Transracial Journeys Blog

Book Corner – July 2025

Surviving the White Gaze: A Memoir  by Rebecca Carroll Adult Transracial adoptee Becky had an idyllic early childhood in a loving family. Living in a rural community, she was the only person of color in her town, and as she grew older, Becky felt isolated and confused. Life became even more difficult when she met Tess, her white birth mother, at age 16. Tess refused to talk about Becky’s Black father and undermined Becky’s identity and self-esteem. Becky’s journey to read more

Together on the Journey: Freedom, Truth & the Power of Connection

TRJ Family Camp 2025 Newsletter Feature from April Dinwoodie and the TRJ Board of Directors Every July, the calendar turns our attention to freedom. Fireworks, flags, and family cookouts remind us of independence—but for those of us connected to adoption, freedom carries a deeper, more complex meaning. At TRJ, we know that freedom doesn’t begin with independence alone. It begins with truth—and the courage to name it. It requires access to origins, permission to grieve, and space to explore identity read more

Black Excellence: Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass stands as an undeniable pillar of Black excellence, his life an unwavering testament to the power of self-liberation, intellect, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Born into the brutal dehumanization of slavery in Talbot County, Maryland, around 1818, Douglass's journey from bondage to becoming one of the most influential abolitionists and human rights advocates in American history is a profound narrative of resilience and triumph. Douglass's early life under slavery exposed him to its inherent cruelties, but also read more

July – Expanding: Exploring Our Unique Identities

As we all learn more about our history and what freedom really means, July 4th gives us much to contemplate. Who is really free and when? Freedom related to adoption and exploring the truth of who we are as individuals and families is foundational and important. Read more about why Frederick Douglass and his speech "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" in this month's Black Excellence post. And learn how our 2025 Family Camp celebrates culture and read more

Book Corner – June 2025

Baby's First Words by Stella Blackstone & Sunny Scribens illustrated by Christiane Engel Board Book Dad and baby have a great day together in this colorful board book. When a baby’s other dad comes home, it’s time for a bubble bath and a cozy tuck-in. Young children will enjoy learning new words as they spend the day with this happy family. Related Articles About the Roles of Mothers and Fathers Mother’s Day: Family Titles, Roles, and Relationships June Father’s Day: read more

Black Excellence: Albert Ely Edwards

In the tapestry of Black excellence, certain threads shine with particular brilliance, woven from dedication, foresight, and an unwavering commitment to community. Albert Ely Edwards stands as one of these luminous figures, a man whose life was a testament to the power of public service, whose legacy continues to resonate deeply within the communities he served and the family he nurtured, and whose tireless efforts earned him the revered title of the "Father of Juneteenth." Born in the post-Reconstruction era, read more

Celebrating the Many Hands and Hearts That Hold Us: Part Two — Honoring Fatherhood in Its Many Forms

By April Dinwoodie This spring, we're offering a two-part series: Celebrating the Many Hands and Hearts That Hold Us — an exploration of what it means to honor family expansively through the lens of adoption. As an adopted person — and someone in deep community with others who share this experience — I know firsthand that Father’s Day can be powerful, complicated, and deeply emotional. (read Part One about Mother's Day) Some years, it filled me with gratitude. Other years, read more

June Father’s Day: Family Titles, Roles, and Relationships

Officially celebrating Father’s Day came a bit later than Mother’s Day and there are many of the same things to think about and reflect on as we come to this day that is all about acknowledging the fathers and father figures in our lives. In adoption father’s of origin or birth/first fathers are often thought of after mothers. Sometimes there can be even less information about fathers and it can be harder to open up a conversation about the role read more

Black Excellence: Habeebah Rasheed Grimes

Habeebah Rasheed Grimes stands as a powerful embodiment of Black excellence, dedicating her life's work to uplifting and healing vulnerable children, particularly within the Northeast Ohio community. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Positive Education Program (PEP), Grimes leads a dedicated staff of nearly 400 professionals committed to providing culturally affirming and trauma-informed care to young people who have experienced significant adversity and mental health challenges. Her journey is marked by a deep understanding of the impact of trauma, read more

Celebrating the Many Hands and Hearts That Hold Us: Part One – Honoring Motherhood in its Many Forms

By April Dinwoodie This spring, we're offering a two-part series:Celebrating the Many Hands and Hearts That Hold Us — an exploration of what it means to honor family expansively through the lens of adoption. As an adopted person — and someone in deep community with others who share this experience — I know firsthand that Mother’s Day and Father’s Day can be powerful, complicated, and deeply emotional. Some years, Mother’s Day filled me with joy and gratitude. Other years, there read more

