Fall 2025 - Yara Shahidi, The Higher Education Issue

25% OF 2024 UNDERGRADUATES ARE FIRST-GEN STUDENTS.

- CSU SOURCE

From scholarships to enrollment to mentorship, CSU supports students who are the first in their family to attend college as they show the way for the next generation.

CSU IS ONE OF THE NATION’S TOP PUBLIC TIER 1 RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES.

- About CSU page

Driven to discover new solutions to the world’s urgent challenges, our cutting-edge research reaches beyond the lab to offer hands-on opportunities in the field.

31% OF THE INCOMING 2024 CLASS IS FROM DIVERSE POPULATIONS. - FA24 Census

CSU is setting the standard in sustainability education with a collaborative approach that’s helping shape the future of environmental stewardship.

60 THE ALCHEMIST AWARDS

Celebrating the first Alchemist Award Honorees: Yara Shahidi, Ruth Van Reken and Sheila Thomas. ALSO IN

14

GROWING UP GUPTA

Culturs presents graphic-noveltype representations of the crucial messages Nikita Gupta creates to assist those in crosscultural communities and in their relationships.

18 TRUE EDUCATION FOR LIFE

Shanthi Yogini writes about how “True Education” shapes character, cultivates wisdom and anchors the mind in timeless principles.

26 CULTURAL RECONING

Deneen L. Garrett writes about how Bahamian-born artist Tavares Strachan reimagines

CONTENTS FEATURES

Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” though a contemporary and radically inclusive lens.

36 SEND-OFF TO ADULTHOOD

Myra Dumapias writes about how parents can navigate the transition of their Third Culture Kids from secondary school to university.

48 FROM CLASSROOM TO CULTURE SHIFT

Students around the world raise awareness of the Culturs brand in prestigious university public relations competition. Meet the winners and see the 10 schools who came close

70 JOYFUL JORDAN

Exploring Jordan’s cultural diversity, historical richness and harmonious coexistence. 88 ‘KPOP DEMON HUNTERS’ A movie that exudes the cultural fluidity championed by the Culturs community.

83 Must Play: ‘The Military Kid Song’

84 Must Read: ‘Boat Baby: A Memoir’

85 Must Watch: ‘Being Bebe’ documentary on African artist Marshall Ngwa

86 Must Know: ‘Letters Now Sent’ compilation of globally mobile stories

87 Must hear: ‘The TCK Research Podcast’

Culturally Fluid Definitions

n the 21st century, assessing someone’s background from outward appearance isn’t enough as hidden, rather than visual, diversity means people increasingly bring more to the table than meets the eye.

Whether through nationality, travel, race or ethnicity, many straddle culture in myriad ways. From Cultural Fluidity, to Third Culture Kid, Expat, Third Culture Adult, Cross-Cultural Kid and more, the language to describe our in-between community is of

Cross-Cultural Kid (CCK)

A term coined by author Ruth Van Reken in 2002, is a person who is living, has lived, or meaningfully interacted with two or more cultural environments for a significant period of time during the first 18 years of life. This includes minority individuals living within majority culture.

Adult Cross-Cultural Kid (ACCK)

An adult who grew up as a Cross-Cultural Kid.

Cultural Fluidity/Cultural Mobility

A term coined by Culturs founder Donnyale Ambrosine to characterize hidden diversity created by people who don’t or didn’t grow up in a homogenous cultural environment. Culturally Fluid individuals may straddle nationalities, ethnicities, race or culture. The fluidity created allows understanding between or among their foundational areas of meaningful experience. It also may hinder sense of belonging to any one area.

Missionary Kids

Children of missionaries who travel to missions domestically or abroad.

utmost importance. Knowing the vocabulary creates understanding and deepens our sense of belonging and connections to others with similar experiences. Here’s a quick overview so you can follow along any of our articles with ease:

Third Culture Kids (TCKs)

Coined by Sociologist Ruth Useem in the 1950s as a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents’ culture. The first culture is considered an individual’s passport culture, while the second culture consists of the culture(s) in which the individual has lived. The third culture is a result of the person’s life experience; this is the culture to which they most belong. The third culture often is where individuals feel community with others of similar experience.

Domestic TCK

Children who moved to various regions within the same country while growing up, often having to re-learn ways of being, especially as regional differences in dress, speech and action are heightened in formative years when it is important to be accepted.

Adult Third Culture Kid (ATCK)

An adult who grew up as a TCK.

Third Culture Adult (TCA)

Coined in 2002 by Psychotherapist Paulette Bethel to signify individuals who travel extensively and are immersed in, or live in global locations after the age of 18 (after identity has been solidified).

Refugees

Internationally nomadic group not characterized by a parent’s occupation. Displaced from their homeland forcibly or by choice, often having fled for varied reasons — violence, politics, religion, environment, etc. Refugees typically do not return to their origin country.

Immigrants

People who, for varied reasons, immigrate to a country different than their homeland to stay permanently. Many return to their home countries to visit, though some do not.

Expatriate (Expat)

As defined by Merriam Webster — to leave one’s native country to live elsewhere; which also sometimes means to renounce allegiance to one’s native country.

Military B.R.A.T.

Children of military who move with parents to different places within or outside of their home country. They often experience other cultures within the confines of a military installation or compound that possesses traits of the home country.

Non-Military Foreign Service

Children traveling with their parents to various countries in non-military government roles, diplomatic corps, civil service, foreign service, etc.

Diplomat Kids

Children whose parents are members of the home country’s political framework while living on foreign soil.

Traveler

Those who travel expecting differences among intra-international or international culture, however, not immersed in these cultures for extended periods of time, or long enough to integrate local cultural norms as their own.

International Business Kids

Children whose parents work with multinational corporations that take them to faraway lands, often in professional fields surrounding oil, construction and pharmaceuticals.

Borderlanders

Described by author Ruth Van Reken in the book “Third Culture Kids,” a borderlander is a citizen of one country that lives close to another. Often the norms, customs and traits of each country’s culture seeps into the other, creating a cultural experience separate from either original culture, while allowing inhabitants keen knowledge and insight into their own culture as well as the other.

Multiracial

People whose family consists of two or more races to which the individual identifies. With race often come cultural norms, slang language and attitudes that can greatly differ. Many multiracial children, though not all, have the unique opportunity to learn norms of all the cultures they comprise.

Multiethnic; Multicultural

People whose family consists of two or more cultures to which the individual identifies. Even when belonging to the same race, differences in culture may exist between ethnicities, tribes and other cultural contexts.

CONTRIBUTORS | FALL 2025

ACCK, TCA. TCK parent

PAULETTE BETHEL is a career United States Air Force Officer and global transition expert, as well as a variety of topics related to culture, race and identity. Read her CULTURS column: Bella’s Front Porch and Check out her This is Me Now Blog.

Indian ATCK

BABIN DINDA is a Third Culture Kid whose global upbringing shaped his passion for cross-cultural understanding and international security. He holds an M.A. in International Security from the Josef Korbel School at the University of Denver.

Cross-Cultural Adult (CCA)

DENEEN L. GARRETT (she/her) is an art curator and advocate for black art. She is also the founder of Deneen L. Garrett LLC. She empowers Women of Color through consulting, podcasting and coaching. Garrett is the creator and host of “Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation,” a podcast amplifying stories of resilience and empowerment, inspiring listeners to live a “Dream Lifestyle NOW.”

Cross-cultural SHANTHI YOGINI (she/ her) is an engineer-turned Authentic Yogic Lifestyle Expert and a No. 1 International bestselling author of a book series on happiness. She was born and raised in the country which is the very source of Yoga-Shaastram (Yoga-Living), and comes from a lineage of Yoga-Masters. She teaches ancient wisdom suitable to modern lifestyles through twominute tools.

Third Culture Adult, TCK Mom

CHRISTINE BUCAN has a cross-cultural family: Her husband is from Croatia, and she has Italian heritage; meanwhile, her TCK kids hold three passports. Bucan is the faculty adviser to the University of Florida team that was a finalist in the 2024 Bateman Case Study Competition. She leads study-abroad programs and takes students to international conferences, like the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, which showcases the best communications work from around the globe.

Filipina-U.S. ATCK

Third Culture Kid expert MYRA DUMAPIAS (she/her) is the chief executive officer of TCKidNOW, which has been featured on the BBC and other global news outlets. She has helped thousands discover their TCK identity and find a sense of belonging long before mention of the term on social media. Dumapias holds a Bacheler’s degree in English and World Literature and a Master’s in Social Work.

Cross-Cultural Adult (CCA)

NIKITA GUPTA (she/her_is the founder of Growing Up Gupta, a digital lifestyle brand and community platform dedicated to multicultural/South Asian interracial families, cross-cultural relationships and global parenting resources. Inspired by her own African American and Indian interracial marriage and their journey raising multicultural children, Gupta create books, digital resources and interactive media that celebrate diversity and connection.

Borderlander, TCA

Born on the borderlands of the United States and Canada, JACQ MEDIA lives in Jordan and is married to a Jordanian Third Culture Kid. She has a decade of portrait photography experience under her belt, and loves Jordan’s rich history and Arab arts.

From outlier to original

If you grew up in different countries or having meaningfully experienced different cultures, you have found home

Culturs isn’t a brand. It’s an awakening.

For those who navigate cultures, languages, borders — but never quite belong. You don’t have to choose a side. YOU ARE THE BRIDGE. YOU ARE THE BLUEPRINT.

We’re not here to market. We’re here to move culture — by owning ours.

Because you weren’t made to fit the mold — You were made to forge the future. WELCOME TO

PRAISE FOR CULTURS MEDIA

Such an interesting perspective! My whole life growing up in USA, I almost wanted people to know my race first because I was trying to hold onto to an identity that was most identical to my parents

— @Chaicultureconfessions via Instagram

Thank you to everyone who has supported my journey thus far. Truly grateful for every blessing along the way. I hope you get the book The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and embark on your personal legend. Til then, please take a moment to subscribe to Cultursmag and get content that speaks to all your senses! Thank me later.

—

D. Hardin via Facebook

These images are beautiful and so much fun! I love the vision you’re bringing to life with Culturs, it really speaks to the beauty of cultural fluidity. Looking forward to connection here and within our amazing community. Your energy on our calls is as vibrant as your mission, absolutely love it!

— J. Velasquez via Facebook

Every video you post feels like a masterpiece — the effort and creativity really shine through. I never skip a single one. — Sharmin via Whatsapp

The point that global experiences shape how leaders build and adapt is a valuable addition here.

— M. Hussein via LinkedIn about Joe Hyrkin episode on the Destinations Podcast.

You are making the world beautiful one story at a time, we need more of this love and support in this world right now!

