Hiro Kanagawa: Identity, Fighting Stereotypes, and opening the doors for others.

Hiro Kanagawa

All of the opportunities we enjoy today—everything from civil liberties to social standings to professional opportunities are made possible because of all those who preceded us. But what did they have to overcome to make this possible?

Hiro Kanagawa is an actor with over 200 credits that include everything from Smallville, NBC’s “Heroes Reborn” to Taishi Okamura in Amazon’s “Man in the High Castle” to Captain Tanaka in Netflix’s “Altered Carbon.” Now, he’ll be joining Star Trek Discovery. He’s also an award winning playwright. But these incredible achievements have been hard fought. At the start of his career, Hiro has struggled with the very limited opportunities that existed for Asians. He faced dilemmas like do you take the very few parts available but know that you are also reinforcing stereotypes?

It is a delicate negotiation between whether or not to take what was give-stay in that lane and the impact that it would have on your own personal self worth. Hiro has been at the forefront and shares how he navigated this process, what he had to do not only to build his own career but open the doors for all those who follow. And listen in on what his thoughts are on whether or not he thinks any progress has been made.

Hiro’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hirokanagawatv

Hiro’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hirokanagawatv/

Reppin 5.5: Russell Horsnby

Russell Hornsby

Photo credit: Benjo Arwas

Russell Hornsby is a talented actor who has a commanding presence on and off screen. You’ve seen him as Detective Hank Griffin on the NBC series Grimm, Carl Gatewood in the Showtime series The Affair, Edward "Eddie" Sutton on ABC Family’s Lincoln Heights, Luke on the HBO drama In Treatment and he gave a masterful performance as Maverick Carter in the film The Hate U Give.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with Russell on multiple projects. In between takes, I found myself in a corner of the room having deep conversations with him. His perspective and the insights shared always made reflect.

Here, he shares some of the lessons learned and what made him the man he is. He also shares the importance of mentorship, who he learned from and how he’s paying it forward.

This is a small sampling at what some of our conversations were like. Listen in!

Russell’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/russellhornsby

Russell’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russoulhornsby/?hl=en

Reppin 4.8: Patrick Sabongui

Patrick Sabongui

Photo Credit: Brick Patrick

Patrick Sabongui is a talented actor with a long list of impressive credits. He’s been in Netflix’s wildly popular shows Virgin River and Firefly Lane. You’ve also seen him CW’s The Flash and Showtime’s Homeland and Shameless.

He has a great body of work but throughout his career he has faced the challenges of being labeled and he’s struggled with playing and perpetuating stereotypes on screen.

Because of that, Patrick is a fierce advocate for anti-racism and representation in the arts, Patrick is co-chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee for the Union of British Columbia Performers and the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, TV and Radio Artists (UBCP/ACTRA) and on the Diversity Committee for the Jessie Richardson Awards (British Columbia’s Theatre Recognition Awards).

Patrick talks about the constant balancing act of keeping with his sense of integrity, being a good example to his community and his son with the practical needs of getting projects to provide for his family. His shares how he navigates this universal challenge and how he’s giving back.

Patrick’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatrickSabongui

Patrick’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricksabongui/?hl=en

Reppin 4.7: Dr. Samantha Yammine AKA Science Sam

Dr. Samantha Yammine

Photo Credit: Al Quintero

Dr. Samantha Yammine is a Neuroscientist and popular Science Communicator better known as Science Sam.

Throughout her life and career, she’s faced challenges and understands what it’s like to be overlooked. Because of this, she is passionate about empowering people to explore science by making it more familiar, accessible, and inclusive.

She’s harnassing the power of social media like instagram, Tik Tok to make science more accessible, and garnering millions of views every month to better help people assess risk, spot misinformation, and have informed discussions with their friends and family.

She has been a guest Science Correspondent for a variety of shows on Netflix, TVO Kids, CBC GEM, Discovery UK, CBC Radio, and AsapSCIENCE. Find out how representation and science directly effects YOU. Meet her here on Reppin.

Dr. Samantha Yammine’s website: https://www.samanthayammine.com

Dr. Yammine’s Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/heysciencesam

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/science.sam/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heysciencesam

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd53z3Lp5Wh-335pOMDxO0g

Reppin 4.5: Dr. Chen Fu

Dr. Chen Fu

Dr. Chen Fu is a front line hero. He’s been battling to save lives as hospitals were busting at the seams as patients poured in all desperately sick with Covid-19. Working exhaustively for days that bled into nights and back again, he fought to help as many as possible. Witnessing staggering numbers of devastating loss and gutting goodbyes, often multiple times a day was punishing. Proving time and again, despite his best efforts —they were futile.

