We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. KayLa N. Allen-Young and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. KayLa N., how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for Dear Mixed Girl® came from two powerful threads in my life—first, my lived experiences growing up as a mixed-heritage girl in Houston, and second, my academic journey focused on identity, leadership, and creating support systems that truly work for families.

I spent my early childhood in Acres Homes, and from 4th through 12th grade, I lived off Homestead Road in the Aldine ISD area on Houston’s Northside. Those years taught me what it feels like to be judged for one side or another, and to have only a limited space to be my full self. I did not grow up with my father or my paternal family, but through family friends, I was immersed in Mexican culture—through language, food, and music. Even with that influence, I didn’t feel free to dig into the deeper truth of my heritage until adulthood. That late discovery has shaped how I view belonging and how I help others embrace their whole story.

Alongside that personal journey, my academic path gave me the tools to transform lived experience into purposeful impact. I earned a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in the sciences and a minor in Psychology, a Master of Public Health focused on women in leadership and resilience, a Post-Master’s certificate in Epidemiology, and ultimately a Doctorate in Health Administration. For my dissertation, I worked hands-on with healthcare leaders to explore how they could better use the resources already available—support groups, courses, and educational tools—to equip families in caregiving positions for their loved ones facing cancer. That research confirmed for me that leadership isn’t just about policy or authority—it’s about ensuring families have the right support when they need it most. In many ways, that same truth carries over into Dear Mixed Girl®: families raising mixed girls also need access to the right tools, encouragement, and community to navigate identity with strength and confidence.

In 2019, I brought together not only my doctoral research but my entire academic journey with my own lived story of cultural identity and belonging to create Dear Mixed Girl®. What began as heartfelt letters to my younger self—#DearMixedGirlLetters—grew into a movement: a coaching and speaking platform that equips mixed girls, their families, and the leaders who serve them with tools for identity development, belonging, and cultural proficiency. Grounded in positive psychology, CBT, and my faith-filled purpose, Dear Mixed Girl® exists so no mixed girl (or her parental figures) has to feel like she’s figuring it out alone. Similarly, no leader in a children-centered space, business, or organization has to feel bound to a system that hasn’t completely embraced diversity or nor do they have to feel alone in seeking a sustainable path toward cultural proficiency. It’s a space where her story is honored, her growth is supported, and her whole self is celebrated.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Dear Mixed Girl® is a coaching, workshop, personalized letter writing, and speaking platform dedicated to mixed girls ages 12–18, their parental figures, and the leaders who serve them. What sets us apart is that our work doesn’t stop at surface-level conversations about diversity—we dig into identity development, belonging, cultural proficiency, and family support systems in a way that is both research-driven and heart-centered. Every program I lead is grounded in evidence and research-based practices to include positive psychology, cognitive behavioral theory, and evidence-based coaching practices, but delivered with empathy, lived experience, and faith-filled purpose.

I’m most proud that Dear Mixed Girl® has grown from something deeply personal—letters I first wrote to my younger self—into a movement that has touched families, schools, and even national leaders, including a personal acknowledgment from Former Vice President Kamala Harris. What excites me is watching a girl recognize her own worth, or seeing a parent walk away from one of my workshops with real tools to better support their daughter. Those are the moments when I know this work is making a difference.

Getting here wasn’t easy. Building a business rooted in identity and culture means walking into spaces where not everyone is ready for the conversation. There were times I questioned if the world was prepared to receive this message. Nonetheless, I leaned into my faith, my education, and the reminder that even if one girl or one family found hope, it was worth it. Over time, I learned to trust the process, to lead with authenticity, and to measure success not only in numbers but in lives touched.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that purpose takes perseverance. You can’t shortcut the process of building trust, credibility, and impact—you have to show up consistently, even when doors close, because the right doors will eventually open.

What I want the world to know about me and about Dear Mixed Girl® is this: our work is not about fixing anyone. It’s about helping girls and families recognize their inherent worth, equipping them with tools to navigate identity with confidence, and creating spaces where every layer of who they are is celebrated. Dear Mixed Girl® was born out of my story, shaped by my education, and fueled by my faith—but it belongs to every girl and every family ready to rise in the fullness of who they are.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to Houston for a week, I’d want them to experience the city the way I love it—through food, culture, history, and those special spots that make Houston shine.

Day 1 – Welcome to Houston: We’d start with dinner at Carrabba’s on Kirby, a Houston classic with so much heart, and then take an evening walk through Rice Village to grab dessert at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream.

Day 2 – History & Culture: We’d spend the morning in the Museum District, then make a stop at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum to honor the legacy of African American soldiers. Dinner would be at Xalisco Cocina Mexicana, where the flavors echo the community and culture that shaped me growing up.

Day 3 – Houston’s Voices: Lunch at Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant to highlight Houston’s international diversity, followed by a visit to The African American Library at the Gregory School, a powerful space preserving the history and stories of African American life in Houston. In the evening, we’d catch a show at The Ensemble Theatre, one of the nation’s oldest and largest African American theaters.

Day 4 – Hidden Houston: We’d explore the city’s underground side with the Astroville Tunnel Tour, then grab treats at Wisdom Vegan Bakery. Dinner would be at Dimassi’s Mediterranean Buffet, because sharing plates over abundant food is very Houston.

Day 5 – Space & the Sea: No Houston trip is complete without the NASA Space Center. Afterward, we’d head down to Kemah Boardwalk for rides, seafood, and the Gulf breeze.

Day 6 – Parks & Festivals: Depending on the season, we’d either enjoy one of Houston’s many cultural festivals or visit the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern for something unique. Dinner at Ginger Mule, then winding down the evening with good conversation.

Day 7 – The Big Sendoff: For the last day, lunch at Houstatlantavegan—a Black-owned gem where food and creativity meet—and, if it’s the holiday season, we’d take a short drive to The Christmas Village in Huntsville, Texas for lights, music, and magic. Otherwise, we’d keep it cozy and end with gratitude for a week well spent.

What I love about Houston is that it’s not just one thing—it’s a mix of flavors, histories, and cultures, all existing side by side. That’s why my itinerary would be about balance: places that feed your soul, fill your belly, and remind you why Houston is one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the world.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I have to give thanks to God. Every step of my journey has been guided by His grace and purpose, and I know that the vision for Dear Mixed Girl® is much bigger than me. I also recognize my mother, who raised me with resilience and unconditional love, and the family friends who surrounded me with Mexican culture—even when I didn’t yet have the freedom to explore my heritage fully. Their influence gave me a foundation of strength and pride that I still carry with me.

However, my shoutout doesn’t stop with my own family. I want to dedicate it to every mixed girl and every parent who has shared their story with me along the way. Their courage, honesty, and vulnerability have not only shaped the work I do, but also remind me daily why this mission matters. In many ways, they are co-authors of this journey, because Dear Mixed Girl® is as much about their voices as it is about my own. Without their trust, truth, and willingness to grow, there would be no movement—just an idea. So this shoutout belongs to them too.

Website: https://dearmixedgirl.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkaylanallen/

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Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@drkaylanallen

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