— T. Adina via Instagram

Fall 2025

www.CultursMag.com

Volume VII, Issue XXVIII

GURU

PUBLISHER & CEO

Elleyne Aldine

EDITORIAL

EDITOR IN CHIEF

John Liang

MANAGING EDITOR

Tammy Rae Matthews

PRODUCTION

Ben Ward

VIDEOGRAPHY

Ben Ward

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Elleyne Aldine

ART DIRECTION

Diana Vega

ILLUSTRATION

Diana Vega

ADVISORY BOARD

Chumba Limo

Corine Trujillo

COMMUNITY LEAD

Andrea Bazoin

CONTRIBUTORS

Christine Bucan

Babin Dinda

Myra Dumapias

PODCAST

PRODUCTION

VIDEOGRAPHY

ASSISTANT

Zach Haigh

HAIR

Tanya Mason

CREATIVE

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Sarah Alcorn

Gerald Ambrosine

Creative Artists

Agency (CAA)

Marina Douglas

Tommy McMillion

Jacq Media

SUPPORTERS

Gregory Moore

Donna Musil

Deneen L. Garrett

Nikita Gupta

Shanthi Yogini

COLUMNISTS

Paulette Bethel

STYLIST

Sonja Motley Turman

MAKEUP

Sedrique Olsen

Deneen L. Garrett

John Liang

Ricky Middlesworth

WEB DESIGN

Gamma Waves

The Commerce Shop

Linda Thomas Brooks

Antionette Williams

SUBSCRIPTIONS: www.cultursmag.com/subscribe. ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Contact advertising@cultursmag.com. MEDIA INQUIRIES: Contact press@cultursmag.com. CULTURSTM magazine, Volume 2, Issue 3. Copyright Culturs Global Multicultural Philanthropic Lifestyle Network. All rights reserved. Published quarterly; Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, by Simply Alive, LLC, 242 Linden Street, Fort Collins, CO 80525.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Culturs magazine, 1800 Wazee Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO, 80525. Reproduction in whole or part without express written consent is strictly prohibited. Simply Alive LLC does not assume responsibility for the advertisements, nor any representation made therein, nor the quality or deliverability of the products themselves. No responsibility is assumed for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts, photographs, and other material submitted. Culturs makes every effort to provide accurate information in advertising and editorial content, however, does not make any claim as to the accuracy of information provided by advertisers or editorial contributors and accepts no responsibility or liability for inaccurate information. PRINTED IN THE USA

At Culturs, we believe those who live

between worlds hold the keys to connection and innovation. Identity is power. That’s why we’ve leaned into supercharging our brand in 2025.

On New Year’s Eve, we unveiled a video billboard in Times Square, N.Y., U.S.A. and followed up with a Hollywood launch of the Winter Issue cover for “Captain America: Brave New World”/Genius in the Hood. At the latter event, we introduced the world to the Alchemist Awards, the first recognition

dedicated to culturally fluid leaders, and honored three extraordinary pioneers:

• Ruth Van Reken, recipient of our Lifetime Achievement Award, whose work laid the foundation for global understanding of Third Culture Kids (TCKs).

• Yara Shahidi, our Inaugural Global Ambassador, a powerful voice for belonging and representation.

• Sheila Thomas, our first-ever Alchemist Award winner, whose leadership embodies the transformative spirit of cultural alchemy.

Continuing that momentum, Culturs is thrilled to announce that nominations are officially open for the 2026 Alchemist awards! This is your opportunity to shine a light on those who turn cultural fluidity into impact — and to honor yourself or someone extraordinary who deserves to be recognized.

I invite you to read the full feature inside this issue on page 62, which celebrates our honorees. Then, take action: submit a nomination today and be part of our shared history. Nominate someone today at cultursmag.com/alchemist-awards Together, let’s elevate culturally fluid voices and celebrate belonging as brilliance.

— Elleyne (Doni) Aldine Chief Executive Officer, Culturs Global Media; Publisher, Culturs Magazine

PS: Our next event is limited to 10 people for a cultural journey to Johannesburg, South Africa January 18-23.

Visit Cultursmag.com/ Journeys to book your spot!

Did you know that Culturs was born at Colorado

State University’s Journalism Department when our founder, Elleyne Aldine, was an adjunct professor there? Not only that, our art director and some of our 50-plus contributors around the globe are proud alumni.

Since the theme of this Fall issue is higher education, we feature the student winners of the Bateman Case Study Competition, who helped raise awareness of the Culturs brand’s mission to amplify the voices of people with complex cultural identities.

Sticking with students, Myra Dumapias writes about how parents can navigate the transition of their Third Culture Kids from secondary school

to university. Further, Shanthi Yogini writes about how “True Education” shapes character, cultivates wisdom and anchors the mind in timeless principles. Additionally, be sure to check out how the animated movie phenomenon of the year, “Kpop Demon Hunters,” exudes the cultural fluidity championed by the Culturs community.

Our Destinations feature highlights Jordan’s cultural diversity, historical richness and harmonious coexistence. We also jet over to London, England, where Deneen L. Garrett writes about Bahamian-born artist Tavares Strachan’s thoughtprovoking sculpture based on Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” And Dr. Paulette Bethel writes about Pope Leo XVI’s Creole lineage as well as the

power of cultural reclamation.

Are you in a cross-cultural relationship? We have graphicnovel-type representations of Nikita Gupta’s advice on how to navigate the ups and downs of living with someone who’s grew up differently than you.

From humming the catchy tunes of “Kpop Demon Hunters” to celebrating higher education and the inaugural Culturs Alchemist Award nominees to exploring the wonders of Jordan, may this issue entice you to think about who in your life inspires you.

— John Liang Editor-in-Chief

by

Nikita Gupta is the founder of Growing Up

Gupta, a digital lifestyle brand and community platform dedicated to multicultural/South Asian interracial families, crosscultural relationships and global parenting resources.

Inspired by her own African American and Indian interracial marriage and their journey raising multicultural children, Gupta creates books, digital resources and interactive media that celebrate diversity and connection.

Professionally, Gupta is driven by opportunities that blend strategy, storytelling and representation. She wants to share stories that validate the lived experiences of people navigating multiple cultures while offering practical insights for families like hers.

“What excites me about submitting to Culturs is its mission of giving voice to the complexity and richness of multicultural identities,” she says. “As someone who has personally navigated an African American and Indian interracial marriage and built a platform dedicated to multicultural families, I see Culturs as an ideal space to expand that conversation on a global stage.”

Culturs is proud to present graphic novel-type representations of the crucial messages Gupta creates to assist those in cross-cultural communities in their relationships. We think you will enjoy them as much as we do.

Scan the code on page 17 to find out more about Growing Up Gupta.

Want the exact words to say? Scan the code and get 10 scripts to tell your parents about your interracial relationship cultursmag.com/ growing-up-gupta

TRUE EDUCATION FOR LIFE: BEYOND CLASSROOMS, DEGREES & BORDERS

By Shanthi Yogini

If you have ever felt at home in more than one place — or in none at all — you belong to

a beautiful tribe. You might be a Cross-Cultural Kid (CCK), a Third Culture Adult (TCA), a military BRAT, a missionary child or someone who has woven together multiple cultures into one vibrant identity.

This upbringing is a gift — it stretches perspectives, deepens empathy and builds adaptability. But it also carries a quiet question: Where do I truly belong?

True Education — the kind that shapes character, cultivates wisdom and anchors the mind in timeless principles — offers an answer. It gives you a home, a place of inner rootedness that no

relocation or changing passport can take away. It anchors you in the Self beyond culture, where belonging is no longer questionable, because it lives within you.

When we hear the word education, most of us think of schools, universities, textbooks and exams. We picture degrees framed on the wall and letters added after a name. Society often tells us this is the measure of an educated person.

But is that truly education? If our years of study only earns us qualifications or improves our livelihood, it is incomplete. If it equips us with technical knowhow, but leaves us unprepared for emotional challenges, health crises, identity questions, relationship struggles or unexpected life events — have we truly been educated? If education only helps us make a living but not a life, something is missing.

RETHINKING EDUCATION

True education is that which prepares us for life. It teaches us how to:

• Maintain physical and mental health.

• Navigate difficult emotions without being consumed by them.

• Respond to unexpected events with calm resilience.

• Build and nurture healthy relationships.

• Find peace within and know our life-purpose. Most importantly, true education shows us that happiness is not something we chase outside ourselves — it is already within.

An education that doesn’t address these life skills falls short of its true purpose. After all, what is the point of being well-informed yet internally restless, financially secure yet mentally imbalanced?

THE INNER DIMENSION OF LEARNING

We live in a time where information is abundant, but wisdom is rare. It is entirely possible to hold multiple degrees yet be unable to handle stress, resolve conflicts peacefully or sustain inner happiness. Happiness is often mistakenly sought in external achievements — promotions, possessions, praise. Yet, all these are fleeting. True happiness comes from recognizing that it already resides within us. Education should help us stop chasing what is outside and start uncovering what is already within.

LIFE SKILLS OVER PAPER DEGREES

Imagine someone who never attended formal school. They can read, write and speak, but have no degrees in their name. Yet they understand how to breathe deeply, eat consciously, maintain balanced habits, nurture relationships and align their life with timeless values. They can handle life’s ups and downs without losing their inner equilibrium. Would we not call this person truly educated?

THE YOGIC APPROACH TO

EDUCATION

This is where the authentic Yogic lifestyle becomes relevant as a complete system for living. The ancient enlightened masters of Bhaaratam (India) designed Yogic science — a framework for reaching our highest human potential while remaining in harmony with the world around us. They have preserved this knowledge for thousands of years, offering practical tools to fulfil the purpose for which we are born.

In the Gurukulam tradition, students didn’t just memorize scriptures or learn rituals from their Gurus.

They learned:

• Waking early and starting the day with gratitude and clarity.

• Moving the body in such a way to keep it and the mind healthy and strong.

• Eating in moderation and choosing nourishing foods.

• Sleeping and working in alignment with natural rhythms.

• Working with full potential, without attachment to results.

• Practicing Ahimsa (nonviolence) in thought, word and deed.

• Speaking truth with kindness.

• Taking time for silence and reflection.

• Engaging in selfless service.

• Controlling the mind and senses.

• Cultivating contentment and inner joy.

• Realizing their oneness with all of existence.

• Ending the day with selfreview and rest.

These were not “extracurricular” activities — they were the curriculum.

We live in a time where information is abundant, but wisdom is rare.

The Yogic tradition does not separate education from life — it integrates them. Every day is a classroom. Every action is an opportunity to learn. Every breath is a lesson in presence.

Let us now explore the E.D.U.C.A.T.E. framework — a guide to true education that goes beyond classrooms, degrees and borders. Each letter represents a pillar of wisdom that can be learned, practiced and lived.

THE E.D.U.C.A.T.E. FRAMEWORK FOR TRUE EDUCATION

E – Eating Mastery

Food is not just carbohydrates, proteins, fats and vitamins — it is a living influence. As you eat, so you become. You are, quite literally, what you eat. Let your food shape your health, vitality and personality for the better.

Action: Learn which foods nourish you and which deplete you — physically, mentally and intellectually. Experiment and notice how your choices affect your energy, mood and clarity of thought.

D – Deep Relationship Mastery

Understand your connection with everything around you — family, friends, community and the environment. In today’s multicultural societies, we live alongside people from diverse traditions, languages and worldviews. This diversity is a gift, but it also brings challenges of understanding and cooperation. Learn to value differences in thought, dress and culture while seeing the underlying unity.

An education that only teaches technical skills without teaching the art of peaceful coexistence will not help us build harmonious communities. Yogic principles transcend religion, nationality and ethnicity, making them especially relevant in multicultural contexts. They promote world peace.

Let us now explore the E.D.U.C.A.T.E. framework — a guide to true education that goes beyond classrooms, degrees and borders.

U – Unshakable Foundations Mastery

Know the timeless foundations of life — peace, happiness, success, purpose and fulfilment. What does each term mean? What creates them and what breaks them in our life? What brings happiness and peace in life? Understand them intellectually, affirm them daily and embody them through reflection and practice. Go beyond surface identities — name, job, nationality — to recognize your true Self: the unchanging consciousness within.

