In this rich and candid episode of Our True Colors, Shawna is joined by Rachel, returning co-host and fellow deep thinker and wonderful guest Annemarie Shrouder, international speaker, facilitator, and bestselling author of Being Brown in a Black and White World.
Together, they explore what it means to hold a “both/and” identity—especially as mixed-race or multiracial individuals navigating a world obsessed with binaries. Annemarie shares the powerful story behind her personal “aha” moment, the birth of the both/and framework, and the bridge-building superpower that comes with embracing complexity. They also talk about parenting multiracial children, code-switching across cultures, internalized shame, and the liberating work of self-acceptance.
We laugh, reflect, and get real about everything from childhood perms to generational healing, from the politics of hair to the power of poetry—and yes, even resting as resistance.
Topics include:
- The emotional journey of embracing multiracial identity
- Both/and as a tool for belonging and bridge-building
- Raising confident, culturally rooted children
- What happens when whiteness is the assumed default
- Why identity is a lifelong journey, not a one-time decision
Mentioned in this episode:
- Imagined Communities:
Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism - SPECIAL EPISODE: The Little Mermaid of Color
- When Black Girls Watch “Wicked,” It Hits Differently
- Wicked’s Elphaba Has Always Been Black. Cynthia Erivo’s Stunning Performance Cements It
- JK Rowling tells of anger at attacks on casting of black Hermione
- Who is Black?
- ‘One-drop rule’ persists
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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 truec
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