Our True Colors: Mixed Race Voices and Other Stories of Belonging
Our True Colors is a podcast about identity, belonging, and life in the in-between. We explore what it means to be mixed race, multiracial, multicultural, racially ambiguous — or to grow up across cultures, through adoption, or in any space where identity doesn’t fit neatly into a box.
What’s it like to feel like you fit everywhere yet belong nowhere, all at the same time? If you or someone you love has ever been called a racial riddle, an ethnic enigma, or a cultural conundrum, this show is for you.
Each season, host Dr. Shawna Gann — a business psychologist and storyteller — is joined by a new co-host who brings their own lens. Together with guests, they share candid conversations, family stories, and professional insights that remind us we don’t clock in and out of our identities.
At its heart, Our True Colors is about connection: creating a space where mixed, multicultural, and cross-cultural voices can be heard, where belonging is explored, and where “otherness” becomes something powerful to claim.
Our True Colors is an extension of True Culture Coaching & Consulting, Dr. Gann’s practice dedicated to building stronger, more inclusive workplace cultures. Learn more and connect at www.truecultureconsulting.com
Our True Colors: Mixed Race Voices and Other Stories of Belonging
Finding Self in a World of Assumptions: Multiracial Identity and Belonging
In this episode, Shawna Gann is joined by graduate student Brieanna Hairston cohost Rachel Sadler. Together, they explore the complexities of racial identity, inclusion, and belonging through the lens of multiracial and racially ambiguous individuals.
Brieanna shares personal experiences growing up in a predominantly White area, navigating racial microaggressions from an early age, and finding her place in diverse academic and professional settings. Rachel reflects on the intersection of race, culture, and societal expectations, providing a candid perspective on navigating life as a biracial Black woman. The conversation touches on the effects of colorism, cultural stereotypes, and fetishization, while highlighting the importance of representation and the evolving understanding of multiracial identities. The group also discusses the role of community, historical contexts like Sundown Towns, and the need for equity-driven progress in the workplace and beyond.
Tune in for a powerful dialogue about embracing authenticity, breaking stereotypes, and creating inclusive spaces in both personal and professional spheres.
You can also watch the episode on YouTube!
Stuff to Check Out:
- Sundown Towns
- Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism
- Historical Database of Sundown Towns
- The ‘Black Wife Effect’
If this is your first time with OTC, check out EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show. Continue the conversation on Instagram and find Season 5 episodes on YouTube.
Our True Colors is powered by True Culture Coaching & Consulting. Head to our website to find out how True Culture Coaching and Consulting can support you and your organization, and subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter, The Culture Clinic, for more great content. You can find us at truecultureconsulting.com where you can also contact us to schedule a free consultation.