Action: Each morning, reflect on one foundational principle — such as happiness or peace — and set an intention to embody it in your words and actions throughout the day.

A – Awareness Mastery

Observe your thoughts, your words and the way you interpret life’s events. Do they uplift you or drain you? Are you telling yourself a story that empowers or one that disempowers? Awareness is your inner compass — helping you become your best friend rather than your worst critic. What you utter becomes your outer. If you keep repeating something negative based on your own interpretation of events and people’s behaviour, your very words will make them the truth.

Develop a deep bond with your partner and children. Let conflicts become opportunities for growth. See beyond the personal self to the greater whole. Bring presence, empathy and forgiveness into every relationship.

Yogic wisdom helps us to see others as extensions of ourselves. The very word “YogaH” indicates “Union,” “Connection” or “Oneness.” Thus, personal differences become bridges rather than barriers.

Action: Set aside time daily or weekly to truly connect — without distractions — with someone important to you. Listen deeply, without planning your reply. Practice empathy by seeing situations from the other person’s perspective.

C – Correct Breathing Mastery

Breath is life. Without it, every other bodily function stops. Yet most of us breathe in ways that limit our health and vitality. Breathing is not only how oxygen enters the body to promote physical health, it is also the key to a calm mind. Balanced breathing stabilizes emotions, sharpens focus and restores harmony.

Action: Learn how to do abdominal breathing correctly. At the top of every hour, pause for a minute and breathe consciously and deeply.

Action: Pause at least three times a day to check in with your thoughts. Ask yourself, “Is this thought helping me or harming me?” Choose a thought that uplifts and empowers. When hurtful thoughts rush in your mind to disturb you, pause and run it through this filter: “Is it the truth or is it just my viewpoint? Did that person really want to hurt me? Or is that what I want to believe?” Let your answers guide your action.

T – Thought Mastery

Anchor your life in eternal Yogic values — truth, nonviolence, compassion, selfdiscipline. These are not restrictions, but pathways to inner freedom and a guilt-free, Karma-free life. Train your mind through meditation, breath and reflection so that it becomes your servant, not your master.

Action: Each week, pick one value like truthfulness to embody. Choose to implement it in your thoughts, words and actions come what may. When it feels uncomfortable say, being truthful in a situation, ask yourself: “What is the worst that could happen if I tell the truth?” Notice your mental state after embodying the value.

E – Exercise Mastery

Move your body in ways that nourish it from within. While activities like swimming, cycling and running have value, authentic Yogic postures fill in the gaps by improving flexibility, balance and inner strength. Through the very names of the postures, they connect you to everything around. Use your own body as the ultimate instrument of exercise. Honor it as the sacred vehicle for life. Then, machines and props become unnecessary.

Action: Learn two to three simple Yogic postures authentically. Learn everything about those postures. Dedicate at least five minutes daily to practicing them, focusing on slow, conscious movement and connection with your breath.

This is the promise of True Education: to give you not just knowledge, but a home within yourself.

THE SHIFT WE NEED

Modern education has given us extraordinary advances in technology, science and global connectivity. Yet many of the world’s challenges — stress, anxiety, poor health, conflict — are not due to a lack of information, but a lack of wisdom in how to live. If our education system taught children and adults the principles in the E.D.U.C.A.T.E. framework alongside academic knowledge, imagine the kind of society we could create: one that values both outer achievement and inner well-being.

FROM THEORY TO LIVING WISDOM

The E.D.U.C.A.T.E. framework is not just a set of ideas — it is a way of life. You do not have to master every aspect all at once. Start with one area that resonates most with you. Perhaps you begin by changing how you eat, or by practicing daily breathing or by setting aside intentional time for relationships. Over time, as you integrate each pillar into your daily life, you will find they naturally support and strengthen each other.

This is the beauty of true education — it is not something you finish. It grows with you. It adapts to each stage of life. It deepens as your understanding deepens. True education is lifelong learning — and the very shift our world urgently needs.

True education is not about chasing more, but about realizing we already have everything we need within us. It is about learning to live with awareness, wisdom and compassion — qualities that no degree alone can guarantee.

A CALL TO ACTION

You do not have to wait for schools or governments to change their curriculum. You can begin today. Start with one small, conscious step in any of the E.D.U.C.A.T.E. areas. Notice the difference it makes — not only in your own life, but in the lives of those around you. That ripple effect is the real measure of an educated life.

Because in the end, the greatest degree you can earn is not from a university, but from life itself.

In a world that keeps changing — countries crossed, languages learned, cultures blended — your sense of belonging doesn’t have to be fragile. True Education plants roots deeper than any address, anchoring you in values and wisdom that remain steady no matter where life takes you.

For CCKs, TCAs, military BRATs, missionary children, immigrants and all who have lived between worlds, this is more than learning — it’s coming home.

When we awaken to our deepest Self, we discover that our true identity is not tied to a single culture, but to an eternal essence that transcends them all. From that place of inner wholeness, we can embrace every

culture we touch — not as outsiders trying to fit in, but as authentic bridge-builders shaping a more connected and compassionate world.

This is the promise of True Education: to give you not just knowledge, but a home within yourself. Because when you are rooted within, the whole world feels like home.

Which E.D.U.C.A.T.E. pillar resonates most with you — and what will be your first step towards REAL education? Please share your thoughts online.

Scan the code below to go online and share piece of the E.D.U.C.A.T.E. Framework resonates most: cultursmag.com/true-education-for-life-beyond

CULTURAL RECKONING

By Deneen L. Garrett

Tavares Strachan’s ‘The First Supper’

In the heart of London, U.K., the Royal Academy of Arts

became the stage for a powerful cultural reckoning.

Thirteen bronze figures stood in formation — commanding attention, reframing history and demanding a new lens through which to view the past.

“The First Supper,” a monumental sculptural installation by Bahamian-born, New York, N.Y., U.S.A.-based artist Tavares Strachan, was unveiled as part of the Royal Academy’s groundbreaking exhibition, “Entangled Pasts, 1768 – Now: Art, Colonialism and Change.”

With “The First Supper,” Strachan reimagines one of Western art’s most iconic religious images — Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper — through a contemporary and radically inclusive lens. In place of da Vinci’s European apostles, Strachan assembles a pantheon of Black excellence: Shirley Chisholm, Marsha P. Johnson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Haile Selassie I, and other luminaries whose contributions have shaped history yet remain underacknowledged in traditional narratives.

MEMORY AND ERASURE

This reconfiguration asks a fundamental question: Who gets remembered, and who gets erased?

Strachan’s work isn’t just revisionist — it’s restorative. It confronts centuries of exclusion in art history and challenges the Eurocentric canon that has long defined genius, divinity and cultural worth.

In doing so, The First Supper serves as both a countermonument and a site of radical imagination. It doesn’t simply critique what came before; it builds a new visual vocabulary — one where Black figures are not anomalies or afterthoughts, but central and celebrated.

CARIBBEAN ROOTS

The artist draws heavily from his Caribbean upbringing and diasporic memory. For many in Black communities, The Last Supper hung in dining rooms and churches, a sacred symbol often replicated despite its lack of cultural representation. Strachan disrupts this inherited iconography, replacing reverence for the original with a bold assertion of new meaning. The table, in his hands, becomes a site of confrontation, celebration and healing.

Born in Nassau, raised in Bahamian culture, educated in the U.S. and now living in New York, Strachan’s global presence adds complexity to his work. His art has been exhibited from Venice to London, Los Angeles to Lagos — mirroring his own movement across borders and cultural contexts.

BETRAYAL AND TRANSFORMATION

Strachan’s decision to insert himself as Judas — the biblical figure synonymous with betrayal — is one of the work’s most provocative choices. In doing so, Strachan implicates himself and invites viewers to reflect on their own roles within systems of power and oppression. It’s a gesture that speaks to the complexity of identity, especially for those of us who navigate multiple cultural inheritances.

Judas, in this context, is not just the betrayer, but also a symbol of complicity, transformation and the ongoing negotiation of self in a fractured world.

“The First Supper” doesn’t just offer representation — it offers reparation.

This layered identity resonates deeply with the lived experiences of Third Culture Kids (TCKs), Adult Cross-Cultural Kids (ACCKs) and anyone navigating the nuances of hybrid cultural belonging. As someone who has lived, worked, and traveled between the U.S., Europe, and the Caribbean, this writer sees in Strachan’s work a mirror of her own cultural multiplicity.

Strachan’s sculptures speak not only to Blackness as a monolith but to the richness and diversity within it — to the intersections of gender, geography, politics and spirituality that shape the diaspora.

REPARATION

“The First Supper” doesn’t just offer representation — it offers reparation. It calls into question who has historically been allowed to take a seat at the table and who continues to be left out.

In claiming space for these icons of Black excellence, Strachan reminds us that inclusion isn’t about assimilation; it’s about transformation. He doesn’t ask for permission to enter the canon — he remakes it entirely.

What is most striking about this work is its unapologetic grandeur. Cast in bronze and elevated on plinths, the figures exude reverence, power and

grace. They are not merely subjects of history — they are history-makers. Strachan’s visual language is assertive yet poetic, rooted in ancestral wisdom and futuristic vision. Through his art, he invites us not only to remember, but to reimagine.

In an age where institutions are being called to reckon with their colonial pasts and reimagine more inclusive futures, The First Supper arrives as both a challenge and a gift: It challenges us to see who we’ve overlooked — and why. But more importantly, it gifts us with a new framework: one that honors complexity, uplifts the marginalized, and reclaims the table not just for representation but for liberation. Tavares Strachan’s “The First Supper” is more than a sculpture. It is a cultural intervention. A reckoning. A reclamation. And most importantly, it is a declaration: that Black excellence belongs not on the margins, but at the center of our collective story.

In an age where institutions are being called to reckon with their colonial pasts and reimagine more inclusive futures, The First Supper arrives as both a challenge and a gift: It challenges us to see who we’ve overlooked — and why.

To learn more about Tavares Strachan and his art, scan the code below. cultursmag.com/the-first-supper-by-tavares-strachan-

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

By Dr. Paulette Bethel

Pope Leo XVI, Creole Lineage and the Power of Cultural Reclamation

HIDDEN HERITAGE

This revelation stirred conversations not just about genealogy, but about the legacy of hidden heritage and cultural fluidity. For communities shaped by colonization, migration and the complexities of classification, Pope Leo’s ancestral background was not a surprise. Rather, it was a reflection of a long-standing reality: identity often survives beneath the surface until the world is ready to see it.

When Pope Leo XVI emerged in Rome, onto

the balcony at Vatican City for the first time as the new head of the Catholic Church, viewers around the world watched with reverence. But for many familiar with Louisiana, La., U.S.A. Creole heritage, the moment carried an unexpected ripple of recognition.

Soon after, news broke that the pontiff’s maternal lineage traced back to New Orleans Creole ancestry — a detail that was possibly known in some quiet circles and now globally confirmed.

Louisiana genealogist Alex Da’Paul Lee, who helped uncover Pope Leo’s maternal ancestry, wasn’t searching for a headline — he was following a hunch.

“I kept seeing gaps in the story,” he explains. “And as someone rooted in Louisiana history, I recognized the patterns, the silences, the shifting surnames, the hidden legacies.”

