has lived in 13 places across Canada, visited every part of the country, has written legislation that will be in place for generations, led one of the greatest National Parks systems in the world, and has played a role in helping shape how Canada faces some of its most challenging questions. He is also the first ever federal government Deputy Minister (equivalent to an Undersecretary in the United States) to be of Chinese-Canadian ancestry.By birth, Mr. Quan-Watson is of Chinese-Canadian, Irish and Polish ancestry. He was adopted and raised lovingly by the descendants of Scottish, English and Welsh immigrants to Canada. He joins Carmen and me as our special guest this episode to discuss his open-letter response to an article by Rex Murphy asking whether racism is still a problem in Canada. Check out the links below for more background on this episode.REX MURPHY: Canada is not a racist country, despite what the Liberals sayDANIEL QUAN-WATSON: An Answer to Rex Murphy's Questions on Racism in CanadaOther enlightening reads:Self-Care Tips For Asian Americans Dealing With Racism Amid CoronavirusHow to support Asian American colleagues amid the recent wave of anti-Asian violenceWhat Racial Terms You Should AvoidUnderstanding the Stressors and Types of Discrimination That Can Affect Multiracial IndividualsBiracial couple shares experience, advice on having conversations about race with childrenIf this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!

My guest this week is Nikki Innocent. Nikki is a 2-time TEDx speaker, certified women’s leadership coach, diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) strategist and the host of the podcast Checkbox Other, that focuses on the journey toward belonging. Five years ago, Nikki left behind her career in corporate America to live and lead fully as herself focusing on belonging, releasing the pressure to “fit in” and embracing the ways she differed as a creative, biracial, Millennial woman. Nikki’s work focuses on fostering a new generation of leaders looking to leverage their unique power and privilege to lead their lives authentically to make the future a more inclusive place.In this episode, Nikki and I talk about her journey away from corporate America into her new adventure of entrepreneurship. We also talk about her experiences being "other" in a number of situations and how she helps leaders in organizations navigate tricky discussions. Following the interview, my co-host Carmen and I discuss "Cancel Culture" and "Calling In vs. Calling Out". Carmen shares this interesting NYT article about Loretta J. Ross, a professor at Smith College, who teaches a course on the topic.If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!

My guest this week is Dr. Shantel Gabrieal Buggs. Dr. Buggs is an assistant professor of sociology and African American studies at Florida State University, specializing in research on multiracial identity, representation, and romantic, sexual, and family relationships. She is currently working on an edited collection of essays on "queering" consent for LGBTQ people in the #MeToo era and her first monograph on the online dating experiences of multiracial women in Central Texas. She's also collaborating on several other projects exploring race, gender, and inequality within higher education.Her primary research agenda focuses on multiracial identity, family dynamics, and interracial relationships (race, gender, intimacy, culture), and she has written about the online dating experiences of self-identified multiracial and multiethnic women as well as other pieces such as how the BLM movement is shaping how women vet partners and how multiracial women view their relationships as interracial. Check out this episode where we discuss online dating and the future of the US in light of shifting demographics and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!

Maris Lidaka is a filmmaker in Los Angeles and the creator of the Blended Future Project. Maris talks with me about his experience growing up mixed both in a mostly white suburb but also abroad in high school. This experience allowed him to gain some perspective on race and who he is.

Natalie Forest, Ph.D. an intuitive transformational Mentor with a background in history and teaching. She is a teacher inside and out in all she does. She helps people going through a "midlife crisis" reconnect with their own unique self through addressing "the Hidden Power of Patterns" so that they can finally live their lives, their way. Natalie is from Germany, studies U.S. and "USSR" history to become an experts in issues relating to equality in the U.S. through her studies of history, humanities, psychology and life - transferring skills all along the way. She lives in Maryland with her daughter and husband and enjoys volunteering with her daughter, reading, yoga, and travels. She is the CEO of the SAAS company iDueSystems, Executive Director for The Women of Global of Change, a columnist for The Los Angeles Tribune, a speaker, author and more.

Sarah Lotus Garrett is a life coach working with mixed adults and monoracial parents of mixed children. She was born and raised in northern California and has lived in Northern Italy for the past 15 years. She is a woman, daughter, sister, mother, wife, auntie, friend, world citizen, chef, gardener, creator of beautiful things, a napper, and a joy seeker.You can check out her work on her Mixed Bloom Room site, where can also learn about her courses. Don't forget to follow her on Instagram, too!P.S. You can check out the "butters" video here.