Mother’s Day: Family Titles, Roles, and Relationships

As a country we have been celebrating Mother’s Day since the 19th century, honoring women who play a pivotal role in the lives of children of any age. For some, Mother’s Day can bring feelings of both celebration and complexity. In adoption, mothers of origin or birth/first mothers play a vital role in the lives of children they are born to and separated from. It’s important that you have open and loving conversations about different ways mothers and mother figures read more

Book Corner – May 2025

Chester Keene Cracks the Code by Kekla Magoon Grades 3-7 Chester Keene’s mom is always worrying about him, so Chester tries his best to hide bad things from her. When a bully gives him a black eye, Chester tells his mom he ran into something. Chester really needs someone to talk to. His father left when Chester was a baby, but presents arrive every birthday and Christmas. When Chester finds an email address in one of the packages, he is read more

Book Corner – April 2025, Becoming Vanessa

Becoming Vanessa by Vanessa Brantley-Newton Ages 3-6 During a month that we focus on the significance of names for transracial adoptees, Becoming Vanessa, by Vanessa Brantley-Newton feels like a relevant recommendation. Vanessa wants to feel special on her first day of school, but everything goes wrong. The outfit she picked is too fancy, and her name has too many letters. She shares her sad feelings with her parents, who help her discover how special her name is – and how read more

April Exploring: What’s in a Name?

Our names are central and significant to who you are and, in essence, can be the keystone of identity. When your child is adopted, there’s another world, another narrative, and perhaps another name that accompanies them along their identity journey. The way in which we build a strong and healthy identity often begins with our names as one of our central and original “keystone” building blocks. June-in-April Calendar Conversation Cards TRJ invites your family to experience the calendar in a read more

Black Excellence – Jared Donahue Robinson

Jared Donahue Robinson, the visionary behind JDRobinsonCultureAnd.co, is a dynamic force driving cultural preservation and community empowerment through the lens of Black history and heritage. His work transcends mere historical documentation, evolving into a vibrant platform for education, celebration, and transformative dialogue. Robinson's dedication to reclaiming and amplifying Black narratives solidifies his place as a beacon of Black excellence. Robinson's approach is rooted in the belief that understanding the past is crucial for shaping a prosperous future. He meticulously curates read more

Expanding Identity Through Names

By April Dinwoodie Names carry weight. They are an introduction, an inheritance, a declaration of who we are—and sometimes, who others hope we’ll become. How Our Understanding of Names in Adoption Has Grown For those of us connected to adoption, names often sit at the intersection of identity, relationship, and lived experience. And like so much else in adoption, the way we think about names has changed over time. In the 1970s, during the height of the closed adoption era, read more

Reclaiming Our Family Narrative: Setting Boundaries & Building Belonging

By April Dinwoodie Transracial adoptive families represent diversity in a world that is constantly observing—even while professing, it doesn't “see color.” This reality makes it imperative that transracially adopted children are protected from the micro and macro aggressions they face by parents setting intentional, empowering boundaries. As a parent navigating the winding roads of adoption and identity, I've learned that fostering belonging begins with establishing clear, non-negotiable limits on what we accept from others. Defining Our Space in a Noisy read more

Black Excellence – Rachel Briggs

For those that have been at TRJ camp these last couple of years, our example of Black Excellence for this month is a familiar face that brings so much spirit to our time together. Rachel Briggs of Dream Through STEAM RI embodies Black excellence, passionately advocating for STEAM education, especially for underrepresented youth. Her work transforms lives, bridging opportunity gaps and fostering innovation. Dream Through STEAM RI, under Briggs's leadership, creates pathways for young minds to engage with STEAM through read more

Book Corner – March 2025

Blended by Sharon Draper Grades 4-7 Told from the perspective of an 11 year old, whose parents are divorced, Izzy / Isabella relays her experiences being shuttled between both parents’ homes (she can’t call either house her home). Her mother is white and her father is Black and not much is ever said to her about being two different races until a racist event (targeted at her close friend) happens at school. Suddenly, Izzy is forced to “check the box” read more

Preparing: Adoption Microaggressions… Lucky Me? 

