As children, we all want to feel accepted/secure, special, loved, and born with purpose.

The most fundamental is a sense of belonging.

How do we support children in finding their voice in their identity when theirs isn’t as “black and white” or colorless as their current culture climate dictates to them? How do we establish an open dialogue with our children that celebrates those different identities? 

We are excited to announce that the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) is hosting Farzana Nayani, a leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Specialist (DEI) on Tuesday, April 20th to discuss her newest book, Raising Multiracial Children: Tools for Nurturing Identity in a Racialized World. This free webinar is part of our Inclusive Leadership Series and is hosted by Elizabeth Yang, Board Member and Immediate Past President of NAAAP National. Elizabeth and Farzana will dive into the particulars of Farzana's book as they discuss the initial conversations of racial identity development and practical tips and tools that cultivate a sense of belonging. 

Come join us as we celebrate our children with multiracial and multiethnic backgrounds. Together we can foster the next generation of empathetic leaders who will change the narrative of race color-blindness in our everyday dialogues. 

Raising Multiracial Children gives caregivers the tools for exploring race with their children, offering practical guidance on how to initiate conversations; consciously foster racial identity development; discuss issues like microaggressions, intersectionality, and privilege; and intentionally cultivate a sense of belonging. It provides an overview of key issues and current topics relevant to raising multiracial children and offers strategies and developmentally appropriate milestones from infancy through adulthood. The book ends with resources and references for further learning and exploration.

Author - Farzana Nayani

Farzana Nayani is a recognized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion specialist, business and strategy coach, and international keynote speaker. She has worked with Fortune 500 corporations, public agencies, higher education institutions, school districts, and non-profit organizations as a consultant and trainer on diversity and inclusion, intercultural communication, supplier diversity, and employee engagement.

Farzana’s advisory work with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), small business advocacy, and entrepreneurship, and racial equity & inclusion has taken her to engagements across North America, from the White House to Silicon Valley. Farzana’s expertise has been featured in media outlets such as Forbes, DiversityInc, Parents magazine, NPR, the Washington Post, the LA Times, and the award-nominated podcast Earn Your Leisure. Her new book Raising Multiracial Children: Tools for Nurturing Identity in a Racialized World with North Atlantic Books was released in 2020, distributed by Penguin Random House. Connect with Farzana through news and updates by visiting: www.farzananayani.com or via social media channels @farzananayani.

Host - Elizabeth Yang

Elizabeth is an entrepreneur, founded her Law and Mediation Practice in Los Angeles in 2011, and opened three stores of Magical Playground. Elizabeth has been practicing law since 2007 and specializes in Intellectual Property Law, including Patent, Copyright and Trademark Prosecution and Litigation; Business Law, and also Family Law. Prior to her law practice, Elizabeth worked at both Raytheon and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab designing electronic circuits. She also serves as a Commissioner for the City of Monterey Park Design Review Board, a member of the Executive Board of Governors of the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association, and also a Member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. Her awards include Super Lawyers Rising Star (2017) and Top 100 Lawyers (2016-2017) by National Trial Lawyers. Recently, she co-authored a book, “The Big Secret” with Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup for the Soul).

Elizabeth has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from UC Berkeley, a JD cum laude from the University of La Verne College of Law, and recently a MBA from the University of La Verne. Elizabeth is married to Phil Cheng and has a daughter Liliana and son Alexander. She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.