ROOTS

Rising Out Of Two Stories
Ages 15-17 (Teens)

My Identity Journey So Far

Intended Outcome: Teens reflect on past experiences that have shaped their sense of racial identity and begin developing a narrative framework for who they are becoming.

 

• Encourages exploration of pivotal moments, influences, and internal questions.

• Supports self-awareness of how identity has shifted—or stayed the same—over time.

• Validates the nonlinear, evolving nature of biracial identity development.

• Fosters openness, honesty, and creative expression through journaling, art, and group discussion.

​Invisible & Hypervisible at the Same Time

Intended Outcome: Teens unpack the experience of being seen and unseen simultaneously—how their racial identity is ignored, questioned, or spotlighted in ways that impact their sense of safety and worth.

 

• Explores how biracial teens are often tokenized, misread, or erased in different spaces.

• Encourages honest reflection on when they feel most visible or invisible.

• Builds understanding of how societal gaze and internal self-perception interact.

• Supports development of tools for reclaiming narrative, space, and voice.

​Racial Politics at School & Online

Intended Outcome: Teens examine how race shows up in school settings, friend groups, and digital spaces—and explore their role in navigating, challenging, or protecting themselves within those dynamics.

 

• Identifies coded language, power structures, and racial dynamics in school life and social media.

• Supports healthy discernment between debate, harm, and education fatigue.

• Builds tools for disengagement, boundary setting, and advocacy when needed.

• Reinforces digital and real-world integrity: showing up aligned with one’s truth.

​Internalized Messages & Racial Expectations

Intended Outcome: Teens examine internalized ideas they’ve absorbed from family, media, and society—and begin identifying which beliefs are theirs and which need to be challenged or released.

 

• Unpacks messages about beauty, behavior, success, and belonging tied to race.

• Encourages reflection on how those messages live in their bodies, thoughts, and relationships.

• Supports development of personal values that reflect their truth—not just cultural programming.

• Builds self-trust and agency in naming and unlearning internalized narratives.

​Family Dynamics and Tension

Intended Outcome: Teens explore how family expectations, cultural differences, and silence around race shape their identity and create emotional conflict—and begin identifying boundaries, truths, and sources of support.

 

• Validates complex feelings teens hold around parents, extended family, and chosen family.

• Builds awareness of unspoken rules, pressures, and generational divides.

• Supports courageous communication and compassionate reflection.

• Helps teens begin navigating tension without abandoning themselves.

​Naming Bias, Including Our Own

Intended Outcome: Teens begin identifying how bias shows up in others—and within themselves—and explore ways to move through discomfort toward awareness and growth.

 

• Introduces implicit bias, internalized racism, and unconscious beliefs in accessible ways.

• Encourages reflection on how social conditioning has influenced their own thoughts and choices.

• Builds capacity to hold complexity without shame.

• Offers tools for accountability, learning, and self-compassion.

​Performance, Protection, and Power

Intended Outcome: Teens explore the ways they perform or shrink aspects of their identity to stay safe or fit in—and begin reclaiming personal power and authenticity.

 

• Encourages reflection on masking, code-switching, and managing impressions.

• Supports discussion around safety, assimilation, and emotional labor.

• Builds tools for identity integrity and boundary-setting.

• Affirms that real power lies in showing up whole, not perfect.

​Safe Space vs. Real Space

Intended Outcome: Teens examine the difference between spaces that feel safe and spaces where they can show up fully—and explore what they need to create and protect both.

 

• Encourages nuanced thinking about emotional safety and authentic expression.

• Supports reflection on where they hide or reveal parts of their identity.

• Builds skills for creating affirming spaces with friends, family, and within themselves.

• Affirms that safety isn’t always given—it’s something they can help shape and claim.

Self-Advocacy & Emotional Boundaries

​Intended Outcome: Teens practice advocating for their needs and values—while maintaining emotional boundaries and honoring their energy.

 

• Supports recognition of what drains or strengthens their well-being.

• Builds vocabulary for saying no, stepping back, or asking for change.

• Reinforces that self-advocacy isn’t confrontation—it’s care.

• Encourages role-play, journaling, and reflection around real-life scenarios.

​Decoding History & Reclaiming Voice

Intended Outcome: Teens explore how history—personal, family, and national—has shaped their experience and begin reclaiming the power to tell their story on their terms.

 

• Encourages critical reflection on racial history and generational legacy.

• Builds awareness of whose stories have been told, erased, or distorted.

• Supports creative ways to reframe and reclaim personal and collective narrative.

• Reinforces that healing often begins with understanding the past and choosing what to carry forward.

Biracial Joy & Celebration

Intended Outcome: Teens explore joy as a vital part of their identity—celebrating the beauty, brilliance, and strength that comes with being biracial.

 

• Encourages reflection on personal and cultural sources of joy.

• Offers tools for reclaiming joy as resistance to deficit-based narratives.

• Validates joy in everyday moments: music, friendships, traditions, creativity.

• Supports pride, playfulness, and gratitude as part of healing and identity integration.

Creativity, Healing, and Movement

Intended Outcome: Teens engage in embodied and expressive practices—like art, music, journaling, or movement—that promote healing and integration of their identity.

 

• Encourages emotional release and expression through non-verbal modalities.

• Supports connection to self and culture through sensory and creative pathways.

• Reinforces healing as nonlinear, personal, and often joyful.

• Validates multiple forms of wisdom—beyond language or debate.

Leading From the Middle

Intended Outcome: Teens explore what it means to lead from an in-between place—navigating systems, relationships, and expectations while staying rooted in their truth.

 

• Encourages reflection on the unique leadership perspective of biracial individuals.

• Supports naming gifts that come from cultural bridging, emotional depth, and complex perspective.

• Builds confidence in leading with integrity, vulnerability, and voice.

• Reinforces that leadership doesn’t require perfection—just presence and courage.

What I Want to Carry Forward

Intended Outcome: Teens identify the beliefs, practices, and parts of themselves they want to carry into the future—and begin releasing what no longer serves their growth.

 

• Encourages reflection on internal shifts and lessons learned.

• Supports naming affirming identities, mindsets, and relationships.

• Builds confidence in letting go of guilt, shame, or outdated expectations.

• Reinforces that identity is a practice—not a performance—and growth includes release.

​Collective Ritual & Release

Intended Outcome: Teens close the journey with intentional reflection, creative sharing, and a collective ritual that honors their growth, identity, and transformation.

 

• Reinforces the sacredness of their story and space in the community.

• Encourages personal expression through poetry, letters, art, or voice.

• Supports naming what they’re releasing and what they’re choosing to carry forward.

• Closes with ritual, affirmation, and celebration of each participant’s wisdom and courage.