Being Prepared as a Transracial Family Have you had strangers ask inappropriate questions of you and your family? “Is she/he/them yours?” “Where are they from?”  “Your child is SO lucky”. These invasive questions are part of being a family that does not match and where differences of race are obvious to the world around you. It is important to be prepared for these intrusions. March Pro-Tip to Foster Conversations About Transracial Adoptions At TRJ we send our families conversation cues read more

Book Corner – February 2025

All Ways Black Cree Myles, Curator of All Ways Black Instead of one book and author this month, we’re sharing a robust resource from Penguin Random House.  All Ways Black is a year-round celebration of Black authors and stories, a place to honor the depth and breadth of experiences around what it means to be Black. This is a community dedicated to Black literature – reading, sharing, living, and loving it. All Ways Black aims to help you discover incredible read more

Black Excellence – Habeebah Rasheed Grimes

Habeebah Rasheed Grimes, a mental health advocate and CEO of Positive Education Program (PEP), whose work centers on supporting children impacted by trauma, systemic racism, and educational inequities. As a passionate leader in the mental health field, Habeebah uplifts the importance of culturally responsive and trauma-informed care, ensuring that Black and Brown children receive the support they need to thrive. Her unwavering commitment to justice, healing, and empowerment reflects the spirit of TRJ and the values we hold dear.  We read more

2025 Family Camp Theme Announcement:

A Message from the TRJ Board of Directors and Executive Director At the intersection of Black History Month and a month when we celebrate love, we are reminded of the power of community, resilience, and the bonds that sustain us on our journeys. This year, those values feel more urgent than ever and why we are thrilled to announce our 2025 camp theme: Together on the Journey: Community, Empowerment, & Joy.  These words embody the heart of our mission—bringing transracially read more

February. Transforming: Bring a Higher Love

At the intersection of St. Valentine’s Day and Black History Month, this short month brings so many foundational elements of identity, relationships, and differences for families to explore. Love is a vital ingredient for all families but adoption and difference of race make it imperative the love moves beyond the transactional and into the transformational. February Pro-Tip to Foster Conversations About Transracial Adoptions Transracial Journeys invites your family to experience the calendar in a whole new way. With the help read more

January: Honoring Family Connections Through the Calendar

By April Dinwoodie I couldn’t sleep. Something was nagging at me. Yes, there were work deadlines looming and the mundane tasks of life left undone. But this was different—a heavier weight, a quiet ache pressing on my spirit that I couldn't quite name. I lay awake, restless, cataloging every possible reason for my sadness. No upcoming anniversaries or events came to mind, nothing obvious to explain this depth of melancholy. Eventually, exhausted, I drifted off in the early hours, only read more

Black Excellence – Alec Ingold

By K. Bean Alec Ingold stands as a shining example of Black excellence, both on and off the football field. As an NFL fullback for the Miami Dolphins, Ingold exemplifies dedication, athleticism, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. His powerful blocking and contributions to the Dolphins' offense have solidified his place as a respected player in the league. However, Ingold's impact extends far beyond the gridiron. Deeply rooted in his own experience as a transracially adopted child, he recognizes the read more

Book Corner – January 2025

Somewhere Sisters: a Story of Adoption, Identity, and the Meaning of Family by Erika Hayasaki Ages: Adult Vietnamese twins Loan and Ha were separated when they were babies.  Ha was raised by her aunt in a loving home in rural Vietnam.  Loan was adopted, renamed Isabella, and grew up in a loving home in a Chicago suburb.  Isabella’s American family weren’t told their daughter was a twin, and when they found out, Isabella’s mom started to search for Ha.  After read more

January Embracing: Live with Authenticity, Purpose and Joy

January is a time when folks traditionally take stock of where they are and may even make some resolutions for a new diet, more time exercising, or commitments to spending quality time with family and friends. For families that extend through transracial adoption, January can offer a time to think about the year ahead and together as a family, continue the expansive journey of authentically navigating family and differences together with purpose and joy. Related article for parents' reflection: January: Honoring read more

Making and Breaking Traditions:

As the year draws to a close, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the traditions we hold dear and consider how we shape new ones to honor the diversity within our families. This month, we are thrilled to share our 2024-2025 Bibliography for the Giving Season and All Year Long, a curated collection of books that celebrate stories of identity, culture, and connection. This guide is a testament to the power of books in fostering understanding, self-discovery, and belonging for read more

Kimble Bells: A Celebration of Generosity

A big thank you to Board Chair Kurt Harvey for his passion and persistence in securing TRJ as the 2025  Kimble Bells Charity and Networking Event honoree. Held in Detroit, the event brought together local business leaders for a night of connection and giving. Thanks to the incredible generosity of attendees and a donation match from Freshbank Partners (co-founded by Kurt and his business partner Therese), an astonishing $19,722  was raised.  End-of-Year Giving: Help Us Continue the Journey As we read more

