Identity Unboxed

The Power of the River with Ed Taylor

On this special episode of Identity Unboxed, we sat with Dr. Ed Taylor, Professor at the University of Washington College of Education and Dean and Vice Provost, at UW Undergraduate Academic Affairs, as he discussed his new memoir, ‘The Power of the River’. Ed takes readers on a journey from Lompoc, California, through a childhood marked with loss but grounded in the love and support of family and community, to a singular moment that changed everything for a boy set up by the system to be a cog in the machine.

Tiana's Narratives — Multitudes of Blackness

In our bonus episode of Identity Unboxed, ‘Occupying Opposing Worlds — Blackness, Identity, and Class,’ Tiana sat on the other side of the interview table as Brad interviewed her about her personal journey, as told through various narratives she has written over the past few years. This episode is a compilation of Tiana narrating short stories: “Don’t Touch My Hair”, "Lineage," and “The Little Black Cowgirl." “Amidst the Pews” - This piece explores her relationship with religion as a young Black girl embedded in the Evangelical Lutheran church amidst the pews of a nearly exclusively white congregation. “Don’t Touch My Hair” - This piece captures the beauty of Blackness and the struggle in the journey of truly feeling that Black is beautiful through the connection to Black hair as an extension of her identity. “Lineage” -  This piece explores the significance of Black ancestral legacies and their influence in the pursuit of liberation and social justice. “The Little Black Cowgirl” - This piece explores her experience immersed in the world of equestrianism as a young Black girl and delves into the role of Black culture in shaping this space throughout history since its inception. By unearthing my culture, she shares her journey in finding her identity and footing in a space that has precluded Black contributions. From Tiana: Thank you to our listeners who encouraged us to create this episode, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to share about nourishing mental health, finding confidence and community, and embracing vulnerability as strength. I am appreciative of Brad for holding this space where I was empowered to share my most unapologetic self. I hope that this conversation reaches someone and helps them in some way. 🤎

Occupying Opposing Worlds — Blackness, Identity, and Class with Tiana Cole

In this bonus episode of Identity Unboxed, we flip the script. Co-host Brad steps into the interviewer’s seat for an intimate conversation with Tiana, exploring her personal journey through the lens of her writing. Together, they unpack the experiences behind her narratives — “Amidst the Pews,” “Lineage,” “The Little Black Cowgirl,” and “Don’t Touch My Hair.” This deeply reflective episode offers insight into Tiana’s evolving connection to her Blackness and the rich history and culture that shape it.

Tactics of the Oppressor: Learning from Our Past to Inform the Present

This Black History Month, we are grateful to explore Black history on our inaugural ‘Legacy Lens’ series. The education system frequently gives us a watered-down version of Black history and minimizes our contributions. Many states have already banned and restricted books on Black history. We have always been here and are determined to remind others that our history will not be forgotten.  Biography: George “Conscious” Lee is a dynamic orator, innovator, educator, and influential content creator whose work sits at the intersection of media, socio-political issues, and popular culture. Purposefully provocative, he uses this approach to educate on topics like oppression and intersectionality, translating complex ideas for audiences from Gen Z to Baby Boomers. He believes transformation starts with consciousness, using dialogue to uncover what needs change. Born in Bryan, Texas, Lee overcame childhood adversity to graduate from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s and two Master’s degrees. He made history as part of the first African-American duo to become the number-one seed at the National Debate Tournament, innovatively using hip-hop in arguments. Lee’s blend of academic expertise and cultural mastery fuels his impactful work through his podcasts, public lectures, keynotes and workshops. Lee believes: You cannot change what you don’t know needs to be changed. His work aids people in uncovering what needs to be changed and equips them with the tools on how to change. The starting point is “consciousness.” His style provokes dialogue and conflict meant to inspire transformation. Lee has developed a brand of educational entertainment that translates an understanding of oppression, consciousness, intersectionality, and gender identity to both the TikTok generation and baby Boomers alike..  With over 5 million dedicated followers, Lee’s influence is globally recognized. He is a two time NAACP Image Award Nominee, recipient of YouTube’s Content Creator Choice Award, an International Webby Award Nominee and a grantee of YouTube’s Black Voices Fund. His insights have been featured in major publications from Rolling Stone and Forbes to The New York Times and Business Insider.   His views have garnered millions of views and been featured in Rolling Stone, Forbes, Essence, the Washington Post, Yahoo Life, The Atlantic, Business Insider, and The New York Times. In addition to being on the Content Advisory Board for The Fanbase App, he’s partnered with organizations including YouTube, TikTok, BET, NAACP, and many more! In his free time, Lee enjoys traveling, attending trail rides in rural Texas, and creating memories with his family. Career Advice: “Be consistent and execute the plan, even when you don't feel like it.”

Through the Lens of Us: Framing the Future of Film with Aaron Chapman

This Black History Month, we are grateful to explore Black history on our inaugural ‘Legacy Lens’ series. The education system frequently gives us a watered-down version of Black history and minimizes our contributions. Many states have already banned and restricted books on Black history. We have always been here and are determined to remind others that our history will not be forgotten.  Biography: Aaron Chapman is an award-winning director known for his ability to uncover humanity and emotion behind sport, culture, and storytelling. A former Division I football player at the University of Washington, he draws on his firsthand experience as an athlete to craft cinematic narratives that balance raw authenticity with striking visual artistry. Chapman’s work spans commercial, branded, and documentary filmmaking, with clients including Nike, Adidas, Meta, AT&T, NFL, and many more. He has directed compelling projects featuring some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, including Mark Wahlberg, LeBron James, and Don Cheadle. His ability to capture the personal struggles, triumphs, and identity shifts of high-level competitors has made his work resonate across audiences. In addition to commercial directing, Chapman has established himself in documentary filmmaking. His debut short documentary, Mr. 50, which he single-handedly directed, filmed, and edited, was a Best Short Documentary, Best First-Time Director, and Best Editing Nominee at Indie Shorts Fest 2021, exploring NBA star Aaron Gordon’s journey to the historic 2020 NBA Dunk Contest. His latest documentary, Against All Odds: Sidney Jones IV, premiered in 2024 and won Best Documentary Short at the New York International Film Awards, highlighting the resilience of an NFL player overcoming adversity. Chapman’s work has seen wins at Cannes Lions, The One Show, D&AD, and the New York International Film Awards. Based in Los Angeles and San Francisco, he continues to push creative boundaries, shaping stories that bridge sport, culture, and human resilience. Career Advice: “I care less about hype and more about momentum. If you’re consistent, intentional, and obsessed with quality, the results eventually compound.”