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

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 navigatin...

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 mainstr...

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 navigati...

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 resear...

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...

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 da...

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 an...

MESSAGE ME HERE! Summary In 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...

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...

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,...

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 em...

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 priv...

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...

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...

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 keep...

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-cultural...

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 Ve...

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...

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 I...

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 talk...

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 h...

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...

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...

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. REFERENCES The Little Mermaid Trailer AI Technology Making Little Mermaid White Charlotte La Bouff - "Man Catchin' Beignets" Racists Ar...

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 jo...