Lee’s instincts proved right. What he found was not only a family tree, but a reflection of a broader cultural truth: that many of us carry identities shaped by both love and loss, visibility and erasure — and that naming them is itself an act of reclamation.

For communities shaped by colonization, migration and the complexities of classification, Pope Leo’s ancestral background was not a surprise. Rather, it was a reflection of a longstanding reality: identity often survives beneath the surface until the world is ready to see it.

The Pope’s lineage, as confirmed by genealogical researchers, places him within the historic context of New Orleans Creole society, a rich cultural tradition defined by French, Spanish, African and Caribbean influences. These communities often lived in the liminal space between imposed categories, navigating a world where survival sometimes meant cultural adaptation and concealment.

STRATEGIC INVISIBILITY

In the U.S. South, as in the Caribbean, strategic invisibility was a form of protection. That context connects directly to the stories of countless families in South Louisiana, and even more broadly across Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and other parts of the Latin-based Caribbean. These regions share a deeply entangled history shaped by colonial powers, the Catholic Church and centuries of migration and cultural exchange. It was not uncommon for families to flow back and forth across these lands, carrying with them faith traditions, language, music and the fluid markers of identity.

In such environments, cultural identity was rarely fixed. It was layered, nuanced and often hidden. Publicly, some families chose or were forced to present differently, navigating imposed identities, including passing as white when necessary for survival. Sometimes this was an act of permanency, and others done strategically by day in workplaces or while securing property and credit, only to return to their community identity at night.

In such environments, cultural identity was rarely fixed. It was layered, nuanced and often hidden.

These dual lives were shaped not by shame, but by necessity.

Banks, for example, often used addresses to infer heritage, even when appearances did not reveal it. These stories of temporary and permanent passing were often carried in silence and sometimes, in sorrow. Like many families shaped by racial classification and cultural adaptation, silence was a form of survival.

Pope Leo’s brother recalls that their mother rarely spoke about her roots in New Orleans, a

pattern mirrored in many Creole households, where heritage was tucked away not to be denied, but to be protected.

Author Bliss Broyard, in her book “One Drop: My Father’s Hidden Life — A Story of Race and Family Secrets,” recounts a similar revelation.

Her father, the esteemed literary critic Anatole Broyard, passed as white for much of his life, severing ties with his Black and Creole heritage in New Orleans. In reflecting on this loss, Broyard writes not only about erasure but about what it means to reclaim.

“These aren’t just scraps of bureaucratic record. They are testaments of identity — of presence. Every time a name was written down or crossed out, every time a racial classification changed on paper, it represented a negotiation. Sometimes an act of love. Sometimes resistance. Sometimes both,” writes Alex Lee. Continuing to reflect, Lee adds that genealogical discoveries often carry an emotional weight, especially when names reappear after generations of silence.

“For many families, uncovering a hidden ancestor isn’t just data, it’s dignity. It brings language to legacies that had no name,” he adds.

Lee further ponders about what cultural restoration might offer to those who have long felt split between who they are and who the world allowed them to be.

This is the heart of what Pope Leo’s lineage unearths — not scandal, but story. Not controversy, but connection. In an era often marked by polarization and rigid categorization, it offers a rare

invitation: to view identity not as a dividing line, but as a living bridge. The story doesn’t disrupt, it reveals. And in that revelation, there is opportunity.

For one cultural commentator with Louisiana Creole roots, the Pope’s appearance sparked an immediate sense of familiarity.

“Something in him reminded me of my mother’s family,” she shares. She was not alone. Others in genealogical and cultural communities voiced similar sentiments surrounding gestures of recognition, not from documentation, but from memory, intuition, and legacy. Even when cultural roots weren’t named aloud, they lived on in quiet, faithful acts — like preparing meals for local priests, a gesture Pope Leo’s brother remembers from their childhood.

CULTURAL FLUIDITY

“Cultural fluidity,” once seen as a liability, “is increasingly recognized as a superpower,” says Culturs founder and CEO, Elleyne Aldine, the person who originally coined the term to describe the lived experience of navigating multiple cultural frameworks.

For years, those who moved fluidly between cultural spaces, like Third Culture Kids (TCKs), immigrants, diplomats and global nomads were misunderstood. Their adaptability was mistaken for inauthenticity. Their ability to shift languages, norms or behaviors was sometimes met with suspicion rather than admiration.

Yet that very agility, the capacity to bridge worlds, has become one of the most vital leadership traits of our time.

As genealogist Alex Lee notes, “Adaptability and blended heritage aren’t things to hide; they’re things to recognize, honor and learn from.”

In recent reflections, Aldine has observed how this dynamic, adaptive nature enables those who embody it to lead, connect and rise, not in spite of their complexity, but because of it. A perspective that not only resonates with this moment but may help explain how individuals like Pope Leo rise, not despite their lineage, but because of the insight it brings.

Their adaptability was mistaken for inauthenticity. Their ability to shift languages, norms or behaviors was sometimes met with suspicion rather than admiration.

Cultural reclamation, especially among Creole and other multicultural communities, is not just about celebrating roots. It is about healing. It is about restoration. And sometimes, when the world is watching, it is about rising.

In the quiet spaces between past and present, the stories that were once hidden in plain sight begin to bloom. Not for validation, but for truth. Not for headlines, but for wholeness. The ancestry of Pope Leo isn’t a surprise — it’s a reflection, a mirror held up to how families adapt, protect and in time, reclaim.

“To rise from a lineage that once had to be hidden is not only symbolic, it is sacred,” as Lee reminds us. “This isn’t just about one man’s ancestry. It’s about recognizing the complexity in all of our histories.”

Pope Leo XVI’s path to the papacy, intentional or not, is part of that unfolding sacred story. Lee adds that the Pope’s visibility opens the door to conversations that have long been whispered: about families separated by fear, about identities silenced for survival and about the dignity of naming who we are and where we come from.

For those carrying lineages long kept quiet, the Pope’s ascent is more than a moment, it’s a mirror. It invites us to consider how stories once silenced may find their voice again, not in protest, but in presence.

To learn more about the Pope’s lineage, scan the code below. cultursmag.com/hidden-in-plain-sight-pope-leo-xvi-

By Myra Dumapias

While the transition from high

school to college is a significant milestone for Third Culture Kids (TCKs), often ending a pattern of frequent moves, for TCKs who become parents, the college transition of their child can be a chapter of profound grief beyond what’s anticipated.

In social conversations, the college transition for parents is often reduced to the two-word nominal term “empty nester.” However, the transition itself is much more involved and deserves its own grief process.

Being a parent is one of the most vulnerable relationship roles a person can have. The many instances of losing close friends, favorite teachers or role models and favorite local spots and comfort food, especially when repeated, lay deep in the emotions of TCKs, as they occur during the developmental years.

Yet, being a parent, holding responsibility for another human being’s developmental years, is a role designed to prepare someone to part ways. Parents love with their all to one day let go. Parenthood is a continuous journey of moving between the various roles from provider, nurturer, guide, educator, disciplinarian, protector and more. To do it right, parenting demands confronting your fears, insecurities and blind spots as well as applying your characteristic strengths, earned wisdom and from day one, natural instincts.

Of these natural instincts, the instinct to make room for offspring in one’s nest, from the half-awake feedings for a newborn, to the grocery lists with your child’s snacks, to the routine of coming home on a Friday in anticipation of a weekend with your child, doesn’t simply switch off when they turn 18.

Being a parent is one of the most vulnerable relationship roles a person can have.

THE DAY OF THE SEND-OFF

Keep calm and cry in the car on move-in day. Unless you have an expressionless-cry face that allows you to tear without the dramatic expressions or don’t mind people seeing your cry today, cry in the car before you step out and when you step back in. If you have any emotional words to say that you didn’t get a chance to say before you left the house, say them in the car, before the hustle and bustle of moving things in your young adult’s room. Chances are, however that you all will be too busy on this day to have time to be as emotional as you have been at home. Try to save your emotions for when you are away from your young adult to lessen the possible emotional impact on them. They may seem emotionless today or can’t wait to break free. However, know there is much going on within them as well. They may be fighting tears themselves. It helps to have a companion or other family members during this send-off for emotional support and help ensure you are driving safely.

Get out of the way helpfully. Allow your young adult to focus on what they need to get done in the way that makes sense to them. There is most likely a part of them, even if it is small, that is trying hard to not succumb to the overwhelming mixture of sadness, excitement, fear and tremendous courage. Helping with practical things that won’t get in their way of taking charge of how to handle move-in day and the move-in week schedule can bring out your young adult’s personal self-determination. In turn, seeing your young adult’s sense of self-determination can help you as a parent have less concerns about their adjustment. If they make mistakes, it helps them make better choices.

DAY ONE OF BEING THEIR OWN BOSS.

Today is a day your young adult will need to be the boss while receiving your ageappropriate guidance. It’s a smoother drop from being a co-boss on move-in day to being the only boss after the family leaves for your young adult than being completely dependent on parents until the last minute. Allowing them to take ownership of their decisions and balancing the parental task of guiding your child will require you to be flexible today. Your young adult is most likely trying their best to be strong and brave.

Holding responsibility for another human being’s developmental years is a role designed to prepare someone to part ways.

It would be wise to still provide solid and well-timed guidance of important matters, such as making decisions that ensure personal safety and security, knowing the common traps that target college kids for money and practicing fiscally sustainable options for purchasing textbooks and supplies. However, as young adults, they will only need to be shown how to do such things so they can practice making these decisions themselves. In reality, your guidance as a parent will not really end, but will likely involve more and more respect.

Find your co-supervisor in your young adult. Certain things like billing and matters related to your child’s student account will still need to be supervised by you as a parent, but you can start to share that responsibility with your young adult. Your guidance will be teaching them how to supervise it themselves and as a co-supervisor, follow up on anything confusing or overwhelming while allowing them to be part of finding the solution.

THE DRIVE AWAY

Your young adult in your mirror is closer than they appear. For some parents, there may be an urge to follow your child like a parent peering around a corner to watch their child on the first day of preschool or kindergarten. The instinct to watch over our children never ends. However, rest assured that while the days of bonding and closeness during childhood become part of the past, that bond only transitions in type and is simply adjusting to make way for your young adult to grow.

Parents love with their all to one day let go.

How do you just leave the child you raised every day for almost two decades and just drive off? By knowing the bond will continue, just in a different way and letting go until this new stage of parenthood starts to feel like a different type of adventure with new challenges and rewards.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU GET HOME

Some parents may feel a sense of emotional displacement when they get home. Eighteen or so years of default emotions that come with being parent of a growing child is a long time to live out day in and day out. Despite the rational knowledge your child will one day go to college, it doesn’t prepare you for the emotional process. The logical understanding of the college transition is intertwined but not concurrent with the emotional process.

The sense of emotional displacement can come from a series of “minus-one” sudden realizations in a parent’s thought processes and associated emotions, especially during regular daily routines. You may catch yourself sitting at work suddenly remembering you won’t need to prepare as much food for dinner. You may be driving on a street on a regular route and suddenly remember your child isn’t just several miles away, waiting at home. You may walk through the grocery aisle past your child’s favorite snack, feeling hollow. These can be excruciating moments of grief you didn’t expect. The “minus-one” sudden realizations land harder on our emotions than our intellect. It will simply take time to live through reassigning different emotions to the various routines slowly, one by one, day by day. These emotions of grief can be so intense. Some parents may even wish the best years of raising their child(ren) would never end. However, just as we became our own adults, we parents have to think forward because it’s in the days ahead that we find a balm for the past that we miss so dearly.

