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 5.1: Karen Olivo

Karen Olivo

I sign off every episode of Reppin with “Stand Up and Represent.” My next guest truly LIVES this mantra.

Karen Olivo is a powerhouse talent. They’re an American stage and television actor, theater educator, and singer.

In 2008 Karen originated the role of Vanessa in In The Heights on Broadway. The following year, they won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress In A Musical for their performance as Anita in a revival of West Side Story. They are the first and only actor to win a Tony award for a performance in West Side Story. From 2016 to 2017, Olivo portrayed the role of Angelica Schuler  in the Chicago production of Hamilton 2019, Olivo originated the lead role of Satine in the stage adaptation of Moulin Rouge on Broadway and was nominated for the 2020 Tony Award For Best Actress in a Musical.

With this incredible, illustrious career, Karen risked it ALL when they publicly spoke out against a very powerful and influential producer. We’ve all encountered bullies and difficult bosses-but would YOU have the courage, truth —and readiness to do what Karen did? Learn more about this talented, remarkable person and where they draw their strength from. Find out how they’re fighting to ensure civility, kindness and community is present today and for those who follow.

Karen’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenolivo

Karen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenolivo76/?hl=en

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 2.3: Dr. Aaron E. Carroll

Dr. Aaron E. Carroll

We depend on the news and on the people who bring it to us. But who are they? Can you depend on them to bring you facts. Well, today you will meet one of those people-and find out why he’s someone you can count on! Aaron E. Carroll, MD, MS is a Professor of Pediatrics, Associate Dean for Research Mentoring, and the director of the Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Comparative Effectiveness Research at Indiana University School of Medicine. He is also Vice President for Faculty Development at The Regenstrief Institute. In addition to being a regular contributor to The Upshot at The New York Times, he has written for many other major media outlets and is an Editor-in-Chief at The Incidental Economist, an evidence-based health policy blog, and he also has a popular YouTube channel called Healthcare Triage, where he talks about health research and health policy.

Aaron’s twitter: https://twitter.com/aaronecarroll 

Healthcare Triage: https://www.youtube.com/user/thehealthcaretriage