How was the topic of race handled in your household? Something you've always discussed or an area that typically went untouched? Meredith and Cindy Palomo are a super cool lesbian couple living in the Kansas City area. They recently paused a three-year endeavor as foster parents. They're lucky to have three amazing daughters, aged 20, 17, and 3. They have a passion for sharing what they know about trauma-informed care, and have a deep belief that every child deserves to grow up with a connection to their roots, biological and otherwise.Meredith Palomo and Lauren Wiggins are sisters and grew up in the suburbs of Kansas City. Now mothers, each living in a city with a rich activist culture, they've started grappling again with what it means to be bi-racial, black, and women and what they hope to share with their children about their experiences.On this episode of OTC, these wonderful women come together to discuss these experiences and their plans for bringing up their children after having reflected on their own childhoods.If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!

Daniel Quan-Watson has lived an unusual mix of being at the very center of powerful institutions and structures and being on the outside of so many other aspects of daily life in Canada and North America. He holds the highest rank possible in Canada's Public Service, the equivalent of an Under-Secretary in the US. He speaks English and French with the same ease, has lived in 13 places across Canada, visited every part of the country, has written legislation that will be in place for generations, led one of the greatest National Parks systems in the world, and has played a role in helping shape how Canada faces some of its most challenging questions. He is also the first ever federal government Deputy Minister (equivalent to an Undersecretary in the United States) to be of Chinese-Canadian ancestry. By birth, Mr. Quan-Watson is of Chinese-Canadian, Irish and Polish ancestry. He was adopted and raised lovingly by the descendants of Scottish, English and Welsh immigrants to Canada. He joins Carmen and I as our special guest this episode to discuss his open-letter response to an article by Rex Murphy asking whether racism is still a problem in Canada. Check out the links below for more background on this episode.REX MURPHY: Canada is not a racist country, despite what the Liberals sayDANIEL QUAN-WATSON: An Answer to Rex Murphy's Questions on Racism in Canada

I had the pleasure to welcome the reigning Mrs. Tennessee for 2020 - 2021, Mrs. LaFaye Noel. Not only is LaFaye active in her community and beyond, she speaks of intersectionality, self-esteem, and skills to bring confidence to just about any situation with the wisdom of a mother of four, educator, and a shining example of diversity, equity, and inclusion advocating for minorities through her platform “Unicorns: We Belong!”.LaFaye Noel began competing as a teen and now steps into a new division. She’s served as a coach, contestant, and even a pageant mom. After being deflected from competing due to her same-sex marriage, LaFaye was determined to make a difference with an organization that aligns with her beliefs and values. If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info and join the community on Instagram to continue the conversations!

Katie Andresen is the host & producer of Mixed Kid Chronicles, a podcast for the mixed up and mixed race.

My guest this week is life coach and counselor, Brittany George. Brittany was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada and is the founder of Mixed Mental Health. She focuses on identity alignment and building confidence and community. Mixed men and women can find relatable content on her site about what it is liked to be mixed and how your mental health is affected by what we experience.In this episode, Brittany talks a little bit about her program for women, but also shares a bit of her story, even as she continues her own identity journey. You can find Brittany on Instagram and on Facebook.

Rara Imler is a native CHamoru born and raised on Guam. She is a comedian, writer, actor, and adult entertainer based out of Atlanta, Georgia. She has joined me on the show to discuss what it means to be a mixed-race Islander and the difficulties experienced when trying to assimilate and be fully accepted into one's respective culture(s). In this interview, she describes this phenomenon as not being unique when experiencing life on the island, but that it can impact Americans in the continental U.S. as well. You can catch up with Rara on Twitter @islandgoth.More about CHamoru (Chamorro) History and Culture:Spelling variants Culture and History More Culture and History If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info!

Hang with me and my cohosts from Seasons 1 through 3 in this special episode as we discuss our reaction to the US Presidential Election. Shannon Edwards (Season 1), Jason Mitchum (Season 2), and Carmen Watson (Season 3) join me to talk about our perspectives, our hopes, and our disappointments. Carmen, who is Canadian, gives us her viewpoints as a neighbor from the north. Stick around to the very end to hear the song that is giving me life these days - LOVE IT! Check out Only You by Kidd and Queen on Spotify or find it wherever you like to stream your music.Be safe everyone, and don't forget to join the community on Instagram and Facebook. You can join the FB group to discuss all the goings on in the world of racial ambiguity. Love y'all!Here is some additional info for you to explore:How are Electoral College Electors Chosen?Three-Fifths CompromiseUnderstanding the Three-Fifths CompromiseDC Taxation without RepresentationCan DC Make it 51?Will Washington, DC and Puerto Rico be Granted Statehood?

The time has arrived. Election Day in America is here. With me to discuss the significance of this election, the very fulcrum of the future direction of America, is my guest, April Powers.April is the Managing Director of First Impression Rx, a full service consulting firm that helps fortune 500, nonprofits, and government agencies manage differences through training and diversity and inclusion strategy. She is also the Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer for the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. Prior to this, she led inclusion efforts at NestléUSA as well as Amgen. She is Bluish (black and Jewish), bilingual, has lived in the US, South America and Europe and, thus brings a global perspective with local understanding to her clients' goals in the inclusion space.Join us as we discuss this important event. And if you are eligible and haven't yet cast your ballot - be ready with a plan for Election Day!If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info!