LETTING YOUR LOVE CHERISH THE PAST WHILE MEETING YOUR CHILD IN THE PRESENT

If we move forward alongside our adult children, we get to watch them become who they will be to their friends, work colleagues and community, with fresh eyes that grow to respect and honor the journeys they are on, the joys they cherish, and recognitions they will have earned on their own right. The best part is: the adult person you grow to become proud of is the same little person you raised and it only adds to what you already cherish about them, never subtracts.

Just as you experienced a love so profound when you raised your child knowing one day you’ll let go, you only learn just how deep that love goes after you do.

Try to save your emotions for when you are away from your young adult to lessen the possible emotional impact on them.

To learn more about sending TCKs off to college, scan the code below. cultursmag.com/the-send-off-to-adulthood-a-tck-

A STEP-BY-STEP TRANSITION GUIDE FOR TCK PARENTS.

For parents on the journey of college transition, David Pollock and Ruth Van Reken in the book “Third Culture Kids, Growing Up Among Worlds” provide a way to avoid sinking in a river of grief via the acronym RAFT, which stands for:

R = Reconciliation, which “includes both the need to forgive and be forgiven.”

A = Affirmation, or “the acknowledgement that each person in (a) relationship matters.”

F = Farewells, which includes farewells to “people, places, pets and possessions.”

T = Think Destination, including the “internal … and external … resources for coping with problems” at the next destination.

The following is how RAFT can apply for both parent and child as well as the parent’s grief process:

Reconciliation — If there are any unresolved issues that have weighed heavily on the relationship between you and your child, intentionally making time to name and acknowledge those matters together and process any hurts, apologies, forgiveness or grief together can be helpful. Internally for the parent, some issues may not feel resolvable, but admission informs future choices and distance offers perspective.

Affirmation — Likely to come naturally, when you share favorite memories about what you cherish most about your child, it can help affirm special aspects of their character and personality. This may help your child when they build new relationships. Internally for the parent, affirmation can also be a time to celebrate your accomplishment of this milestone as well as the losses you feel.

Farewells — Familiar to the TCK, this step for parent and child involves acknowledging the favorite activities, traditions, items and hangout spots together, and painfully saying, “bye for now” to each.

Acknowledging the meanings while accepting the transition allows for your child to let go. Internally for the parent, watching your child let go can prompt you to honor the process and likewise let go.

Think Destination — Talk about what your child entering college looks forward to in addition to taking care of the logics of the transition such as the preparations for campus living and first-semester classes. You can also share encouraging words or advice about the new horizon. Internally for the parent, you can also look forward to new opportunities that became available as a result of the changes while grieving the transition. Plan out how you will access sources of support during intense moments of grief.

CSU STORIES

At Colorado State, we believe a university should expand your horizons, inspire your interests in and outside the classroom, and open doors to opportunities that help you chart your one-of-a-kind journey. We offer nationally ranked programs, world-class faculty invested in your success, and a campus community that values every student’s unique experience. Deciding on a college is about more than a major, it’s also your chance to choose a university experience that empowers you to learn more about yourself. Explore CSU and you’ll find the everythingis-possible energy that only happens here—and that discovery can take you anywhere.

JAKYE NUNLEY College of Business

Student Government Leader

Engaging inside and outside the classroom is something Jakye Nunley believes is essential. “College is about making sure you leave with a holistic experience, that you get the professional development, that you get the personal development, and that you get the degree.”

He credits his parents for motivating him to attend college and shaping his mission to prove himself and give back to the family who’s given so much to him. A business degree was the plan, but where that would unfold was undecided.

During a summer visit to Colorado State, a program facilitator with the Black Issues Forum encouraged Jakye to consider CSU. That advice was transformative, motivating Jakye to apply. He made another visit after being accepted and knew then that CSU was home. At CSU, Jakye has found purpose and a path forward balancing academic aspirations with his role as the President of the Associated Students of Colorado State University.

He finds inspiration in blending these worlds and building his skill set to speak to anyone and everyone, forging new connections with fellow Rams based on shared experiences and their common destination at CSU.

For Jakye, CSU is all about tapping into the energy sparked by the fusion of classes, activities, friendships, and the potential for life-altering moments to occur when students least expect them. “I’m excited about what’s going to happen. No matter what day it is. That’s the beauty of this campus.”

KEKUA RICHARDS

Animal Sciences

Student Athlete

Living on Maui, Kekua Richards saw the struggles people had with veterinary care. “It’s really expensive there to even get any type of vet care, so I wanted to have my own clinic back at home.” Asking how she can help her community is rooted in a passion for animal care that goes back to childhood. As a kid, she felt closer to animals than humans. When she was considering what college to attend, she realized she could transform that love of helping animals into her life’s work. And at Colorado State, she could combine it with volleyball.

Her fierce commitment on the court carries over to her desire to be a veterinarian and her dedication to her family, most of whom haven’t had the opportunity to attend college. For Kekua, being a Ram is not only about representing CSU, but also representing her family and the sacrifices they’ve made for her to be here.

Whether she’s in class or in Moby Arena, Kekua finds an endless flow of energy that pushes her to pursue her path as a student and an athlete. Her dream of making an impact and inspiring the next generation of veterinarians on Maui became real with her first steps on the CSU campus. “Everything really just fell perfectly into place, and I love it so much!”

ELLIOT FERRELL-CARRETEY

Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering

M.S. Chemical Engineering

“One thing I like about CSU is that I have had so many opportunities to just do what I want to do.” For Elliot Ferrell-Carretey, reaching for new experiences not only brought him to Colorado State, it’s also taken him to another continent.

Elliot transferred to Colorado State for a chemical and biological engineering program that better connected with his research interests. “When I first transferred to CSU, it was a challenging transition, coming to a new place, not really knowing anybody. It was just getting involved in all these different activities…that kept me motivated to keep going.”

Those activities included Rams Without Borders and fencing – something Elliot took up in high school that has helped him juggle a host of responsibilities yet never feel overwhelmed. “[Fencing] is a great outlet, and it just helps me get in that flow state, and forget about everything else, and be present in the moment.”

It was his involvement with Rams Without Borders that took him to El Salvador to work on a water access project in El Pital and Las Tablas. The project would be life-changing for the people living in these rural communities, and it was impactful for Elliot as well. “You go to these communities and you’re living and eating with them. These projects aren’t helping strangers. It’s helping people close to you.”

FROM CLASSROOM

CLASSROOM TO SHIFT

By Elleyne Aldine and Babin Dinda

The stars aligned when Culturs Global Media

was asked to work with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). It resulted in a deep dive to a key Culturs demographic through the 2024 Bateman Case Study Competition.

This pivotal moment aligned with the media brand’s timing: While it was reimagining its website, store and messaging, Bateman offered a chance to test that rebrand against the perspectives of Gen Z students at universities around the world.

The Bateman Case Study Competition, hosted by the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), has long been considered the premier public relations case study challenge. Each year, students are asked to research, plan, implement and evaluate a realworld campaign for a national client. In 2024, that client was Culturs Global Media.

Students were tasked with raising awareness of the brand’s mission to amplify voices of people with complex cultural identities — Third Culture Kids (TCKs), immigrants, Military BRATS, mixed-race individuals and others who often live inbetween — people who live along a fluid cultural spectrum.

BATEMAN CONTEST TIMELINE

OCTOBER 2023

CLIENT BRIEF RELEASED

PRSSA announces Culturs as the 2024 client; case study materials shared with chapters.

NOVEMBER 2023

ONBOARDING & TRAINING

Teams attend the official Culturs webinar/Q&A and review resource packets.

DECEMBER 2023 –JANUARY 2024

RESEARCH & PLANNING PHASE

Primary and secondary research conducted, strategies developed, and campaign plans finalized.

Gen Z is looking for authentic, shared spaces that acknowledge layered identities and encourage people to own their stories.

FEBRUARY – MARCH 2024

CAMPAIGN IMPLEMENTATION

Teams launch activations on campuses and in local communities, executing tactics outlined in their plans.

APRIL 2024

EVALUATION & REPORTING

Campaigns conclude; teams compile results, analyze metrics, and submit comprehensive case reports.

MAY 2, 2024

FINAL PRESENTATIONS & JUDGING

Top three finalists present live to PRSSA judges and Culturs; winners announced.

For Culturs, it became a proving ground to see how young communicators would interpret its mission and how cultural identity resonated across communities.

Culturs invited students into a conversation about who gets seen, who feels heard, and how belonging is built.

“In today’s globalized world, it’s essential to expose students to a wide range of cultures,” says Christine Bucan, faculty adviser to the University of Florida team. “That’s why I lead study abroad programs and take students to international conferences, like the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, which showcases the best communications work from around the globe. I also draw on my international work, including management training sessions in Ghana, to help students see how culture shapes communication.”

Bucan herself has a crosscultural family: Her husband is from Croatia, and she has Italian heritage; meanwhile, her kids hold three passports. They were born abroad and the family moved to New York City, N.Y., U.S.A. once the kids started school. While Bucan served as public relations adviser to the United Nations for Croatia during the year, her children continued to enjoy summers across the pond with their Croatian family.

“We made a conscious effort to raise them in a bicultural household,” she says. “It was important to us that they understood and embraced both sides of their identity.”

Bucan’s personal and professional background made her an ideal adviser for the contestwinning team and a natural advocate for the Culturs mission, one she deeply understands.

“At the end of the day, we’re all human,” she says. “The goal was to bring people together and celebrate their hyphenated identities and the richness that comes from living between cultures.”

TESTING A REBRAND IN REAL TIME

Indeed for Culturs, Bateman was more than a competition. It was a chance to validate ideas already underway in its rebrand. The student campaigns delivered insights that mirrored the organization’s next phase: launching ambassador networks, experimenting with new content formats and forging partnerships that expand reach.

The research also exposed how Gen Z views cultural identity in practice. Students surveyed peers, hosted conversations, and documented where traditional “diversity” frameworks left gaps.

Their findings echoed what Culturs leadership suspected — Gen Z is looking for authentic, shared spaces that acknowledge layered identities and encourage people to own their stories.

Tatiana Rodriguez, a Cuban Italian American and now account coordinator at Dan Klores Communications in New York, hails from the University of Florida and reflects on the personal impact of their campaign.

“Culturs’ mission deeply resonated with me and my team, and we were honored to be tasked with amplifying its presence within our community. One of the most rewarding aspects of the process was getting to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds who were eager to share their stories with us and support our efforts,” she says.

LESSONS LEARNED

The three finalists highlighted different pathways forward (see sidebar for details). Florida created community recognition with “Culturs Day.” Montclair State University amplified the brand through influencer collaboration and media partnerships. Brigham Young University embedded personal narratives within institutional support and community business.

Together, they showed Culturs its rebrand was on track. Students confirmed that ambassadors, new content formats and partnerships are the right tools to expand the mission.

For Culturs, the sponsorship delivered both proof of concept and inspiration.

GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE

The Bateman Competition has always been about learning by doing. Students run campaigns from research to evaluation, giving them professional-grade experience.

“While the campaign was emotionally and intellectually fulfilling, we also had the opportunity to learn practical skills like media pitching, event hosting, qualitative research, etc. We executed a full PR campaign from beginning to end and gained experiences that many don’t have until much later in their careers,” Rodriguez says.