Black Excellence – Jon Batiste

By K. Bean Jon Batiste has been a trailblazer in the music industry, both honoring traditions and breaking new ground. Hailing from the vibrant city of New Orleans, Batiste's music is a fusion of jazz, R&B, funk, and soul, creating a sound that is both timeless and contemporary. Batiste's ability to seamlessly blend genres and incorporate elements of classical music into his compositions demonstrates his versatility and deep understanding of musical theory. His live performances are electrifying, often featuring spontaneous read more

December – Reflections: Evolving Traditions 

The December holidays give us an opportunity to think about traditions tied to different cultures and religions. Regardless of what you and your family honor and celebrate, we can be inspired to take a closer look at what traditions mean to us and how we can expand our thinking and actions. Read this month's reflection and link to book gift giving guide as well as previous December posts from over the years to help guide you and your family through read more

The Quest for Belonging:

By April Dinwoodie, TRJ Part-time Executive Director, Speaker, Trainer   As a Black/Bi-racial transracially adopted person, I am mustering up the strength and centeredness to stay present, stay focused and not let the realities of our country stop me from protecting my community.  I invite you to do the same and see this as a time where we lean even harder into doing the work to protect children that are entrusted to you through adoption.   As we enter this holiday season, read more

November Nourishment: Sustaining Strong and Healthy Families

Thanksgiving can be one of the more complicated historical holidays, and for many in the United States, one of the more family and food-centric holidays. Whether you are a family that chooses not to mark Thanksgiving in a traditional way, or your family goes all out with a big Thanksgiving celebration, this month we are thinking about the family table and what might be true when there are differences of race and culture with transracial adoption. November also brings National read more

Black Excellence – Rachel Noerdlinger

By Bear Howe, TRJ Parent Rachel Noerdlinger was born in 1970 in New Mexico, and adopted by white parents as a baby. Noerdlinger has made significant contributions in public relations and social justice. Known for her tenacity and expertise, she served as the Chief of Staff for New York City’s First Lady, Chirlane McCray, where she advocated for social programs and community empowerment. Noerdlinger also played a key role in organizing national events, including the public communications for George Floyd’s read more

National Adoption Awareness Month (NAAM): Embracing a Broader Narrative

By April Dinwoodie, TRJ Part-time Executive Director, Speaker, Trainer   National Adoption Month (NAM) was officially launched by the U.S. federal government in 1995 under the Clinton Administration, with its roots going back to 1976, when Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis first established an adoption awareness week. The original goal was to promote adoption as a pathway to provide permanent homes for children in foster care, focusing on the need for adoptive families and support within the child welfare system. In recent read more

Costumes and Code-Switching: The Hidden Layers of Transracial Adoption

By April Dinwoodie, TRJ Part-time Executive Director, Speaker, Trainer   It’s October and many children begin dreaming up costumes, reveling in the chance to put on a mask and become someone else for a night.  For many Black and Brown children in transracial adoptions, wearing a "costume" often extends far beyond October 31st. Transracially adopted children may feel the need to mask aspects of their identity and emotions daily as they navigate a world where they may feel out of place—even read more

Revealing: What’s Under The Mask

Whether you participate in Halloween or not, October 31st has many children and the young at heart dressing up in costumes and wearing masks. Today, the pandemic has given many of us cause to wear masks to protect ourselves from the COVID-19. But what is behind the masks you don’t see? What do they reveal? Read how masks and mental health can have unique significance in our community in our article "Masks, Masking, and Mental Health." Fostering Conversations About Transracial read more

Black Excellence: Gina Prince-Bythewood

By Becca Howe, TRJ Parent Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Gina Prince-Bythewood was a creative kid, was always writing short stories and in high school decided she really wanted to write for tv and become a director. She went on to graduate from UCLA Film School, and started as a tv writer right after graduation. She has since become a prominent filmmaker, writer, and director of films like “Love & Basketball,” “The Secret Life of Bees,” and read more

Black Excellence: Keegan-Michael Key

By Becca Howe, TRJ Parent Image attributed to Gage Skidmore, via Wikimedia Commons Keegan-Michael Key is an actor, comedian, writer and producer, known for his sharp social satire and innovative sketches in shows like Key & Peele, which he co-created and starred in with Jordan Peele, and Schmigadoon, as well as his work in television, film and on Broadway. Key was born in Detroit, Michigan, to parents Carrie Herr and Leroy McDuffie. He was adopted at a young age by read more

