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
- The Hummingbird Parable: What We Can Do For Earth
If this is your first time with OTC, check out EPISODE 1: START HERE for more background on the show. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram!
Interested in being a guest? Head to this link to share your story with us!
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