But in 2024, it also became a forum for something bigger: affirming the value of cultural identity in public communication. By partnering with PRSA to sponsor Bateman, Culturs not only offered students a client brief, it invited them into a conversation about who gets seen, who feels heard and how belonging is built.

The University of Florida team’s Janelle Puckering has Puerto Rican and Black American heritage and now works as an analyst at Gladstone Place Partners in New York City. She says the campaign changed how she saw herself: “The Culturs campaign got me involved in my community and made me engage with my identity in ways I never had before.”

She emphasized the campaign allowed them to create “opportunities for dialogue around intersectionality and belonging in a time where these spaces are more critical than ever.”

The campaigns from the University of Florida, Montclair State University and Brigham Young University demonstrate that when students are challenged to create meaningful spaces, they rise to the occasion. They prove the stories of people who live “in between” cultures are not only worth telling — they are worthy of holding the spotlight on center stage.

We created opportunities for dialogue around intersectionality and belonging in a time where these spaces are more critical than ever.

— Janelle Puckering

To learn more about the Bateman Competition, scan the code below. cultursmag.com/how-student-pr-teams-helped

HONORABLE MENTIONS: 2024 BATEMAN COMPETITION

While three teams claimed the podium, 10 others impressed judges with standout campaigns that reflected creativity, rigor and cultural insight.

• California State University, Long Beach — Focused on campus coalitions and student storytelling to bring cultural identity into everyday conversations.

• Louisiana State University — Grounded its campaign in strong research and leveraged storytelling to connect students across communities.

• Loyola University New Orleans — Designed creative tactics that highlighted hybrid cultural identities through local partnerships and events.

• Penn State (Bellisario College, “Bellisario Group”) — Crafted innovative messaging tailored to a large campus environment, blending digital reach with in-person activation.

• Syracuse University — Built a multichannel content strategy that amplified student voices on social media and through campus publications.

• University of Colorado Boulder (“Get CUltured”) — Anchored its campaign in cultural awareness with interactive on-campus experiences and peer engagement.

•University of Nebraska–Lincoln — Demonstrated robust planning and faculty collaboration, building momentum with strategic events and partnerships.

• University of South Carolina — Executed a tightly measured campaign that prioritized outcomes and data-driven storytelling.

• University of Southern California — With “Cracking Cultural Conversations,” USC used surveys and pop-ups to reveal resource gaps and showcase Culturs as a platform for identity expression.

• University of Nebraska at Omaha — Through “Nobody Asked: The Culturally Fluid Experience,” UNO reclaimed a phrase to empower students, creating safe spaces and interactive events like “Craft Your Culture” and “Pinpoint Your Culture.”

JUDGING CRITERIA

(EQUAL WEIGHT ACROSS FIVE CATEGORIES)

• Research (20%) → Depth and relevance of insights gathered.

• Planning (20%) → Strategy, objectives, and alignment with Culturs’ mission.

• Creativity (20%) → Innovation in messaging, tactics, and execution.

• Implementation (20%) → Professionalism, reach, and effectiveness of campaign rollout.

• Evaluation (20%) → Quality of measurement, outcomes, and lessons learned.

1 BATEMAN WINNERS PODIUM 2

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA — FIRST PLACE

In Gainesville, the University of Florida “Communigators” team built a campaign called “Embrace the Hyphen” against a backdrop where more than 11 percent of residents are foreign-born, yet political decisions had dismantled offices of support for cultural communities. Research revealed that 84 percent of local residents wanted spaces that celebrated cultural differences, so the team launched

events ranging from a festival and film screenings to speaker panels and interactive booths.

The campaign reached more than 65,000 people, generated over 450,000 PSA impressions and secured a city proclamation declaring an official “Culturs Day.” With 56 partnerships and 44 ambassadors, the effort extended

Culturs’ mission across both campus and community.

Team member Bianca Romero, who identifies as Guatemalan Nicaraguan Cuban American and is now an account executive at Royal Caribbean International, says the project showed her the impact of storytelling: “Through this project, I learned how powerful it is to give people a platform to share their stories. By establishing these safe spaces, people can connect over their shared experiences and inspire others to embrace both their own and others’ cultures.”

MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY — SECOND PLACE

Montclair State University earned second place with “Montclair Culturs: #SoarTogether.” On a campus where more than 60 percent of the student body represents different backgrounds, the team uncovered a gap: many students valued cultural identity but did not feel fully seen. Their campaign responded with ambitious activations. The Cultur-ella Festival drew 450 attendees. A Cultural Print Map captured nearly 1,000 student heritages. And “Living in Full Color,” a conversation co-produced with NBCU Academy, WNBC and Telemundo, reached nearly 250,000 viewers across the New York metro area.

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY — THIRD PLACE

The results spoke loudly: more than 500,000 impressions, 538 pledges, 24 new ambassadors and campus awareness of Culturs jumping from 8 percent to 73 percent.

Culturs leadership pointed to Montclair’s ability to recruit a top influencer as a standout achievement — demonstrating how student-driven partnerships could provide a blueprint for broader engagement.

3 2

At Brigham Young University, the Royal Team launched “Bridge the Gap.” While BYU is a private institution, the campaign unfolded in Utah at a moment when new legislation had dismantled diversity offices across public campuses. That context underscored the urgency of conversations about belonging and representation.

The team’s approach was rooted in dialogue. Six interactive booths invited more than 600 participants to share their stories, and 162 were documented on a “Come Share Your Story” wall. The students also partnered with the university’s vice president of belonging and included the perspective of a Honduran refugee and Crumbl franchise owner, whose experience illustrated resilience and connection.

Their blend of personal storytelling, media outreach and institutional partnership earned the team a place on the podium and underscored how cultural identity work can bridge divides in challenging environments.

By Elleyne Aldine and John Liang

The Globe’s first ever cultural alchemist awards

MO M TNE

In a world where identity is often misunderstood or

minimized, culturally fluid leaders bring clarity, connection and transformation. They are the

alchemists of belonging — turning lives lived across borders, cultures and identities into innovation and impact.

The Alchemist Awards is the first recognition of it’s kind, and we’re just getting started. The 2026 award nominations are now officially open! This is your invitation to recognize culturally fluid leaders who embody the courage and creativity to reshape communities. Whether student or

seasoned innovator, storyteller or organizational change agent, every nomination adds to a growing chorus of voices that prove identity is power.

We encourage you to read the stories of our inaugural honorees and then take the next step: nominate yourself or someone extraordinary.

Together, we’ll continue to elevate the brilliance of cultural fluidity.

by Creative Artists Agency

Do you or someone you know:

▫ Live between cultures and identities?

▫ Build bridges and sparks belonging?

▫ Transform lived experience into innovation and impact?

They (or you) may be the next Alchemist Award winner.

Nominations are open now for the world’s first recognition dedicated to culturally fluid leaders.

Check out the categories and submit your nomination today: Cultursmag.com/alchemist-awards

YARA SHAHIDI

Global ambassador award

by Creative Artists Agency

YYara Shahidi is a bicultural woman of many talents: actor, storyteller, business entrepreneur, activist and global brand ambassador.

When receiving her Alchemist Award during the launch of Culturs' Winter 2025 issue in Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.A., Shahidi was reinspired to what she characterized as bringing us all to the media landscape: “To blow the doors open and tell as many stories as possible.”

Meeting Culturs Publisher Elleyne Aldine at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity in France "sparked what could have been a five-minute conversation that turned into an hour-plus of us getting ice cream and talking about the impact of creating space for everyone of every cultural identity to feel embraced," Shahidi says.

"I'm proudly black, proudly Iranian, and I think I've grown up with the privilege of having a space created for me in my home and fiercely protected in my home," she adds. "But it's not something that's extended to most people or even extended to the outside of my home."

Shahidi is an award-winning actress, producer and change agent who rose to prominence as the breakout star of the U.S.backed American Broadcasting Company (ABC)’s Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated series "Black-ish." Her magnetic presence as Zoey Johnson captivated audiences, and she continued to shine as the executive producer and lead in the Freeform spinoff series "Grown-ish," which held the distinction of being the #1 cable comedy among 18- to 49-yearolds for an impressive six seasons.

In 2019, Shahidi expanded her collaboration with the ABC television network, entering into a multiyear producing deal alongside her business partner and mother, Keri Shahidi, under their banner 7th Sun Productions. The partnership flourished further in 2022 with the addition of a collaboration with Onyx Collective.

While making strides in the entertainment industry, Shahidi pursued her education and earned a B.A. in Social Studies and African American Studies from Harvard University. A dedicated advocate for inclusive media programming and equity, she remains a guiding force for transformation within the entertainment landscape.

Additionally, Shahidi achieved a historic milestone as the first black Tinker Bell, a role she portrayed in Disney's live-action adaptation of "Peter Pan & Wendy." Her enchanting performance not only showcased her exceptional talent but also represented a significant leap forward in advancing representation in the entertainment sphere.

Beyond her acting career, Shahidi proudly serves as a global beauty ambassador for Dior, a role that underscores her influence in the realms of fashion and beauty. She has another groundbreaking role as the face of Jean Paul Gaultier's new fragrance, "Divine." This endeavor further cements her position as an extraordinary trailblazer, solidifying her impact across the entertainment and fashion industries.

ENGAGEMENT AND ADVOCACY

Not only does Shahidi entertain, she also speaks out on issues including gender inequality, environmental issues, education, world inequality and many more.

In 2018, led by wanting more education in the political landscape, Shahidi founded Eighteen x 18, a youth-led initiative encouraging young people to vote and get involved in politics. That campaign continued to evolve, especially after she turned 21.

INFLUENCE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA

Shahidi has a huge following on her social media platforms. In addition to sharing content that is fun, glamorous and related to fashion and beauty, she also seeks audience opinions that appreciate her snippets as real, relatable and intelligent. This works rather well in the present world where followers are hard to please and they only want the "real deal."

Shahidi quotes author and activist James Baldwin, who once said, "Do you want to be integrated into a burning house?"

"I think where I see the opportunity created here by Culturs is this idea: Instead of fighting for inclusion in a place that has told us we are not wanted, excitingly [and] enthusiastically creating these spaces, creating new homes that are no longer a fire and as a 'Dina baby myself, I feel like it only becomes more apropos," she says, referring to the area in Altadina, Calif., U.S.A. where she grew up that was ravaged by wildfires only weeks earlier.

To learn more about how Yara Shahidi uses her skills to transform the media landscape, scan the code below.

cultursmag.com/how-alchemist-award-honoree-

by Creative Artists

CELEBRATING RUTH VAN REKEN

Lifetime achievement award

Over 70 friends and relatives gathered in

Aurora, Ill., U.S.A. this summer to celebrate the 80th birthday of Third Culture Kid author, Families in Global Transition Co-Founder and Alchemist Award honoree Ruth Van Reken.

The "Global Gathering," brainchild of Megan NortonNewbanks, highlighted Van Reken's decades of service to the globally mobile community.

In addition to the in-person attendees, many more participated virtually through pre-recorded messages. The event fostered a strong sense of connection and a collective desire to come together again.

The event also featured a keynote address by Van Reken, where she went through the history of FIGT, from its humble beginnings at her kitchen table to annual conferences prior to the global pandemic in Texas, Washington DC, the Netherlands and Thailand that attracted participants from all across the globe.

