On Being Biracial: A Conversation

On Being Biracial is a podcast hosted by journalists Daralyse Lyons and Malcolm Burnley exploring the complexities of biracial experiences and identities in the U.S. over the course of 10 episodes. Having interviewed guests in a range of fields and areas of expertise, Burnley and Lyons sought to amplify the depth and variety of biracial experiences while also identifying overlapping patterns.

Now, Burnley and Lyons take these insightful conversations live for an in-person event to discuss themes in the podcast and create space and connection for people who identify as biracial or multiracial.

Join Burnley, Lyons, and a panel of voices from the podcast at Temple University for a frank and probing conversation about how perceptions and experiences of multiracial people’s identities have shaped their lives. The conversation will be preceded by a reception with light bites and a cash bar followed by a networking mixer with panelists and guests.

On Being Biracial is produced in partnership with Philadelphia Journalism Collaborative, Kouvenda Media, and WURD Radio.

Featured Guests

Evan Fong Jaroff is the owner/operator of Chibanos, a Chinese-Cuban sandwich shop and mixed-race space that he is launching in Philadelphia. As a Chinese, Cuban, Russian American, he is passionate about exploring and understanding identity, how individuals define themselves, and how one’s identity is shaped by society. As a new father, he is learning a new meaning for the words patience, tired, and love.

Prior to launching Chibanos, Evan worked in London as a VP of Investment Operations at Capital Group, a global investment management organization. He led multiple teams and partnered globally to set the people, process, and technology strategy for each group. He was an active member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts at Capital, as well as a co-founder of the European Mental Health Community. Prior to Capital Group, Evan served as an English Teaching Assistant in Madrid, Spain, as a US Fulbright Scholar.

Ashanti Martin is a veteran media professional with extensive experience in writing, strategic communications, and integrated marketing. She is currently General Manager at WURD Radio in Philadelphia. WURD is the only independent Black-owned talk radio station in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and just one of three remaining in the United States. As GM, Ashanti is responsible for the overall profitability and management of the station’s operations. She serves as a primary spokesperson for the organization and oversees programming, content, production, and marketing and strategic partnerships.

Ashanti began her career as a newspaper reporter at The Record of Bergen County in North Jersey, where her beats included local and county government, police, crime, and the courthouse. She transitioned to higher education communications with roles at Rutgers University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Wharton School. In 2020, Ashanti authored a widely hailed article on Black LinkedIn for the Sunday Business section of The New York Times that galvanized a movement to transform the workplace experience for Black and other marginalized communities. She and her work have been featured in numerous publications including Forbes, NPR, Reuters and USA Today.

Dr. Kimberly Ortiz-Hartman is a multicultural psychologist, mother, wife, and children’s book author. She has worked in many facets of mental health from residential care, community clinics, non-public schools, as a clinical supervisor, and in private practices. Dr. Ortiz has worked as a clinical director of a substance abuse treatment facility, as an advocate and health care educator of prenatal/ postpartum health struggles, and with everyone from individuals, families, couples and children. Dr. Ortiz has specialized training in trauma treatments such as EMDR, and TFCBT, in DBT, and Narrative Therapy.

Dr. Ortiz has written for professional psychology journals and was the lead editor for a sociological encyclopedia series. Dr Ortiz’s graduate studies revolved around social justice, exploring impacts of race, oppression, and specifically the multiracial/ multicultural experience. Dr. Ortiz’s personal experience as a multicultural person motivated her to complete her doctoral dissertation on the biracial identity experience, specifically from a three generational perspective. Based on her research, Dr. Ortiz completed her passion project writing a children’s book. Alexa, What Color Are You? is a loving and colorful story of a young girl exploring her racial identity, providing children, families, and communities with open language to embrace race, differences, and multiracial identity.

Sarabella Rocha is a tailor and artist based in Mt. Airy who has over a decade of garment industry experience from LA to Brooklyn. They are happy to be back in Philly where they opened their first tailor shop, celebrating their 3rd year working with West Philly’s cineSpeak programs, and collaborated in the creation of Mt. Airy’s Dyke Dance…which more to come!

On Being Biracial Creators

Daralyse Lyons, aka the Transformational Storyteller, is a Biracial journalist, actor, and activist who has made it her mission to stand for a more integrated world. After writing an award-winning children’s book (I’m Mixed!) about embracing her multiethnic heritage, she found her passion and her purpose in empowering others to embrace all aspects of themselves. She has written and spoken extensively about all dimensions of diversity, and feels tremendous gratitude for the opportunity to use her seemingly disparate background as a catalyst for cross-cultural understanding.

Her TEDx Talk “Black or White? Refusing to Choose & Embracing Biracial Identity” encourages individuals to embrace their own conceptions of themselves, rather than adhering to the mandates of a broken society. She is grateful for the opportunity to explore the experiences of other multiracial folx, and to amplify their voices.

Malcolm Burnley is an independent journalist, radio host, and podcaster based in Philadelphia. A decade ago, he published his first-ever radio story for NPR about a lost Malcolm X speech that he uncovered 50 years after its disappearance. Since then, his byline has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, POLITICO, Philly Mag, and many other publications. In 2019, he published a cover story for TIME magazine. He’s been a guest host for WHYY’s Radio Times, WURD’s Reality Check, and more radio programs. He’s also hosted and produced several acclaimed podcasts, including “AI Nation” and “The Missionary.” He’s an adjunct instructor at Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication. Born in Staten Island, NY, to a Black father and white mother, questions surrounding racial identity — his own and that of others — have been a central theme of his life and journalistic pursuits.