Real Friends Talk about Race: Bridging the Gaps Through Uncomfortable Conversations

Real Friends Talk About Race is an essential guide for those who want to have stronger interracial relationships—whether it’s with friends, colleagues, or loved ones.

Having conversations about race is uncomfortable. But for progress between individuals (and our communities) to happen, we need to be able to speak openly and honestly. Podcast hosts of The Kinswomen Yseult and Hannah use their own friendship and experiences from different racial backgrounds to offer guidance on navigating these layered conversations.

In Real Friends Talk About Race, the duo share their two perspectives on the ways in which culture, history, and white supremacy have prevented us from having the skills to build trust and healthy relationships across race. Yseult and Hannah approach these topics with love and candor—calling readers in (not out) to confront hard realities and their own internalized biases, while also sharing prescriptive advice, encouragement, and a sense of community.

Real Friends Talk About Race is a must-read for anyone looking to listen, learn, and feel empowered to have meaningful conversations about race.

Yseult Polfliet Mukantabana is Rwandan, Jewish and Queer. She is a fashion designer and art/social advocate. She sits on the board of POWarts and is an expert research fellow at the Tel Aviv Institute. Hannah and Yseult met at an event about race three years ago, and decided to bring the dialogue to a wider audience by launching their podcast, "Kinswomen." Yseult is based in New York City.


Hannah Summerhill is a white woman from Pennsylvania who has had a long career in magazines, at places like Vogue and Cosmo. Hannah and Yseult met at an event about race three years ago, and decided to bring the dialogue to a wider audience by launching their podcast, "Kinswomen." Hannah is based in California.