Black Excellence

Black Excellence – Rachel Noerdlinger

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 funeral, demonstrating her commitment to civil rights and social justice. She later became a partner at Mercury Public Affairs, marking her as the firm’s first Black woman partner—a groundbreaking achievement that speaks to her influence and leadership in the industry.

Noerdlinger speaks openly about how being a transracial adoptee has shaped her views on identity and belonging. She has spoken candidly about the nuances of transracial adoption, which has been a source of insight into the complexities of race and family. Her openness on this topic has been inspiring to many who face similar experiences, offering perspectives on self-acceptance and resilience. Noerdlinger has advocated for understanding and empathy, urging others to look beyond stereotypes and foster real conversations around race and inclusion.

Noerdlinger’s voice has been a guiding one for social justice and advocacy. She has expressed the importance of diversity, urging organizations to genuinely listen to communities rather than respond only in times of crisis. Her fearless approach to addressing tough issues and her drive for inclusivity have made her a respected figure. Her career reflects a commitment to making a positive impact, using her platform to challenge systemic inequities and advocate for underrepresented communities.

Noerdlinger’s latest venture is becoming partner at Actum, LLC, a leading communications and strategy firm that works with individuals, politicians, companies and organizations with advocacy mobilization, government relations, storytelling and narrative development and much more.

Learn more:

April Dinwoodie’s interview with Rachel Noerdlinger in 2018

PR and Media Activist Rachel Noerdlinger Stands on the Frontlines of Social Justice

Rachel Noerdlinger Makes History as the First Black Woman to be Named Partner at Mercury

Photo credits to: Rachel Noerdlinger

Black Excellence: Gina Prince-Bythewood

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 “The Woman King,” and a committed activist.

Prince-Bythewood was born on June 10, 1969, in Los Angeles, California, and was adopted by a white family when she was three weeks old. Her adoptive parents raised her in the predominantly white neighborhood of Pacific Grove, California. Growing up as a Black girl in this environment deeply influenced her perspective on race and identity, themes that she explores in her films. In various interviews, Prince-Bythewood has spoken about the challenges she faced as a transracial adoptee, including issues of belonging and understanding her identity.

Her experiences with race and adoption helped shape her storytelling approach, which often includes themes of identity, love, and the complexities of the Black experience. Her work captures her sensitivity to personal and cultural struggles, as well as her passion for telling nuanced, character-driven stories. Her adoption story is integral to her outlook on life and her work, influencing the depth and authenticity she brings to her characters and narratives.

For More:

Gina Prince-Bythewood in conversation with author Rebecca Carroll on the book Surviving the White Gaze:

Black Excellence: Keegan-Michael Key

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 Patricia Walsh and Michael Key. His mother of origin and his adoptive mothers are white, and his father of origin and his adoptive father are Black. Being biracial and raised in a biracial household played a significant role in his upbringing and helped shape his understanding of identity and race, themes that often appear in his work.

Being biracial and raised in a biracial household played a significant role in his upbringing and helped shape his understanding of identity and race, themes that often appear in his work.

In interviews, Key has shared that his adoption journey and being biracial gave him clarity about identity from an early age. He learned to appreciate the diverse perspectives of both communities, and this duality helped him find empathy and understanding in his personal and professional life. He has said that his background allows him to see situations from multiple points of view, which has influenced his approach to comedy, particularly in exploring social and racial dynamics. Key has also mentioned that his experiences with adoption and race helped him develop resilience and self-awareness, giving him the tools to address topics like race, identity and privilege with nuance and humor in his work on Key & Peele and beyond.

For more from Keegan-Michael Key:

On adoption: https://youtu.be/XlQV7P6yj-M?si=5En-fE2K6hhCcdhT

On comedy: https://www.npr.org/2023/10/10/1204833725/keegan-michael-key-breaks-down-how-he-sets-up-a-joke

Black Excellence: Colin Kaepernick

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 and elsewhere.

After the 2016 season, he lost his position as an NFL player, and no team has been willing to let him play since. He has continued his advocacy work, including community outreach and education initiatives.

Kaepernick’s resolve and bravery, to be one of the most visible leaders in contemporary efforts to end police brutality and race discrimination, and his willingness to risk his job and passion, have inspired people all over the world.

Colin Kaepernick is also transracially adopted. He grew up with his adoptive family and excelled in sports, played college football at the University of Nevada, Reno, and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2011. Kaepernick feels a strong connection to his biological roots, and has spoken openly about the complexities of identity and cultural heritage, and has used his platform to advocate for greater awareness of adoption issues and the importance of embracing diverse backgrounds. His upbringing has had an important impact on his social activism.

