Mixin' It Up - Mixed Identity in Superheroes: The Genius in our In-Betweenness
Sat 4/25 • 11AM PDT
Geeky Teas & Games • Burbank
Mixed Identity in Superheroes: The Genius in Our In-Betweenness
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**Saturday, April 25, 2026** | 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
**Geeky Teas & Games** | [900 W. Alameda Ave., Burbank, Calif. 91506](https://maps.app.goo.gl/TwXtQ4nGW4Kqqjtk8)
_Our authentic stories are the source of our superpowers._
Join [UCLA Alumni Diversity Programs & Initiatives](https://alumni.ucla.edu/diversity-programs-and-initiatives/) and the [UCLA Mixed Alumni Association](https://alumni.ucla.edu/alumni-networks/mixed-alumni-association/) at [Geeky Teas & Games](https://www.geekyteas.com/) in Burbank for an interactive program led by clinical psychologist and entertainment industry advisor [Drea Letamendi, Ph.D.](https://drdreapsychology.com/)
Through the lens of comic books, fandoms and the lived experiences of people with mixed identities, this event explores the heroic power of authentic storytelling — and what it means to thrive in the in-between.
Through guided conversation and reflection, attendees will:
* Learn how mixed identities are represented in entertainment media.
* Connect with fellow Bruins through shared storytelling.
* Reflect on your own identities and the mixed experience.
* Gain practical strategies for resilience.
* Discover Geeky Teas & Games and tabletop gaming.
* Explore ways to get involved with the UCLA Mixed Alumni Association.
Come ready to geek out in a unique gaming space, share your story and meet new friends over light refreshments — then get inspired to step into the future with main character energy.
_Light refreshments provided._
About the Speaker
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**Drea Letamendi, Ph.D.** (she/her/ella) is a clinical psychologist, entertainment industry advisor and two-time TEDx speaker. A Cornell University graduate, she earned her Ph.D. from UC San Diego and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA's Department of Psychology.
Dr. Letamendi has spent nearly a decade serving UCLA as a campus mental health leader, including three years as interim director of the UCLA Resilience In Your Student Experience Center (RISE) and eight years as associate director of Mental Health Training, Intervention, and Response in Residential Life. She currently serves as the inaugural director of UCLA CAPS Compassionate Response ([CORE)](https://bewellbruin.ucla.edu/resource/core-caps-mobile-compassionate-response) — UCLA's first mobile crisis response program deploying unarmed responders to support Bruins in crisis across campus.
Beyond UCLA, she maintains a private practice as a behavioral science advisor for the gaming, tech and entertainment industries, with clients including Riot Games, Warner Bros., Marvel and Disney. Her work on the positive impacts of media on mental health has been covered by _The Atlantic_, _The Washington Post_ and the _Los Angeles Times_.
She is also the creator and co-host of [**The Arkham Sessions**](https://drdreapsychology.com/thearkhamsessionspodcast), a podcast exploring the psychology of superheroes. A mixed-race Latina and proud first-generation college graduate, Dr. Letamendi brings both professional expertise and personal lived experience to everything she does.
About the Venue
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**Geeky Teas & Games** is Burbank's one-of-a-kind destination for tabletop gaming, loose-leaf teas and community. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or just curious, their welcoming space is the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of connection and conversation. After the program, stick around to explore the venue and discover your new favorite game.