How our understanding of our own identity, race, ethnicity can change and how we can advocate to be seen as all of our parts and not only the most obvious. Acclaimed playwright, actor and author of the books, "Incognito: An American Odyssey of Race and Self-Discovery" and "Nobody Wants to Talk About It; Race, Identity and the Difficulties in Forging Meaningful Conversations”, Michael Fosberg has written about his lived experience around race and identity. See, Michael found out well into his life, that his father was African American. This wouldn’t seem odd except Michael doesn’t quite fit the physical profile of a biracial person. On this Black History Month episode of Man Versus Brand, we discuss the often unspoken experience of identity revelation, specifically as it relates to finding out you are black. What does that look and feel like? I don’t know but Michael is here to share his story, engage in meaningful conversation and we are glad for it. We also talk about how his experience has informed his artistic and diversity/inclusion work. It’s not one to miss. Check out this episode now.

Quote of the Episode:

“When I first did the play, I just thought I was telling my story. I didn’t really think about the implications because they are just so many different things. The story is just as much about family secrets as it is about privilege as it is about race as it is about all these other things. Every family has a secret. I’ve found that out. - On the topic of writing the works on race, identity and Michael’s lived experience.

Topics Covered:

• Race


• Identity


• Reconciliation and Forgiveness


• Perception


• Finding Community


• Self-love

Guest: Michael Fosberg

website: incognitotheplay.com

podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/incognito-the-podcast/id1614270059

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/michael-fosberg-670b216/

Michael’s Top Picks:

guest watch/read/listen recommendation:

The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together Heather McGhee

https://www.amazon.com/Sum-Us-Everyone-Prosper-Together/dp/0525509569

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents  by Isabel Wilkerson

https://www.amazon.com/Caste-Origins-Discontents-Isabel-Wilkerson/dp/0593230256

How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith

https://www.amazon.com/How-Word-Passed-Reckoning-History/dp/0316492930

Jazz: Documentary by Ken Burns

https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/jazz/

guest secret watch/read/listen: Historical Document Collection

https://www.collectorsweekly.com/advertising/black-memorabilia

Host: Deeon Brown

website: deeonbrown.com

website: projectbigbrand.com/

linkedin: linkedin.com/in/deeon-brown-6b747b43/

Instagram: instagram.com/bestdeeonever/

Man Versus Brand:

website: manversusbrand.com

instagram: instagram.com/manversusbrand/