September: Navigating Life with Clarity and Confidence

In September we focus on navigating to move through life with clarity and confidence as it can relate to our family's relationship to the calendar.  As we make our way through the year there are so many ways we can use the calendar to lean into conversations about the uniqueness of our families. Being thoughtful about how our families have to navigate the world differently and talking openly about what we might face can help ease the impact.  The calendar read more

Walking Beside Our Children With Clarity and Confidence – (Part 2)

By Bear Howe PART 2 This is part 2 of a two-part article written for the September issue of Transracial Journeys newsletter. Click here for Part 1: Walking Beside Our Children With Clarity and Confidence (Part 1) (Part 1 explores the topics of personal work, allyship and parenting inside the home.) Parenting Outside The Home If we are the upholders of our children’s dignity, then we need to get really clear about the forces at play in society, in our communities, read more

Walking Beside Our Children With Clarity and Confidence – (Part 1)

By Bear Howe When I set out to write this piece, I thought I’d share some jumping off points that have helped me become a more confident transracially adoptive parent. But it grew to include quite a few pieces, so we have decided it’s best broken into two parts. Here you’ll find part 1, and you can jump over to our blog to find part 2. Thanks for being here, putting in the time and energy our kids need from read more

Black Excellence: Colin Kaepernick

By Becca Howe, TRJ Parent On August 26, 2016, NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick took his first knee during the national anthem at an NFL preseason game. This action was part of his protest against racial inequality and police brutality in the Unites States. His actions made the whole country pay attention, and helped ignite the national debates around Black Lives Matter and what role athletes can play in social activism, as well as the meaning of patriotic gestures during sports read more

August – Growing: Always Learning

Back to school is a time of transition for children and families. It’s a time to be thoughtful about what children need when they go into schools every day. A great way to prepare children from families that don’t match is by having intentional conversations about differences of race and ethnicity as well as family structure and culture. Read "Back-to-School," this month's reflection by K. Bean, for more on intentional conversations about adoption and race during this time of year.

Book Corner – August 2024

Reviewed by Bear Howe, TRJ white adoptive parent The Connected Parent by Karyn Purvis, Lisa Qualls and Emmelie Pickett Adult Nonfiction The Connected parent offers a framework for parenting called Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). TBRI is an attachment-based and trauma-informed approach designed to support the complex needs of children with histories of trauma. This framework focuses on three core principles: empowerment, connection and correction, and first asks parents do their own inner work of healing and introspective processing in order read more

Back-to-School

By K. Bean Back-to-school season is an exciting and transformative time, not just for our children but for us as parents as well. While our children gear up for new academic adventures, we as parents can seize this opportunity to reignite our own commitment to learning and growth. Embracing a mindset of curiosity and dedication to continuous learning is essential for fostering an inclusive, supportive, and understanding family environment. Continuing to learn about the impact of racism and bias will read more

Book Corner – July 2024

By Becca Howe, TRJ Parent Book Corner – Brooke Randolph: It’s Not About You Understanding Adoptee Search, Reunion, & Open Adoption It’s Not About You: Understanding Adoptee Search, Reunion, & Open Adoption is a book written for adoptive and birth parents and their therapists. After repetitive conversations with adopted persons (and sometimes their parents) about reactions to their search and reunion, Brooke knew adoptive and parents of origin needed a book on the topic.   Brooke is a therapist, author, speaker, trainer and read more

Black Excellence – Isaac Etter

By Becca Howe, TRJ Parent This month we are combining our Black Excellence and Book Corner featuring Isaac Etter.  Isaac is a transracially adopted person and a social entrepreneur who founded Identity, a startup focused on helping adoptive and foster families thrive. At Identity, Isaac is working on re-imagining post-placement support for adoptive and foster families. He uses his story and deep passion for adoption and foster care education to bring relevant, quality, and diverse resources to adoptive and foster read more

Freedom

By K. Bean As we delve deeper into our history and the true essence of freedom, July 4th becomes a day of profound reflection. It invites us to consider the complexities of freedom and to question who is genuinely free and under what circumstances. This exploration is particularly relevant in the context of transracial adoption, where understanding our identities and truths as individuals and families becomes paramount. The concept of freedom, as celebrated on Independence Day, is multifaceted. It encompasses read more