While he struggled to help the sick, as a front line responder he was celebrated for what he was doing but the also vilified for what he is— Asian. The duality of this position compounded the situation he was in.

How does it impact him as a doctor? As a person? Did his faith in humanity diminish or has it been renewed?

Reppin 4.3: Kimberly McCullough

Kimberly McCullough

Kimberly McCullough is an incredible talent. She started working at 5 years old appearing in movies like Breakin’2: Electric Boogaloo to Bugsy with Warren Beatty, and has an impressive list of television credits that include The Shield, Firefly, Joan Of Arcadia, All My Children. She’s best known as Robin Scorpio the daughter of super spies Robert Scorpio played by Tristan Rogers and Anna Devane played by Finola Hughes on General Hospital. She originated this role at 7 years old and playing this character on an off through the years into adulthood. And she’s won 2 daytime Emmys for her portrayal.

Now, she’s evolved into an incredible Producer/Director for shows like High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Fuller House, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Carol’s Second Act to The Conners.

She’s grown up in front of audiences and you may THINK you know her. On Reppin she shares what she’s learned throughout her career, challenges she’s overcome and what she’s doing to advocate for others. Meet this incredible woman.

Kimberly’s Twitter:https://twitter.com/whitewatercrew

Kimberly’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimmeabreak/

Reppin 4.2: Brandon Victor Dixon

Brandon Victor Dixon

Brandon Victor Dixon has an expansive list of credits that range from Broadway’s Hamilton, The Color Purple to television’s Rent Live, Jesus Christ Superstar to STARZ’s Power.

Brandon has also appeared in concert with various artists such as Burnt Sugar: The Arkestra Chamber, Jennifer Hudson, Nathan Lane, Wynton Marsalis, Chita Rivera, Liza Minnelli, David Hyde Pierce,  and Tony winners Levi Kries, Kelli O'hara, and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Other Credits include: ABC's One Life To Live, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, ABC's The Good Wife, and NETFLIX’s “She’s Gotta Have It”.

His talent doesn’t end there, h'e’s also a producer! His company WalkRunFly has produced multiple works including the Tony Award winning Hedwig and the Angry Inch starring Neil Patrick Harris, He is co-founder of The WeAre Foundation, a non-profit “Turning Art into Action.”

Millions have seen and heard his voice and talent-but here, you’ll learn what motivates this talented man and what he’s fighting for.

Brandon’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonVDixon

Brandon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonvdixon/?hl=en

We Are Foundation: https://weare.org/

Reppin 3.12: Angela Yee

Angela Yee

Angela Yee is best known as one of the hosts of the nationally syndicated show The Breakfast Club. She is the only female voice on the show which has been the number one radio program in “The Source” Power 30 issue for 5 years in a row. The NYS Broadcasters Association awarded “The Breakfast Club” the 2014 OUTSTANDING ON-AIR BROADCAST PERSONALITY OR TEAM award, and in 2017 the Breakfast Club was awarded the iHeartRadio Urban Personality of the Year Award.

Listeners can hear “Angela Yee’s Rumor Report,” her advice segment “Ask Yee,” and current events with “Front Page News.”  True to her personality, Angela has also continued to expand her brand with her popular podcast “Angela Yee’s Lip Service” and in 2019 she organized the first nationwide tour for “Lip Service Live” with Live Nation

When she’s not in front of the mic or hosting, Angela is also an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. She’s involved with numerous organizations that support everything from health, literacy to groups that promote diversity and inclusion. All of her efforts are varied—but have one thing in common—empathy and to build communities and people up.

Angela has received a WEEN Mission Award, the Shirley Chisholm Woman of Distinction Award, the Vice-Chancellor’s Achievement Award for the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI), a Gracie Award for National Radio Host/Personality, a Gracie Award for her Lip Service podcast, a Spirit of Detroit Award, the Airblazer Award from the Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio Group and Talentmasters Morning Show Bootcamp….to name a few.

What shapes this unstoppable woman? What’s it take to be the solo female voice on a hugely popular show? Where does this drive and commitment to community come from? Find out now. Meet this inspiring, incredible woman-right here on Reppin.

Angela’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/angelayee?s=20

Angela’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelayee/?hl=en

Angela’s Non Profit Well Read: http://wellread.org/

Angela’s Juices For Life: http://juicesforlife.nyc/

Reppin 3.9: Kyle Maynard

Kyle Maynard

Kyle Maynard was born with a rare condition known as congenital amputation, that left him with arms that end at the elbows and legs that end near his knees-but don’t tell him he can’t do something. Kyle was the first man to bear crawl to the top of the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro (19,340 feet), and the summit of Argentina’s Mount Aconcagua (22,838 feet), the highest peak in both the Western and Southern Hemispheres.

