Rahul Yates: Inspiring the Next Era of Mixed-Race Voices

In a world that often asks young people to choose one box, one label, or one culture to define themselves, Rahul Yates has chosen something far more powerful—embracing all of who he is. A rising junior at Brentwood School in Los Angeles, Rahul is the proud son of an Asian Indian mother and a white father. His multiracial identity is not just a part of his background; it is the foundation of his mission to create safe spaces, inspire dialogue, and empower other mixed-race teens to discover their own voices.

Rahul Yates: Growing Up Between Cultures

Rahul’s childhood was full of vibrant contrasts—bright Indian festivals, traditional dance, and cultural rituals on one hand, alongside the experiences of growing up in a majority-white neighborhood on the other. Yet, like many multiracial kids, he often wrestled with the feeling of not being “enough” for either group. Was he Indian enough to belong fully to his cousins’ world? Was he white enough to blend in with peers at school?

For years, those questions haunted him. People often assumed he was Latino, Middle Eastern, or something else entirely—what he describes as “racially ambiguous.” But instead of letting others’ assumptions define him, Rahul began asking deeper questions about his heritage, his worth, and his role in shaping conversations around race and identity.

Founding HumSub GlobalTEEN

In early 2020, driven by his own journey and a lack of visible representation for mixed-race teens, Rahul founded HumSub GlobalTEEN. The platform became a digital community for young people navigating multicultural and multiracial lives. Its mission was simple but profound: create a safe space where teens could share their experiences, explore identity, and know they weren’t alone.

The project quickly resonated. Through articles, podcasts, and dialogue circles, Rahul empowered others to see their multiracial identity not as a limitation but as a strength—a bridge between cultures, communities, and generations.

Rahul Yates: Leadership at Brentwood School

Inside Brentwood’s walls, Rahul’s leadership shone even brighter. He became Co-President of both the Indian Subcontinent Student Alliance and the Multiracial Student Alliance, two affinity groups dedicated to inclusion, dialogue, and reflection. His ability to stand in both spaces authentically showed his peers the richness of embracing multiple worlds.

Rahul’s influence extended beyond his school. Selected to attend the prestigious Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) in December 2020, he represented Brentwood among the brightest student leaders in the country, sharing his perspective on identity and advocating for belonging.

Building Community Beyond School

Rahul’s work didn’t stop on campus. He began interning with the Multiracial Americans of Southern California (MASC), where he developed youth-focused discussions exploring multiracial identity and its intersections with society. He also joined panels hosted by the Asia Society, speaking passionately about colorism, the complexity of being South Asian and multiracial, and why he founded HumSub GlobalTEEN.

In 2021, Rahul’s growing voice reached national platforms when he was featured in the Mixed Asian Media Festival as a panelist for The Mixed Space. He also launched and hosted the podcast “Mixed by Gen Z,” amplifying the voices of diverse youth and creating conversations that celebrated difference rather than hiding it.

Redefining Identity as a Superpower

For Rahul, the turning point came when he realized that being “a little bit of both” wasn’t a weakness—it was a superpower. Instead of feeling split between cultures, he learned to see himself as belonging to many. His perspective allows him to connect with multiple groups, understand diverse experiences, and build bridges where others might see divides.

“I can be 100% of both,” Rahul says. “That’s actually something really special that so few people can do.”

This reframing transformed his journey. What once felt like an awkward middle ground became solid ground—his ground. And now, he encourages other young people to claim the same confidence.

Advice for Teens Navigating Multiracial Identity

As part of California Report Magazine’s Mixed: Stories of Mixed-Race Californians, Rahul shared advice for parents and young people:

1. Talk about race at home. Normalize conversations around identity. Teens benefit from understanding how their parents think about race and belonging.

2. Build community. The multiracial journey can feel isolating. Finding others with similar experiences—through groups like HumSub GlobalTEEN—reminds teens they are not alone.

3. Reframe your perspective. Stop thinking in terms of “not enough” and start embracing the fact that being mixed means you belong to multiple worlds.

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