Van Reken, who co-founded FIGT along with Christine Dowdeswell, Margie Becker and Janet Fischer, talked about how lessons from FIGT's past can best prepare its members for the present and the future. She used the theme "Enlarging Our Tents," in that a tent is moveable, you can take it home with you, the walls aren't rigid, lengthened cords help make room for more and it can grow rather than being replaced.

Van Reken also gave due credit to some of the pioneers before FIGT relating to Third Culture Kids, including David Pollock,

Ruth Hill Useem, Ann Baker Cottrell and Normal McCaig. Additionally, she highlighted the work of Joe Parfitt and Robin Pascoe regarding spouse/expat issues and publishing.

Further, she quoted Philip Cheale, author of the book "My God Can Be Trusted At Home and Abroad," who wrote that "we lose our sense of self if we forget that we are the place where the past flows into the future."

Van Reken recalled a conversation in 1980 with noted British American author, editor and speaker Jill Briscoe, where the latter told her: "In the end, you will be surprised with what has happened. Too many people never do anything because they don't know how to do everything."

The FIGT co-founder remarked that "we are working and living in the middle of an unprecedented global 'social experiment,'" with those who are globally mobile being "players on the field, not spectators in the stands."

"We have much to give, even as we have much to learn," she continued.

Together, we're part of the discovery process of how these global changes impact individuals, families, societies and nations, according to Van Reken.

Another major lesson was to celebrate when others build on your dream and do a better job than you did or can, she said.

Through all the changes at FIGT, what has stood the test of time, according to Van Reken, has been the following:

• "We care — about families, about each other, about our world.

• "We care about how we can make a difference.

• "We believe in networking across sectors.

• "Our goal is not selfpromotion but finding the common threads in our experiences despite the differences in the specifics."

Van Reken also talked about the evolution of the term "CrossCultural Kids," which she noted includes not just TCKs but also hearing children of deaf adults, children of immigrants or minorities or refugees, borderlander kids, international adoptees, mixed-race kids and more.

As for the future, Van Reken implored attendees not to forget the lessons of FIGT, notably:

• "You have a unique assignment in the history of the world — if you don't do it, nobody else can."

• "You don't have to wait for the experts.

• "Ask: What is the one thing you can do next?

• "Know when you need help.

• "Celebrate when others build on your dream."

Energized by this momentum, several conversations emerged among the attendees around rekindling in-person events within the FIGT community.

To read more comments from Ruth Van Reken's birthday celebration, scan the code below. cultursmag.com/celebrating-ruth-van-reken/

by John

SHEILA THOMAS

Inaugural alchemist award

by Creative Artists Agency

When Sheila Thomas enters a room, something changes. Her presence is calm yet commanding — a quiet force that draws people inward before urging them to reach outward. To Thomas, “giants” are not distant legends, but untapped reservoirs of courage, creativity and justice already living within us. Her life’s work has been to awaken them.

Thomas, the director of family services for the Watts Labor Community Action Committee in Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.A., speaks with both tenderness and fire. She describes giants as the powers within that “sleep inside us until we dare to call them by name.” In communities often silenced or overlooked, she sees not limitation, but dormant brilliance. Her mission: to help people recognize their magnitude and step fully into it.

It is this unwavering commitment to transformation that makes Thomas the inaugural 2025 Alchemist Award honoree. Culturs celebrates individuals who cross boundaries, challenge narratives and alchemize struggle into strength. Thomas embodies that ethos.

Her philosophy is deceptively simple: awakening a giant begins with naming it. That might mean confronting fear, reclaiming identity or reimagining possibility. Once named, giants

do what giants do — they rise. And in rising, they inspire others to do the same.

Thomas’ message is not reserved for the privileged few. It is universal, resonating across borders and identities. Whether mentoring young leaders, building bridges across cultures or standing at the front of a stage, she reminds us that greatness is not distant — it is already here, waiting.

Thomas challenges us all: “What giant within you is ready to be unleashed?”

The answer may very well shape the world to come.

To learn more about the transformative work of the Unleashing Giants organization, scan the code below. cultursmag.com/genius-in-the-hood-providing-

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By John Liang

Nestled in the heart of the Middle East, the

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan stands as a remarkable testament to culture, historical richness and harmonious coexistence.

Despite its modest size and challenging geopolitical environment, Jordan’s tapestry of civilizations — both ancient and modern — creates a vibrant, cultural identity that distinguishes it as one of the most fascinating countries in the region.

Jordan's beauty lies not only in its breathtaking landscapes, from the sweeping desert of Wadi Rum to the tranquil waters of the Dead Sea, but also in the deeprooted multiculturalism that defines its society.

The land that is now modernday Jordan has been home to a succession of civilizations including the Nabataeans, Romans, Byzantines and Umayyads. This history is vividly etched into the landscape, most notably in Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Carved into rose-colored rock by the Nabataeans more than 2,000 years ago, Petra represents a cultural fusion of Eastern traditions and Hellenistic architecture, a symbol of Jordan’s historical role as a bridge between continents and cultures.

If you ever visit Petra on horseback, don't be surprised if you start involuntarily humming John Williams' "Raiders of the Lost Ark" theme, as scenes from the 1989 movie "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" were actually filmed there.

Equally telling is Jerash, often referred to as the "Pompeii of the East." Here, Roman colonnaded streets, temples and theaters reflect the Greco-Roman influence, yet coexist with early Islamic art and structures nearby. This coexistence continues in Amman, the capital city, where modern skyscrapers rise beside ancient citadels and mosques, encapsulating the nation’s blend of past and present.

Jordan is home to a diverse population that includes Arabs, Circassians and Armenians, among others. Many of these communities settled in Jordan centuries ago, fleeing persecution or seeking refuge, and were welcomed into the national fabric. For example, the Circassians, who arrived in the late 19th century from the Caucasus, have maintained their language, traditions and even traditional dress, while also playing significant roles in Jordanian society and government.

Religious diversity is another cornerstone of Jordan’s identity. While the majority of Jordanians are Sunni Muslims, the country is known for its religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence. A significant Christian minority — comprising various denominations such as Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenian Apostolic — lives and

worships freely. Jordan’s role as custodian of Christian and Islamic holy sites further reinforces its image as a nation of spiritual inclusivity. Sites such as Mount Nebo, where Moses is believed to have viewed the Promised Land, and Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the site of Jesus’ baptism, draw pilgrims from around the world.

One of the most profound demonstrations of Jordan’s multicultural character is its longstanding role as a safe haven for refugees.

The country has opened its doors to waves of displaced peoples — from Palestinians in 1948 and 1967, to Iraqis in the early 2000s and Syrians since the outbreak of civil war in 2011. While the influx has undoubtedly placed strains on resources, it has also enriched Jordan’s cultural landscape, introducing new traditions, dialects, cuisines and artistic expressions that have been woven into the national identity.

Jordanian cuisine itself tells another story: The national dish, mansaf, reflects Bedouin roots and Jordanian hospitality, while other popular dishes — such as kibbeh, tabbouleh and maqluba — carry influences from neighboring Lebanon, Syria and Palestine. The Circassian dish shashlik and the Armenian lahmajoun are still prepared in communities that preserve these distinct culinary heritages. Food in Jordan is more than sustenance; it’s a celebration of community.

In contemporary Jordan, multiculturalism continues to thrive through art, education and public life. The capital, Amman, is a melting pot where traditional crafts like mosaic-making and weaving are kept alive alongside modern galleries, music festivals and literary events that feature

artists from around the world. Institutions like the Royal Film Commission and Amman Design Week promote dialogue across cultures and foster innovation rooted in tradition.

Furthermore, Jordan’s emphasis on education, dialogue and youth engagement ensures that multiple cultures are not only preserved but celebrated. Programs that promote intercultural understanding and community service are widespread, helping to build bridges between different groups and generations.

Jordan's beauty lies in its unique ability to embrace and harmonize the old with the new, the local with the foreign, and the traditional with the progressive. Its history is a chronicle of civilizations interacting, overlapping and enriching one another.

Jordan's people — diverse in origin, faith and language — stand as a testament to resilience and unity. In a region often characterized by conflict, the country offers a powerful example of coexistence, tolerance and cultural pride.

Whether through its ancient ruins, diverse communities or warm hospitality, Jordan continues to inspire those who visit or call it home with its enduring spirit.

In

contemporary Jordan, multiculturalism continues to thrive through art, education and public life.

To learn more about all the delights that Jordan has to offer, scan the code below. cultursmag.com/joyful-jordan-a-tapestry

TREE OF LIFE

In Persian rugs, the Tree of Life motif symbolizes growth, fertility, interconnectedness, and prosperity, representing the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. The design features a central tree with spreading branches, often surrounded by animals and flowers. Originating from ancient times, this universal symbol was adapted by Persian weavers to incorporate their own religious and cultural values, and its intricate designs in materials like wool and silk are believed to bring good fortune to the home. Enjoy a Tree of Life illustration made by Culturs Art Director, Diana Vega in the next pages.

From shows to watch and songs to hear, to artistry, shopping and things to explore, know and do, here’s a specially curated list of things we recommend as MUST experience items for the culturally fluid.

THEMUSTLIST

‘MILITARY KID SONG’ SPREADS JOY IN SASEBO, JAPAN

Asong dedicated to Military BRATs — and

sung by them — has been released on YouTube.

The “Military Kid Song” was written by a retiring educator who teaches for the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) to celebrate the unique experiences of militaryconnected students.

In 2017, Ryan Davis, who at that time served as a music teacher at Yokota West Elementary School in Japan, was leading a musical program for the Month of the Military Child.

“As I was preparing for the event, I couldn’t find a song about military kids living overseas,” Davis says. “With my music background and a class in composing during college, I felt confident I could put together a song to fill the need.”

Davis located a studio in Sasebo, reached out to the owner and a special cultural exchange opportunity followed. The owner, Hitoshi Yamachika, who also teaches music, not only agreed to allow Davis and DODEA students to record using his space – he also welcomed the use of his students’ talent for the instruments on the recording.

“The goal of the recording is to provide a song for the overseas military community, so they have a song written specifically about them for future Month of the Military Child events,” Davis says.

Scan the code below to listen to the “Military Kid Song” on YouTube. cultursmag.com/military-kid-song-spreads-joy

‘BOAT BABY: A MEMOIR’: TV SHOW HOST’S JOURNEY FROM VIETNAM TO THE U.S.

For Adult Third Culture Kid (TCK) Vicky Nguyen, her parents’

grit and resilience in leaving Vietnam as refugees and settling in the United States are what helped her become a successful television host and author.

Growing up in a bicultural environment shaped much of Nguyen’s perspective in writing her book “Boat Baby: A Memoir.” When asked how her Vietnamese heritage influenced her identity as she navigated life in the United States, she says she’s “grateful” for that upbringing.

“It was tough to be different and to move to a new school every year between Kindergarten and 5th grade, but it helped me learn how to adapt, make friends across a lot of groups, and get comfortable with the only thing in life that you can count on: change,” she says.

“I looked different; I ate different food; I had parents who didn’t know all the customs of being an American kid like sleepovers, dating in middle school, talking about feelings,” Nguyen adds. “But they did the best they could with what they had, and ultimately, that was the foundation for my confidence navigating the ups-and-downs of life.”

Scan the code below to learn more about Vicky Nguyen’s book “Boat Baby: A Memoir.” cultursmag.com/boat-baby-a-memoir-chronicles-

‘BEING BEBE’: HONORING DRAG AND TRADITIONAL AFRICAN ROOTS

“Being BeBe” is the story about

Marshall Ngwa, an African artist whose identity hinges on the complicated success of his drag persona, BeBe Zahara Benet. Grounded by Ngwa’s own present-day narration, the film features 15 years of vérité, interviews and performances illustrating his journey to “Queer Black Excellence.”

