Thank you for visiting Intersect Race. On this site, you’ll find more information about me, information about services I provide through Intentional Design Consulting, and blog articles exploring privilege, implications of our intersecting ideas, and racial equity.
First, a little more about me:
My name is Sheely Mauck. I was born in India, use a wheelchair due to having had polio as an infant, and have lived in the Puget Sound region of Washington State since I was adopted at age four.
I have spent the past few years developing and facilitating workshops on structural racism and cultural responsiveness, specifically targeted towards those who are working with young people in afterschool and youth development programs. While I have lived experience as an adopted, Asian American who uses a wheelchair, I should also share that I was adopted by two white parents, and have essentially grown up in white culture. My personal racial equity journey began about 10 years ago when I first attended a training on structural racism hosted by School’s Out Washington. This journey has included attending trainings, independent reading, participating in caucuses, developing workshops on race, engaging in ongoing conversations on personal and organizational levels, and more.
So, why did I start Intersect Race?
As I reflected on who most of my family and friends are, I realized, though I am not white, I have access to a large audience of white people, and yet I have only explicitly talked with a small fraction of them about anything related to race. I have these conversations with strangers on a regular basis for work yet have never seemed to actively talk with those in my personal circles. I admit I am uncomfortable and a little weary of opening this door, and yet, I acknowledge it has been my privilege to have been able to leave it closed for so long. Ultimately, I hope this space can be a place for all of us, with our multitude of identities, to learn and explore the intersections of race. Thank you for joining me on this journey.