To Learn More:

Colin Kaepernick: Hopes of a 2022 NFL Comeback, from I am Athlete:

Change the Game, written by Colin Kaepernick, with Eve L. Ewing, illustrated by Orlando Caicedo: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0Z8YawR1Ae/?igsh=Z2lkeTF4eW1kd2Vo
Colin Kaepernick describes how he embraced his blackness as a teenager, from NPR 2023: https://www.npr.org/2023/03/08/1161925892/colin-kaepernick-nfl-graphic-novel-teen-identity

Photo credits:

Ted S. Warren-AP/Shutterstock.com
Blair Getz Mezibov Qiu
Blair Getz Mezibov Qiu

Black Excellence – Isaac Etter

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 parents.

Isaac utilizes his experience of being adopted to curate deep conversations about race, identity, and adoption. With his unique insight, Isaac facilitates impactful discussions about adoption's impact on children and how parents can support their children in navigating identity and racial identity development. He specializes in helping child welfare professionals and parents understand the unique challenges and joys involved in transracial adoption and fostering.

A Practical Guide: Transracial Adoption.

As a special offer to the TRJ community, Issac has created a special offer - $17.75 for his Identity guide, A Practical Guide: Transracial Adoption. Now including two bonus chapters! One written by Julie Etter, adoptive mother, and an extended Q&A chapter.

Currently Isaac is working on releasing an update of his Black Hair Care guide to include QR links to explanations of tools, products, and also walkthroughs. Learn more about Issac and his work here and listen to monthly podcast episodes of Inside Transracial Adoption with his mom. Link: https://www.youtube.com/@identitylearning

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 an adoptive parent who enjoys sharing with groups of all sizes whether that is in person or online. Both therapeutically and personally, she is committed to never stop learning and growing. Primary specialties for Brooke include adoption competent therapy, Brainspotting, relationship building, and developmental trauma. Brooke is a certified Imago Relationship Therapist, a Certified Brainspotting Trainer & Consultant, and coordinator for the groups Brainspotting Indy and Brainspotting with Adoption.

This year, we are thrilled to have Brooke joining us at camp to help bring to life parent work sessions centered on creating a brighter path to inclusivity for transracially adopted persons as well as the extended family.

https://brooke-randolph.com/author-brooke/

Black Excellence: Michael Franti

Michael Franti is an American singer-songwriter, poet, activist and documentarian known for his socially conscious music. His work spans several genres including hip hop, reggae, jazz, folk and rock. Franti was born in Oakland, California, in 1966, the biological son of Mary Lofy and Thomas Hopkins. He was adopted shortly after birth by white parents Carole Wisti and Charles Franti, who had four other children—one adopted and three biological—and raised their children in the diverse and multi-cultural Oakland, California.

Franti talks openly about his adoption, and says that the experience has profoundly influenced his understanding of identity, belonging and social justice. Growing up bi-racial in a predominantly white family challenged his sense of identity, and fostered a deep sense of empathy and awareness for racial and cultural issues.

You may know Franti from his 2008 single, “Say Hey (I Love You)” which became a major hit and showcased his ability to create infectious, uplifting music. He produced and directed the film, “I Know I’m Not Alone,” which documented his travels through war-torn regions and the power of music to heal.

Franti met his biological father for the first time when he was 22 years old, and says about his biological father that he was wicked smart, and was the first African American researcher in the lab that developed the birth control pill. He remembers his first father as being socially awkward and not always emotionally present. He didn’t get to have his biological father with him on a daily basis growing up like he did with his adoptive father, but Franti says he feels his biological father inside, and has developed an understanding that in this way he has always had his father with him.

Franti is known for his warm and engaged stage presence and has dedicated his life to promoting messages of unity, positivity and generosity. In interviews he has spoken about the positive and supportive environment his adoptive parents provided and the importance of acceptance and love at home, which is reflected in his art.

Black Excellence: Viola Davis

Viola Davis is a highly acclaimed American actress known for her powerful performances on stage and screen. She was born on August 11, 1965, in St. Matthews, South Carolina.

She is known for her impactful roles in movies like “Doubt” in 2008, “The Help” in 2011, “Fences” in 2016, and “Windows” in 2018. She is also a trailblazer in the entertainment industry for being vocal about addressing issues related to racism, gender inequality and representation in Hollywood. Davis has used her platform to emphasize the importance of telling stories from historically ignored, erased or tokenized communities. She has highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for actors and filmmakers from marginalized communities to share their stories and be seen on screen. She is an outspoken supporter of the Black Lives Matter Movement and the need to end police brutality. She is a strong supporter of arts education programs, and believes in the transformative power of the arts.

Viola Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, adopted her daughter, Genesis Tennon, in 2011, and has been open about her experiences as a mother and the joys and challenges of parenthood.

Davis has spoken about the significance of raising Genesis with a deep understanding of her heritage and roots, acknowledging the importance of cultural pride and self-acceptance.

She wrote the book, “Corduroy Takes a Bow,” a picture book illustrated by Jody Wheeler. The story follows Corduroy the bear and his friends as they find the excitement, magic and friendship in theater.

