Hannah Liu
About Hannah Liu
Hannah Liu is an author, teacher, DEI advocate, and founder of the Mixed Identity Initiative, which provides resources and mentorship to help adolescents embrace their multifaceted heritages. With a Taiwanese father and a Jewish mother, her experience growing up between two worlds helped shape her journey as a DEI leader, and her passion for working with students and helping them to come into their identities with pride and joy. Today, Hannah works as a DEI specialist at the Pingree School in Massachusetts, and has previously taught at New Canaan Country School in New Canaan, Connecticut, as well as at Reach Prep and A Better Chance.
Mixed: A Self-Guided Journal for Identity Development
“Mixed” by Hannah Liu is a dynamic workbook and journaling guide designed for middle and high school students of mixed race or multiracial backgrounds, offering them a space to explore and celebrate their unique identities. The author, who is of Asian and Jewish heritage, weaves in her personal experiences and the stories of students and adults she has worked with over the years, providing rich lessons on what it means to navigate the world as a multiracial person. While designed for students, the book is also a valuable resource for educators and caregivers looking to foster discussions on identity, community, and belonging.
Liu acknowledges the complexities of living between multiple cultures, reminding readers that they are not fractions of anything, but whole, authentic individuals. Code-switching, a common experience for many multiracial people, is explored as both a tool for survival and a skill for navigating various cultural spaces. The book also touches on breaking generational cycles of whitewashing and assimilation, empowering future generations to fully embrace the diversity within their families and cultures.
Throughout the book, readers will find journaling prompts and introspective activities aimed at helping them reflect on their own history, heritage, and cultural traditions. These prompts encourage self-discovery, guiding young readers to understand their roots, set boundaries, and consider how their backgrounds can be both a source of strength and a lens for facing challenges in their everyday lives. With the increasing number of multiracial people in the United States, this compelling workbook is a much-needed resource for young multiracial individuals to discover joy, resilience, and pride in their mixed identities.
