African American & Latino American Youth are disproportionately represented in the Child Welfare System (Child Welfare League). For foster and adopted teens, the struggle for cultural identity and acceptance can be a daunting task. Strong influences such as mass media & peers can provide stereotypical depictions that youth may feel they must live up to. This workshop offers strategies on how social workers and caregivers can help youth learn about the totality of their birth culture that goes beyond stereotypes and media sound bites with the goal of developing a healthy cultural identity.