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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.

Stuff to check out from mentions in the episode:

• Kamala Harris’ racial and cultural background at the convention
• Why the term “BIPOC” is so complicated, explained by linguists
• Is It Time To Say R.I.P. To 'POC'?
• BAME We're Not the Same
• For Black women, Harris’s loss creates new wound
• The Blue Bracelet Movement, Explained
• A Look at Racial Incongruence
• Racist text messages sent to Black recipients, including children
• Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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 personal and professional growth.

Takeaways

• Mixed 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 Underway
• Coming to Our Census: Are the Race and Ethnicity Questions Needed?
• How the Census Bureau Stood Up to Donald Trump’s Meddling
• Why the 2030 census will likely show a drop in 'white' Americans
• Who The Census Misses
• Chapter 1: Race and Multira

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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.

Extra Stuff to Check Out:

• Kamala Harris on The Breakfast Club (2019)
• Tema Okun on Her Mythical Paper on White Supremacy
• White Supremacy Culture – Still Here...A Short History of the Original Article 

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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.

Stuff mentioned in the episode that you should check out:

• The Financial Perks of Being Tall
• Stereotype Threat
• Half of U.S. states have passed the CROWN Act to ban hair discrimination

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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.   

Other stuff to check out:

• The Infuriating Journey From Pet To Threat: How Bias Undermines Black Women At Work
• The Persistence Of Pet To Threat
• The US will become ‘minority white’ in 2045, Census projects
• The Myth of a Majority-Minority America
• GOP 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 Hire

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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.

Other stuff to check out:

• Vintage Bandaid Commercial
• Browndages 
• This Is the Worst Way to Make an Inclusive Foundation Shade
• This brand made a BLACK Foundation!?
• The 5 S's of Engagement: Navigating Your Path Through Allyship

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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 Jason

• Season 2: I'm Gumbo, Baby! 
• Season 2: What's in a Name? 

Part 2: The Mixed Tape with Shannon, Carmen, and Yolandie

• Season 4: Kickin it with Karlton Hoskins
• Season 1: Coming to Our Census
• Season 3: Good Vibes Family Reunion
• Season 3: Sticks and Stones
• Season 1: Growing Up Ambiguously Across the Generations
• Season 3: Unwrapping the Gift of Dialogue
• Season 3: A Mother's Love
• Season 1: Talking H & M: Race and Royalty

Other Stuff:

• Animated map shows the evol

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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. 

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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.

References

• Meet Yolandie! Season 4 Cohost
• Will Smith in Emancipation
• Will Smith Has A Candid Answer After Getting Asked Why He Wanted To Make A Movie About Slavery
• Will Smith Explains Why He Avoided Making Movies About Slavery: 'I Wanted to Be a Superhero'
• SPECIAL EPISODE: The Little Mermaid of Color
• The racist backlash to The Little Mermaid and Lord of The Rings is exhausting and extremely predictable

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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 Resources

• Belonging: A Culture of Place
• Dija on Instagram
• Check out The Blue House on Instagram, too!

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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 References

• Musicians are Hooking Up Synthesizers to Plants for New Sonic Possibilities
• Connect Your Plant To A Moog Synth With MIDI Sprout
• The Woman King (2022)
• Whites Distrust Biracial People When Their Racial Presentation Varies, Rutgers Study Finds
• Asian Americans are Skeptical of Biracial People’s Racial Loyalties 

(Note: Jacqueline Chen is a former Our True Colors Guest. Check out her episode here.)

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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 Frank
• Who is protected from employment discrimination?
• GOP lawmakers push historic wave of bills targeting rights of LGBTQ teens, children and their families
• Justice Thomas urges U.S. Supreme Court to feel free to reverse precedents
• Supreme Court Dobbs Decision
• Child Welfare League of America
• What is Kinship Care?
• The (Only) 5 Fears We All Share

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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 Ambiguously
• Processing COVID-19: A Minisode

References and Resources:

• History made: Bruce’s Beach has been returned to descendants of Black family
• White Kids: Growing Up with Privilege in a Racially Divided America
• How The Adultification Bias Contributes To Black Trauma
• Impression Management and Self Presentation (Goffman)

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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 Instagram
• Aimee Amour on TikTok
• Intersecting Communities: Pride & BLM

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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 Exploration

• The Color of Whiteness
• The Problem with ‘People of Color’: It Implies Whiteness is the Default
• Whiteness and White Privilege

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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 & Resources

• Key & Peele - Dating a Biracial Guy
• Lee 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

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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.

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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 Are Worried About the Historical Accuracy of Mermaids

RELATED ARTICLES

• A New Ariel Inspires Joy for Young Black Girls: ‘She Looks Like Me’
• The Hashtag That Changed the Oscars: An Oral History
• Researchers have found a major problem with ‘The Little Mermaid’ and other Disney movies
• The Original Version Of Cinderella Might Shock You
• Here's How Disney Is Continuing To Honor Tiana, The First Black Disney Princess
• Cheerios ad with mixed-race family draws racist responses

DIVERSITY ON THE STAGE AND SCREEN

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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 Analysis

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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 Cajun
• The Creole Community in The United States of America, a story
• What's the difference between Cajun and Creole—or is there one?

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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!

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

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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-Suite
• Sista, Sista: How A Mentor Can Be The Key To Advancing Your Career
• Battling the stereotypes: why black women need mentors not ‘angry’ labels
• A Road Map for Advancing Women in Tech
• Former 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 Interviews
• The 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 Jobs

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

Join the conversation — Send a Text Message!

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 Out

• Woman 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. Virginia
• Interracial Marriage Under Attack: Thinking the Unthinkable
• Clarence Thomas Signals Same-Sex Marriage and Contraception Rights at Risk After Overturning Roe v. Wade
• What access to abortion looks like across Canada
• Trudeau calls U.S. Roe v. Wade reversal of abortion rights 'horrific'

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

Join the conversation — Send a Text Message!

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.

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.

Join the conversation — Send a Text Message!

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 OTC this episode to talk about the difference between work-life balance and work-life harmony. Too often we try to juggle everything all at once rather than looking for how we can do some ebb and flow. Ruthie also talks with us in this episode 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.

References you might find interesting:

• Work-Life Harmony
• Belgium, Portugal And Other European Countries Prohibit Managers From Contacting Employees Outside Of Working Hours

Want to be a guest or know someone who should join us? Click this link to complete the guest interest form.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and new for Season 5, check us out on YouTube, and TikTok, and keep up with True Culture on LinkedIn.

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.