Growing Up Biracial in a White World: Desiree Chang's Journey of Identity and Race
Everyday Conversations on Race
Release Date: 08/16/2024
Navigating Race, Mental Health and Well-being in Corporate America
Everyday Conversations on Race
How can Black professionals address the mental, physical and emotional toll of success in corporate America? Join Simma Lieberman, the Inclusionist, in this insightful episode of Everyday Conversations on Race with guests Shaniqua McClendon and Justin Grant. Shaniqua, VP of Politics at Crooked Media, and Justin, an executive at JP Morgan Chase, share their personal stories and experiences about the significance of discussing race in society and corporate environments. They also delve into the intricacies of mental, physical and emotional health, especially for Black individuals in corporate...
info_outline
How Racist Competency Checks Prevent Merit-Based Hiring
Everyday Conversations on Race
Have you ever felt challenged or questioned because of your race? In this episode of Everyday Conversations on Race, Simma Lieberman welcomes Shari Dunn, author of Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work. Explore how race affects perceptions of competence and the real-world impacts of systemic racism in the workplace. You'll understand how racist competency checks can impede merit-based hiring. With personal anecdotes and historical insights, Shari Dunn sheds light on how people of color, especially Black women, face unfair scrutiny and bias in their...
info_outline
Can Descendants of the Enslaved Reconcile with the Enslavers?
Everyday Conversations on Race
Magic Mind Bundle: Get 45% off the Magic Mind bundle with Simma's exclusive link: (Support mental health services for the homeless and low-income communities) Are you ready to explore the challenging topics of race and reconciliation? In this episode of 'Everyday Conversations on Race,' hosted by Simma Lieberman, we dive deep into the initiatives of the Descendants Truth and Reconciliation Foundation. Guests Monique Trusclair Maddox and Fr. Tim Kesicki, SJ, share their compelling stories and the foundation's mission to address the historical injustices of Jesuit-owned...
info_outline
Can Individuals Really End Racism?
Everyday Conversations on Race
Summary: In this episode of Everyday Conversations on Race, Simma Lieberman is joined by Dr. Joe-Joe McManus and Juan Lopez, two individuals who share their experiences and insights into anti-racism and building true, meaningful interracial relationships. The conversation focuses on the importance of talking about race, the difference between being "non-racist" and "anti-racist," and how everyone can take small actions to fight racism. The episode highlights the need for intentional relationships across cultures and races, the significance of sharing personal stories, and the long-term process...
info_outline
How do Indigenous Native American and Kenyan cultures connect?
Everyday Conversations on Race
In this exciting episode of Everyday Conversations on Race, host Simma Lieberman brings together Karen Waukazoo, a Rosebud Sioux tribe member and advocate for American Indians, and Jennifer Ngure, a Kenyan-born wellness coach, to discuss the profound ways culture connects and heals communities. Karen and Jennifer share their personal journeys of overcoming addiction, mental health challenges, and cultural shocks. They reveal surprising commonalities between Native American and Kenyan cultures, emphasizing the importance of community, traditional healing practices, and the role of...
info_outline
Breaking Bias with Anu Gupta
Everyday Conversations on Race
In this conversation on race, Anu Gupta talks about race, bias, and solutions. Anu Gupta thinks we are all biased, and that we all need to be "Breaking Bias," every day. In this episode, he shares his story of how other people's bias almost caused him to take his life. Anu Gupta is a renowned meditation teacher, human rights lawyer, scientist, and author of the book "Breaking Bias.'" The discussion centers around the profound impact of biases, including Anu's personal experiences with racial 'othering' and post-9/11 Islamophobia, which led to his severe mental health struggles. He...
info_outline
How Can Art Eliminate Racism?
Everyday Conversations on Race
How can art bring people together in a world divided by race and culture? In this episode of "Everyday Conversations on Race," we explore how creativity can break down walls and build genuine relationships across cultures. Meet two artists who use their craft to challenge boundaries and connect communities. Carlos “Kookie” Gonzalez, a Chicano artist and former gang member, shares his journey from the streets of San Francisco to becoming a renowned muralist. Carlos reveals how he turned his life around through art and now brings people together through community murals that tell the stories...
info_outline
Growing Up Biracial in a White World: Desiree Chang's Journey of Identity and Race
Everyday Conversations on Race
Imagine how you would feel if you were a biracial child raised by your white mother and knew nothing about your Black father or his culture. People treated you differently from your white cousins and the white kids at school, but you didn’t know why. In this Everyday Conversation on Race episode Desiree Chang, the Director of Education and Outreach for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, joins me. Desiree shares her unique journey growing up in a mostly white community in Amish country, Pennsylvania, and later moving to a diverse high school in Delaware. She opens up...
info_outline
Will Music Transcend Racial Divides?
