Episode 35: Misasha Suzuki Graham & Sara Blanchard: An open discussion on diversity and racism and what we can do as parents

Racism is a hot topic, and today we are having an open discussion on raising kids and being a parent in a diverse world with guests Misasha Suzuki and Sara Blanchard!

A graduate of Harvard College and Columbia Law School, Misasha Suzuki Graham has been a practicing litigator for over 15 years and is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession as well as in her communities. 

She is a facilitator, writer, and speaker regarding issues of racial justice, especially with regards to children, the co-author of Dear White Women: Let’s Get (Un)comfortable Talking About Racism, and the co-host of Dear White Women, a social justice podcast. Misasha, who is biracial (Japanese and White), is married to a Black man and is the proud mom of two very active multiracial young boys. They live in the Bay Area of California with their largely indifferent cat.

Sara Blanchard helps build community and connection through conscious conversations, which she does as a facilitator, TEDx speaker, writer, and consultant. 

After graduating from Harvard and working at Goldman Sachs, Sara pursued the science and techniques of well-being and is a certified life coach, author of two books (Flex Mom and Dear White Women: Let’s Get (Un)comfortable Talking About Racism), and co-host of Dear White Women, an award-winning weekly social justice podcast. Sara is biracial (Japanese and White), married to a White Canadian man, and is raising their two White-presenting girls to be compassionate, thoughtful advocates. They live in Denver, Colorado with their incredibly lovable dog.

In today’s episode, we not only discuss racism, diversity, and families but as parents what can we do to help our children be able to talk about our differences, while still accepting and honoring them?

They also talk about their podcast and book, Dear White Women, why they wrote it, and what it’s all about!

Kids nowadays are like sponges and are seeing the world adapt. They see so much more than we did growing up. So many children have access to devices and the internet, and so questions may be coming at you faster than you expect about these kinds of topics. So it’s important to keep open communication, and not bury your head in the sand. As parents, we need to be active in playing a part and having a positive influence on our children. 

These topics are not a one conversation deal, so please go tune into their podcast, Dear White Women to continue gaining knowledge on these topics!


You can find out more about Misasha & Sara here.

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julie hatch