In this episode, we continue our New York series by naming the parts of our experience that were heavy, isolating, and difficult to carry.

We reflect on being people of color in a predominantly white graduate program, navigating classroom conversations about race, feeling pressure to educate others, and holding emotional labor that was never formally acknowledged. We talk about the discomfort, the exhaustion, and the moments that shaped how we understand ourselves and our work today.

This conversation is rooted in honesty and reflection. We’re sharing our personal experiences and how they impacted us recognizing that these reflections are our own and don’t represent any institution, individual, or program as a whole.

This episode is about naming what was hard, honoring what we survived, and creating space for conversations that are often left unspoken.

*Disclaimer: We’re sharing our personal experiences from grad school. These reflections are our own and don’t represent any institution, individual, or program as a whole.