He’s an entrepreneur, speaker, best selling author, award-winning extreme athlete. Kyle thrives on physical challenges and is a champion wrestler, CrossFit Certified Instructor and gym owner, competitive Mixed Martial Arts fighter, world record-setting weightlifter, and skilled mountaineer.

He lives by the motto No Excuses. He comes to Reppin sharing his perspectives, lessons and his iron will. So just TRY and keep up with him.

Kyle’s twitter: https://twitter.com/kylemaynard?lang=en

Kyle’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylemaynard/?hl=en

Reppin 3.8: Benjamin Von Wong

Benjamin Von Wong

Benjamin Von Wong is a talented innovative, creative, artist, photographer and activist. His work has been described as a mix of fantasy and photography and combines everyday objects with shocking statistics. It has attracted the attention of corporations, like Starbucks, Dell, and Nike and has generated over 100 million views for causes like ocean plastics, electronic waste, and fashion pollution. Most recently, he was named one of Adweek’s 11 content branded masterminds.

He is also the host of the Impact Everywhere Podcast.

Meet this incredible talent as he shares what he’s learned and how he infuses his creativity with purpose and how he’s working to make a change.

Benjamin’s website: https://www.vonwong.com/

Benjamin’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevonwong?s=20

Benjamin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vonwong/?hl=en

Impact Everywhere: https://impacteverywhere.org/

Photo Courtesy: Benjamin Von Wong

Photo Courtesy: Benjamin Von Wong

Reppin 3.7: AJ Mendez

AJ Mendez

Photo Courtesy: Cathy and David Photography

AJ Mendez is a former professional wrestling champion with the WWE under the ring name AJ Lee. Don’t let her diminutive stature fool you, she was a formidable opponent. She threw people around like a short order cook threw pancakes onto a plate. With her trademark black widow submission move, she easily took out her competitors. But in real life--nothing came easily for her.

In her autobiography, which was a New York Times best seller, Crazy Is My Super Power, she details what it was like being a petite Puerto Rican girl growing up in an unstable home, struggling with poverty, homelessness and mental illness to how comics, wrestling and her fans helped change her life. 

Because of her own personal struggles, she is a mental health advocate, and is an ambassador to The Jed Foundation and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

If that’s not enough, she also partnered with actress Aimee Garcia and founded Scrappy Heart Productions. Together, as Latin X storytellers, they want to create the change they want to see in the media and to tell stories that have universal themes.

She is a warrior. Meet this incredible woman, who is breaking boundaries, who has overcome so many personal challenges and now she’s out in front working to help others.

AJ’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheAJMendez

AJ’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theajmendez/

Mental Health Resources:

National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI.org

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)

Reppin 3.5: Aydian Dowling

Aydian Dowling

Aydian Dowling is most known for being the First Transgender Man on the cover of Mens Health Magazine, and appearing on the Ellen Degeneres show, twice! Using his own personal struggles he has given voice to the trans community, documenting his personal transition and sharing it on line. Since then, Aydian has been creating content answering questions and offering insight to those who may still be struggling.

In 2016, Aydian launched PointofPride.org a non profit which helps Transgender individuals around the world through programming and funding to help Trans people live more authentically in their bodies. 

On Reppin, Aydian talks about how he went from hiding who he was, how he summoned the courage to being liberated to live his most authentic life and finding acceptance and love. His story is one about overcoming fears, other people’s expectations and labels to truly embracing who you are.

Aydian’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/AydianDowling

Aydian’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alionsfear/

Point Of Pride: https://pointofpride.org/

Aydian’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5IabAzRyXqLpAib13Q2yw

Reppin 3.2: Keala Settle

Keala Settle

From stage to screen, Keala Settle is a powerhouse talent. She made her Broadway debut in 2011 Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, then originated the role of Norma Valverde in Hands On A Hardbody on Broadway in 2013 and was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award and Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Her other credits include Hairspray, Les Miserables and Waitress. In 2017, she portrayed Lettie Lutz in the film The Greatest Showman with Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron and Zendaya and sang the song “This Is Me. ” The song won the 2018 Golden Globe award for best original song and nominated for an Academy Award for the same category. In this very candid conversation, she shares why this award winning song made her feel so incredibly vulnerable and where she finds her strength and sense of belonging now.

Keala’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/kealasettle

Reppin 3.1: Nathalie Kelley

Nathalie Kelley

Nathalie Kelley, a Peruvian born actress known for her leading roles from the mega movie Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, Vampire Diaries, Dynasty, UnREAL, Body Of Proof and Baker And The Beauty has a powerful discussion on REPPIN! She shares what devastated her, the awakening she had experienced, what she’s learned, how it’s changed her life and all the ways she’s giving back. Nathalie breaks down her project Ritual Community-how it’s set up to represent and serve underrepresented groups, honor ancient traditions and lineages and help enrich your life. This is an insightful and inspiring conversation with a talented actress and fierce activist who is out in front to preserve our earth, heritage and ultimately, make an impact on this world.

