Our True Colors

By: Dr. Shawna Gann
  • Summary

  • Our True Colors is a podcast that explores the challenges of being racially ambiguous and focuses on identity and belonging. What’s it like when you fit everywhere yet belong nowhere all at the same time? If you or someone you care about might be considered a racial riddle, an ethnic enigma, or a cultural conundrum, this show is for you! Conversations are facilitated by your host, Dr. Shawna Gann, along with guest co-hosts who join each season.

    Our True Colors is an extension of True Culture Coaching and Consulting, a firm dedicated to enhancing workplace culture through the principles of business psychology and diversity, equity, and inclusion. For more information and to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Gann, visit www.truecultureconsulting.com.

    © 2025 Our True Colors
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Episodes
  • Breaking Out of the Box: Multiracial Identity, Monoracism, and Belonging with Dr. Victoria K. Malaney-Brown
    Jan 28 2025

    Join the conversation — Send a Text Message!

    In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Victoria K. Malaney-Brown, a scholar-practitioner at Columbia University and the first-ever Director of Academic Integrity for undergraduates at Columbia College and Columbia Engineering, joins us to explore the nuanced realities of multiracial identity. From her deeply personal poem "Outside of the Box" to her groundbreaking research on multiracial college students, Dr. Malaney-Brown sheds light on the complexities of navigating identity, privilege, and belonging. We dive into monoracism, critical consciousness, and the importance of creating spaces where mixed-race individuals feel seen and heard. Whether you're mixed-race, a parent, an ally, or someone looking to expand their understanding, this conversation offers valuable insights and inspiration.

    You can find Dr. Malaney-Brown on LinkedIn and on Instagram.

    Here's some more stuff to check out:

    • Multiracial Experiences in Higher Education: Contesting Knowledge, Honoring Voice, and Innovating Practice
    • Preparing for Higher Education’s Mixed Race Future: Why Multiraciality Matters
    • Racial Identity and Census Categories
    • What is Critical Consciousness?
    • American College Personnel Association
    • Critical Mixed Race Studies Association (Learn about the membership here!)
    • Multiracial and Transracial Adoptee Network (MTAN)
    • National Conference on Race and Ethnicity

    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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    45 mins
  • Finding Self in a World of Assumptions: Multiracial Identity and Belonging
    Jan 14 2025

    Join the conversation — Send a Text Message!

    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.

    Stuff to Check Out:

    • Sundown Towns
    • Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism
    • Historical Database of Sundown Towns
    • The ‘Black Wife Effect’

    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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    43 mins
  • Mixed-Race Parenting: Insights with Dr. Jenn Noble
    Dec 17 2024

    Join the conversation — Send a Text Message!

    In this thought-provoking episode, Shawna sits down with Dr. Jenn Noble, psychologist, educator, and advocate for mixed-race families, to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities in parenting mixed-race children. Together, they explore:

    • The nuances of mixed-race identity and how it shapes a child’s experience.
    • Why starting conversations about race with children isn’t as daunting as it seems.
    • How parents’ own experiences can influence their approach to raising mixed-race kids.
    • Practical strategies to help children embrace their full identity while navigating societal complexities.

    Dr. Jenn shares powerful insights on meeting children where they are, supporting their growth, and how race and identity education can start with simple, age-appropriate concepts like melanin. This episode is packed with actionable advice for parents and thought-provoking stories for listeners of all backgrounds.

    Follow Dr. Jenn on Instagram: @drjennpsych and learn more about her work at Free to Be Collective.

    Stuff to check out from mentions in the episode:

    • Unwrapping the Gift of Dialogue: Race Talk with Meredith and Cindy
    • Redress and Reparations for Japanese American Incarceration
    • Apologizing for the enslavement and racial segregation of African-Americans

    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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    49 mins

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