This week I am joined by the cast of Blasian Narratives Vol. I. Some have gone on to take on a diverse range of endeavors but this project continues to connect them. It has been five years since Volume 1, and now the group is back together to discuss their perspectives on being Black and Asian.Visit blasianproject.org/ for more about the Blasian Project and follow them on Instagram.If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info!

This week my guest is Therese Kempf, who is a therapist in NYC. She specializes in working with trauma and couples, and has a unique focus in working with Racism as Trauma. Therese is also a body based therapist (Sensorimotor Psychotherapy) and helps her clients see the body as a main source of information as well as a primary channel for healing. She has also been featured in a short film called The Devolution of Love, where she is a couples therapist discussing the nuances of dating in the Tinder culture today. She was also in the Netflix film She Did That!, a film about black entrepreneurial women.In this episode she and I discuss the different ways that racism can impact us and cause trauma - even when not directly. I invite you to this conversation as well as the discussion that follows with my co-host, Carmen. Below you can find more information on some of the topics discussed in the follow up discussion.Want to know more about Therese and what she does? Check out her IG accounts here and here for more.Racial Disparities in Health CareCenters for Disease ControlAssociation for American Medical CollegesAmerican Bar AssociationNew York TimesJoyce Echaquan BBCTimeIf this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info!

I am happy to welcome Zakiya Mabery CEO of B Global Diversity Inclusion Strategic Planning. In this episode of Our True Colors, Zakiya talks with me about the intersections of being a black woman with disabilities. Zakiya is active in the world of diversity and inclusion (D&I) and her new book, Diversity and Inclusion in the Age of COVID, will be available for pre-sale at the end of October, in which she has sound advice for executives navigating the world of D&I.If this is your first time with OTC, check out EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info!

Wanda Booth is a business strategist helping the Million Dollar Business Divas achieve financial freedom and purpose in their online business. She also served 25 years in the US Army where conversations of race, diversity, and equal opportunity are often discussed. Wanda currently lives in Kansas raising her three children to understand their true selves.In this episode, she talks with me about her experiences as a black woman raising her multiracial children and her efforts to shield them from the racist hurt that she experienced in her younger years.If this is your first time with OTC, check out EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info!

Richard Pierre is a filmmaker who was born in the US but is currently living in Toronto, Canada. He joins me to talk about his experiences that led him down the path to film-making and also talks about the day that he became black. Don't miss this episode as we dive deep into the nuances of race and culture and the power of seeing oneself reflected on-screen. Films like What Are You are and added importance when created by mixed folks.Check out WhatAreYouFilm.com to learn more about Richard's films and follow him on Instagram @WhatAreYouFilm. Visit his website at richardbpierre.com to check out more of his work.If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info!

Joshua Grant, a researcher working with the Transitional Justice Resource Center in Kosovo, talks with me about his studies in transitional justice. He is passionate about issues of race in international relations as well as what is happening in the US. In this conversation, we compare recent and historical events in the context of what we are experiencing in America and around the world today. Below are some resources to get you started on your own research surrounding these topics:History of Policing in Americahttps://www.insider.com/history-of-police-in-the-us-photos-2020-6Black Codes and Reconstructionhttps://www.insider.com/history-of-police-in-the-us-photos-2020-6Greensboro Massacrehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aYuqI_69g0https://www.wunc.org/post/40th-anniversary-greensboro-massacrehttps://belovedcommunitycenter.org/truth-reconciliation/The Southern Strategyhttps://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/applied-and-social-sciences-magazines/southern-strategyIf this is your first time with OTC, check out EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info!

Cedric Stout is with Carmen and me for this second episode of the season. Cedric, aka Skycedi, is from the United States but is currently living in Seoul, South Korea. He is a filmmaker, photographer, and YouTuber. In this conversation, Cedric talks about what is was like growing up being half-Korean and half-Black. He walks us through the various stages of his identity journey, helping us to further appreciate the goodness and beauty in being multicultural. Check out Skycedi on YouTube to learn more about him and what he's up to. His YouTube channel is about him and his girlfriend sharing stories of culture, whether it be from the lens of being half-Korean, or highlighting different aspects of Korea. They do discussions, short films, mini-documentaries, and vlogs on the channel.If you want to check out Cedric's photography, follow him on Instagram: @skycedi If this is your first time with OTC, check out Season 1 Episode 1: START HERE for more background on the show.Visit www.truecolorscast.com for more show info!