Jan Mauras was born in Tulsa, OK, in 1943 and grew up in a community with few people of color. Her world changed when she became a Baha'i in 1972 – an experience that introduced her to people from various backgrounds and gave her a way to be more engaged in social issues. Jan has lived in Harlem, New York City, for several decades; she is active in race unity activities in New York, where she also serves at the New York City Baha'i Center.