From his COVID-standstill in Minneapolis, Minn., U.S.A., Ngwa watches and reacts vibrantly to sequences the filmmakers have shot with him over the years. Like everyone in Minneapolis, he grieves the tragedy of George Floyd. Just months before, 2020 was poised to be BeBe’s “breakthrough year,” with a new TV show, music album and live show – until COVID-19 hit.

The clips unfurl a time capsule: His early days as a promising amateur drag performer in the Minneapolis clubs, his family backstory and immigrant narrative.

Directed by filmmaker Emily Branham, “Being Bebe” follows the ups and downs of Ngwa’s remarkable journey over 15 years, from the earliest days of his amateur career in Minneapolis to his emergence as a national icon in drag performance culture.

Throughout it all, Ngwa — aka BeBe — honors the deep connection he still maintains with his traditional African roots and family.

Scan the code below to check out the trailer for “Being BeBe: The BeBe Zahara Benet Documentary.” cultursmag.com/being-bebe-documentary

‘LETTERS NOW SENT’

A COMPILATION OF STORIES OF THE GLOBALLY MOBILE

If you’re a fan of Ruth Van Reken, co-author of “Third Culture Kids:

Growing Up Among Worlds” as well as the seminal “Letters Never Sent,” a new book of essays compiled by Megan Norton-Newbanks might be right up your alley.

“Letters Now Sent: A Collection of Letters from the Globally Mobile” is a moving collection of real, heartfelt letters written by and to individuals who have lived cross-culturally.

Inspired by Van Reken’s “Letters Never Sent,” this new volume opens a window into the emotional landscapes of identity, belonging and transition.

Compiled by lifelong letterwriter and Third Culture Kid (TCK) Consultant Megan NortonNewbanks, “Letters Now Sent” is more than a book — it’s a cultural

archive. The book offers a unique collection — a living record of shared identity and experience. These signed, purposeful letters capture the complexity of navigating multiple worlds. They carry apology, affirmation, grief, celebration, disappointment, gratitude and above all, love. These aren’t anonymous reflections or polished essays — they’re primary-source documents that preserve and speak directly to the challenges and beauty of crossing cultures and borders.

Whether you’re globally mobile, love someone who is or are simply drawn to stories shaped by diverse cultural influences, “Letters Now Sent” offers an amazingly intimate view into layered identities and the enduring power of handwritten connection as both art and historical record.

To purchase a copy of "Letters Now Sent," scan the code below. cultursmag.com/letters-now-sent-compiles-stories-

RESEARCHING THIRD CULTURE KIDS

• Claire D’attoma: Exploring Third Culture Parenting from the perspective of mothers

A Podcast That Covers the

Latest Studies on TCKs

If you’re into the current state of research on Third Culture Kids

(TCKs), Cross-Cultural Kids (CCKs), expat families and international life in general, you’ll want to check out the TCK Research Podcast. Every episode, hosts Mathieu Gagnon and Andrea Schmitt interview a leading researcher on topics central to the TCK experience.

Episodes posted to date include:

• Dr. Cheryl Hartman: How Missionary Kid experiences shape later adult lives

• Dr. Magdalena Mosanya: How TCKs’ identity configurations relate to their views on the environment

• Dr. Chloé Donohue: Reviewing the published studies on TCK issues concerning identity and belonging

• Dr. Jennie Germann Molz: Worldschooling, Global citizenship and Emotion

• Dr. Yuima Mizutani: Exploring the experiences of TCK Confucian Asian college students

• Dr. Filipič Sterle: Expatriate Family Adjustment, Challenges and Resources

• Dr. Courtney Giboi and Dr. Sanjay Nath: How multicountry immersers develop transnational Identities

• Dr. Ragnhild Holmen Bjørnsen: Assumed privilege, feeling rules and emotion regulation in TCKs

• Dr Kristin Long: Exploring the fractured stories of TCKs with expressive arts therapy

• Katja Aegerter: Exploring different stressors related to expatriate spouses/partners’ wellbeing

Scan the code below to listen to the TCK Research Podcast. cultursmag.com/researching-third-culture-kids-a-

Whether it’s in front of the camera or behind it, Netflix’s megahit movie “Kpop Demon Hunters” exudes the cultural fluidity championed by the Culturs community.

The movie centers around HUNTR/X, a Kpop group made up of three young women: Rumi, Mira and Zoey. Lead singer Rumi strives to hide her half-demon ancestry; Mira is the group’s visual and lead dancer and the “black sheep of her family,” and the youngest member Zoey, the rapper and lyricist, was born outside of Korea in what the movie cheekily narrates “somewhere called Burbank, U.S.A.”

By John Liang

But the cross-cultural vibes don’t end in front of the camera — they extend well behind it, too.

Maggie Kang, the movie’s co-director, was born in Seoul and her family emigrated to Toronto, Canada when she was 5 years old.

“There’s no other medium like film to break down barriers,” Kang says in an interview with the RepresentASIAN Project.

“Making a movie very culturally specific allows you to open people’s eyes and say, ‘Look, this character is Korean, these girls are Korean and the food they eat is Korean. But at the end of the day, we’re all kind of the same anywhere we go.”

In a separate interview with the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE), Kang says while there were many female superheroes in movies, she didn’t feel like she was seeing them “in the way that I wanted to see them, which was, like, very real.”

“Women who are a little silly and were a lot silly and eat a lot and had potbellies and were allowed to look quote-unquote ‘ugly,’ and make weird faces,” she continues. “So I was like, OK, this is the type of woman I want to see.”

In addition to Kang, most of the voice and singing actors were born in South Korea and emigrated to the United States or Canada at around the ages of 5 and 6.

May Hong, who plays the speaking voice of Mira, was born in South Korea and emigrated with her family to the U.S. at age 6. She subsequently grew up in Flushing, Queens, N.Y., and after college started a career as a model before going into entertainment.

Andrew Choi, the singing voice of Jinu, was born in South Korea and grew up in the United States after his family emigrated to New Jersey, U.S.A. when he was 5 years old.

Ahn Hyo-seop, the speaking voice of Jinu, was also born in South Korea but emigrated with his family to Canada when he was 6 years old.

Ejae, the singing voice of Rumi, spent much of her early life in both South Korea and the United States, balancing her time between the two countries.

“Making a movie very culturally specific allows you to open people’s eyes and say, ‘Look, this character is Korean, these girls are Korean and the food they eat is Korean. But at the end of the day, we’re all kind of the same anywhere we go.”

Her experiences in South Korea as a Kpop trainee and the U.S. have significantly influenced her music, allowing her to blend Eastern and Western musical elements seamlessly.

Winning a Grammy for her work on the movie “wouldn’t just be a personal milestone,” she says in an interview with The Korea Herald. “It would be a message to every Asian American girl who’s ever felt impostor syndrome in this industry.”

Additionally, there’s the representation aspect, according to Ejae.

“As an Asian American, specifically a Korean American woman, I don’t really see enough people who look like me in the pop and K-pop industry,” she says.

In an interview with Variety, Ejae says one of the biggest assets she brought when writing the songs “was being bilingual.”

“It was important for our co-director, Maggie Kang, to have Korean in the lyrics, and I just love that it’s not just the verses,” Ejae says, “it was in the actual song too.”

The fact that all three singing voices — Ejae, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna — are bicultural was also important, according to Ejae.

“As an Asian American, specifically a Korean American woman, I don’t really see enough people who look like me in the pop and K-pop industry,” she says.

“It’s not just Korean girls singing the songs,” she says. “It feels surreal, and that’s what I wish I had growing up. People didn’t know where Korea was. I grew up used to watching animation not set in Korea.”

The movie’s been so popular that when Netflix scheduled a series of sing-along showings at movie theaters in North America and Europe, they sold out fast.

“When I went to the singalong, I saw these little girls singing Korean, which warms my heart,” Ejae says. “It feels great to spread Korean culture all over the world. It wasn’t like randomly adding Korean words; it was important to me to make Korean work seamlessly into English. It was a great learning experience

and a fun challenge to have, and a great way to express a song that both Koreans and Americans can relate to.”

Nuna, who sings as Mira, grew up in the U.S. “hiding my skankyass [Korean] lunches” and is very “grateful” for the broad acceptance of the movie.

Being raised in the suburbs of New Jersey, U.S.A., “not really surrounded by a lot of people who looked like myself, I think I grew up feeling this sense of comfort in walking these two lines between these two worlds,” Nuna says in an interview on YouTube’s “Zach Sang Show.”

“Because of that, I’ve been very emboldened to go on this journey of embracing my full self and not denying any parts of myself and just being able to say, ‘We’re all unique, we’re all different and we can be our full selves,’ and I think that’s what the world needs is for us to all be our full selves,” she says. “I think in embracing all your fears, your full self is really, ultimately what allows you to be your best self.”

The movie’s success is “really surreal,” Nuna adds.

“I think the reason that it is resonating at this level, and not just with the kids, but the adults is because, yes, it is so likable, so entertaining,” she says. “It’s so colorful, it’s exciting.

“Now, I understand, I’m Korean American. I’m Asian American, right? And as much as I try to be as Korean as possible, that’s hard. And I’ve tried,”

“But at the same time, it just really speaks to the Korean American, and therefore the human experience, of just belonging and facing your fears and some really philosophicaltype shit. And that is just, to me, the biggest accomplishment for the team,” she concludes.

Ji-Young Yoo, who plays the speaking voice of Zoey, notes in a Netflix behind-the-scenes video that her character is “the only Korean American in the group, and I think Zoey is trying to figure out what that means and where she belongs.”

Arden Cho, who was born and raised in the U.S. and is the speaking voice of Rumi, says in that same Netflix BTS video that she relates “so much to Rumi.”

“Growing up in America, I wanted to look totally different, I wanted to have blond hair and blue eyes and that was what was beautiful,” she says. “I always felt like being Asian or looking the way that I did was something to hide. To be a part of a film like this, where Rumi is Korean, and part-Demon, part-Hunter, all of this is what makes her truly special and amazing. This movie was so meaningful, and I hope that girls growing up like me wouldn’t think ‘I want to be someone different,’ but that they would want to be who they are.”

For Cho, fully embracing her Korean side didn’t take place until her 20s.

“My first 20 years of life, if anybody asked me what I was, I said I was American. If anybody asked me where I was from, I said Texas. I didn’t understand what it meant. Oh, my mom and dad? Yeah, they’re Korean, but I’m American, right? That was me as a child,” she says in a “Collider Ladies Night” podcast interview.

Nowadays, in her 30s, Cho is fully aware of who she is.

“Now, I understand, I’m Korean American. I’m Asian American, right? And as much as I try to be as Korean as possible, that’s hard. And I’ve tried,” she says, adding: “I think that’s why I love doing things like ‘Kpop Demon Hunters’ or ‘Maybe Happy Ending’ because I might not be Korean Korean, but I can get to feel really proud of our culture and where we come from and things that when growing up might have felt like a handicap or might have felt like something to hide are now something I’m so immensely proud of.”

To watch the trailer and behindthe-scenes videos for “Kpop Demon Hunters,” scan the code below. cultursmag.com/why-kpop-demon-hunters

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