Multiracial Americans Of Southern California

Multiracial Americans of Southern California's (MASC) vision is to celebrate multiracial identity in a racially inclusive world.

MASC’s mission is to advocate for and foster multiracial community and identity.

With this vision and mission in mind, MASC creates activities and designs programs to educate, advocate for, and promote social justice for the multiracial community and increase awareness and understanding amongst the public about multiracial/multiethnic issues.

Multiracial Americans of Southern California (MASC) was founded in 1987 by Nancy G. Brown, a mother of two biracial daughters, and Levonne Gaddy, a multiracial adult, with the mission of building community and advocating for multiracial/ethnic and transracial adoptive families.

- In 1997, MASC played a key role in crafting and supporting the revisions to Federal policy that allowed marking one or more races on the Census through our co-founding of Association of Multi-Ethnic Americans (AMEA). The 2020 U.S. Census was the first time in which multiracial people could self-identify and mark one or more races, capturing data that showed a 276% increase in individuals who identify as ‘two or more races’ since 2010.
- At MASC we are committed to engaging and building community with this rapidly growing mixed race population. It is important for multiracial/ethnic families to have access to an organization that serves as an anchor of support and provides resources specific to their experience.
- MASC creates educational programming that supports parents in affirming their children's multiracial/ethnic identities.
- Research shows that by embracing all of one’s racial/ethnic identities, multiracial/ethnic children have improved mental and emotional wellbeing. At MASC, we encourage our community to be their full authentic, whole selves.
- MASC organizes parent workshops and children’s events, supports forums on transracial adoption, and creates workshops to educate teachers on best practices to be inclusive of multiracial students and families in their schools.
- MASC provides support to multiracial youth and teens by hosting teen discussions that foster a sense of inclusion, offering internships, and coordinating art shows where teens can express themselves and affirm their identities.

“MASC has provided me with an environment where I can celebrate and express every part of myself, and I’m proud to contribute to its mission.”
– Paige, MASC Teen Intern

MASC strives to build a community where multiracial/ethnic people and their families feel a sense of belonging all while affirming and honoring their multiracial/ethnic, multicultural, interfaith and transracial adoptive identities.

Multiracial Americans of Southern California (MASC) creates transformative spaces where multiracial and multicultural individuals and families are seen, celebrated, and supported. For over 30 years, MASC has been a trusted resource across Los Angeles, Orange County, and beyond, affirming mixed race identities and strengthening the mental and emotional well-being of those navigating life between cultures.

MASC fills a critical gap in community support by serving the unique and growing population of multiracial individuals and families. With over 10 million people in the U.S. identifying as multiracial—many residing in Southern California—there remains a significant lack of culturally competent resources, representation, and spaces where their voices are heard and affirmed.

Our culturally responsive programs reach thousands of families each year. Through family-centered and youth-centered events, educational workshops, research collaborations, and cultural celebrations, MASC fosters pride, builds resilience, and connects individuals with others who share similar experiences. We are often the first point of connection for parents raising mixed race children, interracial couples, transracial adoptive families, and youth seeking affirmation and belonging.

Whether it’s through teen identity talks, parent education, or joyful cultural events, our impact is deeply personal and deeply needed. MASC’s work fosters belonging, reduces isolation, combats bias, and strengthens families by promoting healthy identity development and cross-cultural understanding.

Past Accomplishments:
1) Multiple events supporting mixed race community including:
a) Young Artist Showcase, California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick, Objectification Workshop for teens, guest speaker at Fountain Valley High School, and community discussion held at the OC Book Fair.
2) Latinos of Mixed Ancestry Film Festival second season featuring a dozen independent short films and two hundred attendees.
3) Fiscal sponsorship to promote Marrow Donor awareness and scholarship grants for a dozen students.
4) Advocacy for the mixed race community to be able to mark one or more races on the Census.

At Multiracial Americans of Southern California (MASC), one of the greatest needs that we fulfill is creating safe spaces where multiracial/ethnic people can build community together, affirm each other’s experiences, and support one another in navigating familial and societal pressures. There are specific challenges that multiracial/ethnic people face such as feeling pressured to choose one race or ethnicity over the other, feeling isolated, deciding how to blend cultures, religions, languages and traditions in one’s interracial relationship and mixed family, and dealing with societal stereotypes. We aim to create programs and events where multiracial/ethnic youth and adults and transracial adoptive families can talk about their challenges, share stories about their lives, express themselves through art, and connect with one another over similar experiences. Our work deepens multiracial/cultural relationships, promotes positive self-identity, creates a sense of belonging, and raises awareness of the issues specific to our community.

2025 Goals:

1) Expand programs with greater frequency and larger audiences.
2) Develop marketing platforms and strategies to increase reach.
3) Provide scholarships to interns and young artists and performers.
4) Expand Latinos of Mixed Ancestry programming (social and educational events, film festival) into Orange County.
5) Maintain community collaborations to promote the pool of future multiracial organizational leaders

Total: $25,000

Southern California

Multiracial Americans of Southern California (MASC) represents the result of a movement that successfully changed the history in which the multiracial community was invisible, never counted on the Census and often the object of negative stereotypes that caused shame and marginalization. As a result of MASC’s collaborative efforts, the multiracial community can now self-identify accurately on the Census. MASC has been successful since the 1980s in lifting the community so that families, children and individuals can claim all of who they are with elevated self esteem and pride. Our organization continues to promote the coming together of the best that all human beings have to offer to promote thriving and healthy families, adults and children through education, programming and events.

– Nancy G. Brown, MN,CNS, Executive Director of Multiracial Americans of Southern California

At Multiracial Americans of Southern California (MASC), we believe that identity is powerful, representation matters, and community is essential. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, our mission is to strengthen intercultural relationships and foster positive self-identity through advocacy, education, and social justice.

Multiracial and multiethnic individuals navigate unique challenges in a world that often seeks to categorize and simplify identity. Our work is dedicated to ensuring that they are seen, heard, and valued. Through events, seminars, and community-driven programs, we create spaces where diverse voices can connect, learn, and thrive.

By promoting positive intercultural communication, increasing awareness around multiracial/multiethnic experiences, and advocating for inclusive policies, we are building a future where identity is celebrated, not confined. Our work is more than a mission—it is a movement toward greater understanding, representation, and unity.

Together, we can create a society that embraces the richness of diversity and empowers individuals to define their own identities with confidence and pride.

– Delia Douglas Haight, President of Multiracial Americans of Southern California