Everyday Conversations on Race
Join Simma the Inclusionist in this episode of "Everyday Conversations on Race" as she discusses how culture connects us. The episode features special guests Kaati Gaffney and Ashel Seasunz Eldridge, who have extensive musical backgrounds. Discover how music shapes their perspectives on race and inclusion. Tune in for insightful conversations and engaging discussions on the power of culture to bring people together. Key Moments: [00:00:47] Music as a Cultural Connector. [00:05:01] Cultural unity and division. [00:09:13] Growing up in diverse communities. [00:17:01] Why talk about race?...
info_outline
Racial Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Death
Everyday Conversations on Race
Why is there an increase in young people dying from Colorectal Cancer? Why are young people dying at a greater rate than anyone else? Are people under 50 too young to get colorectal cancer? In this episode of "Everyday Conversations on Race," Simma Lieberman, The Inclusionist, is joined by Lisa Hall, Senior Director of Prevention and Screening at the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, and Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. They tell us why so many people are being diagnosed too late, and why more non-white people are dying compared to white people. Michael shares his personal...
info_outlineImagine how you would feel if you were a biracial child raised by your white mother and knew nothing about your Black father or his culture. People treated you differently from your white cousins and the white kids at school, but you didn’t know why.
In this Everyday Conversation on Race episode Desiree Chang, the Director of Education and Outreach for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, joins me. Desiree shares her unique journey growing up in a mostly white community in Amish country, Pennsylvania, and later moving to a diverse high school in Delaware. She opens up about the challenges of finding her identity, feeling like an outlier in her family and community, and discovering her Black heritage in her mid-30s.
Desiree talks about her career path, from working in probation and parole supervision, and drug and alcohol counseling, to her current role in civil rights advocacy. Hear her story. and why she believes it’s essential to talk openly about race, and how avoiding these conversations can hurt children and keep ignorance alive.
She shares personal stories about the emotional toll of constantly switching between cultural norms, the trauma of navigating a white-dominated world, and the necessity of preparing Black children for the realities they may face. Desiree also offers practical advice for white listeners on how to educate themselves about race and support efforts toward equity and inclusion.
Key themes in our conversation include the importance of cultural humility, the impact of microaggressions, the need for genuine allyship, and how education can foster understanding and change. Desiree's honest reflections encourage listeners to think about their own experiences and biases, making this episode meaningful for anyone interested in social justice and personal growth.
Tune in to hear Desiree Chang's powerful story and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of race, identity, and advocacy today. This episode will leave you reflecting on your role in creating a more inclusive and equitable world.
Desireé Chang bio
Desireé Chang serves as the Director of Education & Outreach for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. Desireé has been with the PHRC for over four years. Prior to becoming the Director of Education & Outreach, she worked as a Civil Rights Mediator with the PHRC Mediation Division. During her tenure at the PHRC, Desireé has received the Director of Excellence Award (2020), PHRC Social Justice Team Award (2021) and the Employee of the Year, Central Office (2023). Most recently, she was recognized as one of the 2024 PA City & State Above & Beyond honorees. She is a graduate of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Institute (2021) and the Commonwealth Leadership Institute (2023). Desireé has been recognized for her participation on several committees and community social justice collaborative efforts.
Click here to DONATE and support our podcast
Simma Lieberman The Inclusionist, helps leaders create inclusive cultures. She is a consultant, speaker, and facilitator. Simma is the creator and host of the podcast, “Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People.”
Contact [email protected] to get more information, book her as a speaker for your next event, help you become a more inclusive leader, or facilitate dialogues across differences.
Go to www.simmalieberman.com and www.raceconvo.com for more information
Simma is a member of and inspired by the global organization IAC (Inclusion Allies Coalition)
Connect with me:
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter
LinkedIn
Tiktok
Website
Previous Episodes