What Are You Mixed With? Navigating Anti-Blackness, White Supremacy & Light-Skinned Privilege with Dr. Wendy Ashley

Episode 190

In this intimate and deeply necessary conversation, we’re joined by Dr. Wendy Ashley — a nationally recognized Black and biracial clinician, professor, author, change agent, and Department Chair of the MSW program at Cal State Northridge.

Her current book is a bold act of reclamation: a vulnerable exploration of biracial identity, anti-Blackness, white supremacy, and light-skinned privilege — and the healing that becomes possible when we stop suppressing our truths.

Together, we unpack identity, belonging, silences within families, colorism, community tension, and the emotional labor of navigating a world that demands monoracial clarity.

Dreamers… this one will sit with you.

✨ In This Episode We Explore

• What it really feels like to grow up biracial in a world demanding monoracial clarity — the isolation, identity confusion, and early pressure to “read” how others see you.

• The hidden silences inside biracial families — especially being raised by a white mother who never discussed race, and the emotional cost of navigating whiteness without language or protection.

• Anti-Blackness, white supremacy, and light-skinned privilege — how these forces shape belonging, community dynamics, and why many Black women test or police biracial identity.

• Global Blackness and identity abroad — how traveling to Toronto, Lisbon, and South Africa reveals cultural differences in how “Blackness” is defined, understood, and embodied.

• Reclaiming identity after decades of shrinking — Dr. Ashley’s journey to stop apologizing, stop performing, take up space, and live fully as a Black biracial woman in all her complexity.

💬 Powerful Moments

“I don’t have to justify my belonging. I don’t have to translate my existence for people who don’t understand it.”

“I spent 50 years thinking these stories were just mine… then I learned how many people were lonely inside their identity.”

“Living fully means I’m no longer disappearing. I take up space — with all my complexity.”

🌟 About Today’s Guest — Dr. Wendy Ashley

Dr. Wendy Ashley, Psy.D., LCSW is a Black and biracial clinician, professor, author, and Department Chair of the Master of Social Work program at California State University, Northridge. Renowned for her work in antiracist clinical practice, intersectionality, and trauma-informed care, she bridges scholarship, service, and healing.

Her new book is an act of reclamation — breaking silence, building community, and inviting deeper understanding of biracial identity.

Website: https://www.drwendyashley.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drwendyashley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drwendyashley Purchase: What Are You Mixed With? Navigating Anti-Blackness, White Supremacy and Light-Skinned Privilege — https://amzn.to/4oDlyAH

💫 About the Host – Deneen L. Garrett

Deneen L. Garrett is a Cultural Alchemist, International Speaker, Dream Lifestyle™ Coach, Writer, and host of Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation — a 100 Best Women’s Empowerment podcast amplifying the voices, stories, and journeys of Women of Color.

A Who’s Who in Black Detroit Notable Professional, Deneen is recognized for her cultural leadership, storytelling, and her unwavering commitment to empowering Black Women to design and live their Dream Lives™ — boldly, joyfully, and without apology.

A former Diversity & Inclusion leader at AT&T, she now leads Deneen L. Garrett LLC, where she merges art, culture, narrative, and empowerment to guide Black Women 50+ into their next bold chapter.

She also serves on multiple boards at the Detroit Institute of Arts, supporting African and African American art initiatives and advancing representation within cultural spaces.

Website: https://deneenlgarrett.com Instagram: @deneensdreamlife 📩 Contact / Speaking: Deneen@deneenlgarrett.com

🖤 Call to Action

If you’re ready to reclaim your creativity, joy, and reinvention, explore the Dream Lifestyle™ Collective — a sanctuary for Black Women 50+ ready to design and live their Dream Life™ NOW and step into their next bold chapter.

🔗 Join the quiet launch today: https://deneenlgarrett.com/dream-life-collective

💖 Before You Go

If this episode resonated with you:

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Dreamers — keep dreaming, designing, and driving the life you deserve.