LGBTQ+ and BIPOC Mental Health Advocacy with James Coleman, City Council Member, South San Francisco

06/30/21 • 58 min

Biracial. Bisexual. Unapologetically Progressive. At 21 years of age, James Coleman is the youngest and first openly LGBTQ+ member to be elected to South San Francisco's City Council.

We talk to James about the remarkable journey he's had - from growing up biracial as a child of a Taiwanese immigrant mother and Caucasian father, to having to care for and lose his father after a spinal cord injury, to finding healing and purpose in social equity and environmental justice while studying at Harvard University.
We explore how being bisexual and biracial have shaped James' view of himself and the world, and why elections aren't just about winning or losing. James shares his dream of empowering a movement of more young, Queer, BIPOC, female and AAPI folks to run for office and advocate for change together. We also talk about how expanding mental health resources, particularly for queer and BIPOC folks, could help end police killings.
About James Coleman:
James Coleman is an elected member of South San Francisco City Council. He is their first openly LGBTQ member, their first democratic socialist and, at 21 years of age, the youngest individual ever elected to the seat. As an undergraduate at Harvard University, James was a cofounder of the Harvard Undergraduates for Environmental Justice, an organizer with Fossil Fuel Divest Harvard, a neuroscience researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital, and a Director with TedxHarvard College. James recently graduated with a degree in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology with a minor in Government. He is expected to be appointed as South San Francisco's Mayor in 2024.
About Thrive Spice: Thrive Spice is a mental health and social equity podcast for Asian Americans, featuring real stories of resilience, grit and joy. It's a safe space that feels like group therapy meets celebrity interview, with a healthy dose of self-care. Join us as we share the untold stories of influential AAPI leaders, activists, entrepreneurs, and creators - and ask how they have found ways to cope, survive and thrive. Our mission is to normalize conversations about mental health and promote social equity in the AAPI, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. Each episode highlights ways to navigate the pressures of family, social media, our careers, our communities and our own minds.
Mental Health and LGBTQ+ Resources:
CAHOOTS Mental Health First Responder Model (Eugene, OR)
TGI Justice Project - (California) TGI Justice Project is a group of transgender, gender variant and intersex people–inside and outside of prisons, jails and detention centers–creating a united family in the struggle for survival and freedom.
STAR and Marsha P. Johnson
episode music courtesy of Uppbeat [ATM - Dreamland]

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Biracial. Bisexual. Unapologetically Progressive. At 21 years of age, James Coleman is the youngest and first openly LGBTQ+ member to be elected to South San Francisco's City Council.

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Previous Episode

Asians Speak Up | Brian Gao and Arin Siriamonthep on Activism, Allyship and Mental Health under Pressure

You're never too young or too old to find your voice. We talk to Brian Gao (incoming NYU Stern '25) and Arin Siriamonthep (Boston University '24) of Asians Speak Up, a New York based AAPI community advocacy group that has been featured on ABC Eyewitness News and Buzzfeed News.
Brian and Arin tell us why the pandemic and recent hate crimes inspired them to create Asians Speak Up as high school students, and how sharing your truth and being part of a bigger movement for change can positively impact your mental health and build confidence in your identity, creative abilities and self-expression.
We talk about real vs. performative allyship in #BLM and #StopAsianHate, and why tennis player Naomi Osaka's recent decision to drop out of the French Open due to depression and anxiety highlights how tennis and competitive sports are just as much a mental game as physical.
About Asians Speak Up:
A New York-based community advocacy group started by Brian Gao (incoming NYU Stern '25) and Arin Siriamonthep (Boston University '24), two students looking to facilitate conversation between Asians and their communities in an attempt to increase awareness about racism to create unity. They hope to develop a platform where Asians across the globe can come together with support and inspiration to help others.

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About Mayuko and Food Liberation:
Mayuko Okai is a Registered Dietitian, yoga teacher, and founder of Food Liberation: a coaching program that helps mindful individuals heal their relationship with food and body.
EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Mayuko is offering a 10% discount for private coaching and self study course for Thrive Spice listeners with the promo code: THRIVE.
Learn more at https://food-liberation.com

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