Nathalie’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/natkelley

Nathalie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natkelley/

Ritual Community: https://ritualcommunity.mn.co/

Reppin 2.12: Nicola Correia-Damude

Nicola Correia-Damude

Nicola Correia-Damude is an award winning actor and singer. You’ve seen her on Shadowhunters, Burden Of Truth, October Faction, The Strain, Coroner and My Spy. Nicola has also been nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for her Guest Starring performance on Remedy and received the Best Actress in a feature film award at the San Diego FilmOut Festival for her work in Margarita. Nicola comes to REPPIN and shares her personal challenges of being mixed race, self identification, body diversity, inequalities, what she’s learned and what she’s doing to open doors for others. You’ll see she’s not only a talented actress and singer-but she’s out in front working to open doors for others.

Nicola’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicolancd

Nicola’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolasummer/?hl=en

Reppin 2.11: Aarti Sequeria

Aarti Sequeira

Aarti Sequeira is a popular mainstay on Food Network after winning season six of Food Network Star with her trademark combination of an infectious giggle and a unique food signature: American favorites with an Indian soul. She steps out of the kitchen to hang out on Reppin. She talks about her upbringing and how those experiences have helped her move through the world. She reveals her first choice for a career, hardships she faced and her path to being one of the most popular and beloved food personalities.

Aarti’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/aartipaarti

Aarti’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aartipaartipics/?hl=en

Reppin 2.10: Beth Sullivan

Beth Sullivan

Beth Sullivan trail blazed for women when she created, wrote and served as the sole executive producer of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman-one of the most popular and beloved series of the 90s. The series starred Jane Seymour who plays Dr. Michaela “Mike” Quinn a doctor who leaves a privileged life in Boston to carve a career out in the old West. The series ran on CBS for six seasons and aired in over 100 countries! Beth shares how fought to create a series that was western, a genre that hadn’t been on air in years, in a time slot that was considered a throw away, that had excitement, integrity and substance. Beth shares how she had the strength to fight for what she believed in and how that lead her to one the biggest hits in television history, how she opened doors for other women and her decades long friendship with Jane! Beth also updates us on her life and the possible reboot!

Reppin 2.9: Rebecca Love

Rebecca Love

A pandemic is raging around the world, as front line heroes, like doctors and nurses are desperately fighting to save lives. But who is fighting for them? Meet Rebecca Love. She is a nurse entrepreneur, author, TedX Speaker and the first nurse featured on Ted.com, and part of the inaugural nursing panel featured at SXSW 2018. In 2019, Rebecca, along with a group of leading nurses in the world, founded and is President of SONSIEL: The Society of Nurse Scientists, Innovators, Entrepreneurs & Leaders, a non-profit that quickly attained recognition by the United Nations as an Affiliate Member to the UN. As a nurse, she has had her share of crisis where life and death can rest in her choices. Rebecca shares some of the experiences she’s found herself in, how she navigated them and how those situations was where she found her voice and her grit.

SONSIEL: https://www.sonsiel.org/

Reppin 2.8: Osric Chau

Osric Chau

Osric Chau is a Canadian actor and martial artist who starred as Kevin Tran on the CW’s mega hit Supernatural! Some of his other credits include Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, Blood and Water, Demon X, Arrow and The Flash. Osric shares some personal stories about self identity and discovery, you’ll find out what risks he’s taken, if they have paid off, what he’s learned and what he’s doing be the change he wants to see. This is an incredibly insightful conversation with this amazing talent.

Osric’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/OsricChau

Reppin 2.6: Liris Crosse

Liris Crosse

Liris Crosse, dubbed “The “Body” and “The Naomi Campbell of Plus” is a model/actress and trailblazer in the fashion industry for full-figured and African American women pushing curvy women into mainstream fashion!

In 2015, Liris was one of a few models selected to walk the runway for reality TV competition, Project Runway’s, first ever plus size collection at New York Fashion Week. That honor was followed by being chosen as one of the models for the show’s first season to include plus size models for the weekly competition premiering in August 2017. Liris was also named one of the two model winners of Project Runway to be featured in Marie Claire magazine, a first for plus models. You’ve also seen her in American Vogue, Essence to British Cosmopolitan.

Find out what challenges she’s faced, how’s she’s using her platform to help others and what her attitude is on and off the runway.

Liris’ Website: http://www.lirisc.com/

Liris’ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LirisC