Learn more:

Viola Davis: “My Entire Life Has Been a Protest”

Photo Credits:
Viola Davis
Dario Calmese

Black Excellence: Austin Channing Brown

“The work of anti-racism is the work of becoming a better human to other humans. We are saying: I think you have capacity to be a better human, would you accept that invitation? And I can’t tell you how often the response is, ‘But I would rather just be nice and polite if that’s okay.’”

-Austin Channing Brown, from an interview with Brene Brown, 2020

Photos: credit Austin Channing Brown

Austin Channing Brown is a prominent voice in the world of anti-racism and justice work. Brown challenges societal norms and sheds light on the complexities of navigating race in America. She gives practical insight into breaking down how we go about doing anti-racism work in our own lives without putting the burden of white education onto black people.

As a speaker and advocate, Brown travels extensively, engaging audiences with her compelling storytelling and thought-provoking insights. Through her work, she emphasizes the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths about race and privilege, fostering authentic dialogue, and actively pursuing equity and justice. Brown's approach is both empowering and compassionate, encouraging individuals and organizations to confront bias and work towards meaningful change.

Photos: credit Austin Channing Brown

Her acclaimed book, "I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness," offers a poignant narrative of her own journey as a black woman, grappling with identity, belonging and systemic racism.

Austin Channing Brown is involved in various initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in workplaces, schools and communities. Her work serves to inspire introspection and action, challenging individuals and institutions to dismantle systems of oppression and cultivate environments where all people are valued and respected.

Austin Channing Brown's impact resonates far beyond her written words, inspiring countless individuals to embark on their own journeys towards understanding and dismantling racism.

Audre Lorde: A Woman Who Brought Intersectionality to the Forefront

Audre Lorde was a Black poet, essayist, and activist, whose work is celebrated for its honesty, raw emotion, and powerful imagery. She has had a profound impact on literature, feminism and resilience, especially her consistent emphasis on the importance of recognizing the interconnected nature of different forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism, homophobia, and classism. Known now as intersectionality, Lorde’s insights have had a profound impact on contemporary discussions of social justice and activism.

Lorde was born on February 18, 1934, in New York City, and was legally blind from birth. She did not speak until she learned to read at age four. She grew up in Harlem, known for its rich cultural history and vibrant community, which played a significant role in shaping Lorde’s identity and worldview, as it was a center of African American culture and activism during her formative years.

Through her work, Lorde gave voice to the experiences of marginalized individuals, and she often explored themes of disability and self-acceptance. She challenged dominant narratives and advocated for social change. Lorde was known for her warmth, empathy and ability to connect with others. She was a mentor and inspiration to many, especially within the LGBTQ+ and feminist communities.

A quote from her essay, “The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action,” expresses a contemporary theme that many people today are unpacking in their own lives: “Your silence will not protect you.” This powerful statement encapsulates Lorde’s belief in the importance of speaking out against injustice and oppression. She emphasized the need for marginalized individuals to use their voices to challenge systems of power and advocate for change, even in the face of resistance or fear.

In 1978, Lorde spoke at the National Women’s Conference in Houston, Texas. Her powerful speech titled, “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House,” became one of her most famous and influential works. In this speech, Lorde addressed issues of racism, sexism, homophobia, and classism within the feminist movement, calling for greater inclusivity and solidarity among women of different backgrounds. Her speech challenged the predominantly white and middle-class feminist movement to recognize and address the intersecting oppressions faced by women of color, LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized groups. Lorde’s contribution to the conference marked a pivotal moment in the feminist movement, sparking important conversations about diversity, intersectionality, and social justice that continue to resonate today.

The New Brownies’ Book: W.E.B DuBois, Karida L. Brown, and Charly Palmer

The New Brownies' Book
A Love Letter to Black Families

From Chronicle Books

Inspired by the groundbreaking work of W. E. B. DuBois, this beautiful collection brings together an outstanding roster of Black creative voices to honor and celebrate Black excellence.

The New Brownies' Book reimagines the very first publication created for African American children in 1920 as a must-have anthology for a new generation. Expanding on the mission of the original periodical to inspire the hearts and minds of Black children across the country, esteemed scholar Karida L. Brown and award-winning artist Charly Palmer have gathered the work of more than fifty contemporary Black artists and writers. The result is a book bursting with essays, poems, photographs, paintings, and short stories reflecting on the joy and depth of the Black experience-an immersive treasure trove that reminds readers of all ages that Black is brilliant, beautiful, and bold.

IMPORTANT HISTORICAL LEGACY: In 1920, W. E. B. Du Bois and the founders of the NAACP published The Brownies' Book: A Monthly Magazine for Children of the Sun, which included art, stories, letters, and activities to inspire children, share Black history, and celebrate their identities. As the first periodical for African American youth, this was an important work in the history of children's literature. The New Brownies' Book revives its mission to inspire the young readers of today.

INCREDIBLE CONTRIBUTORS: This book features the work of talented and exciting Black creators, including playwright and poet Ntozake Shange, writer and editor Damon Young, Def Poetry Jam co-creator and painter Danny Simmons, sociologist and educator Dr. Bertice Berry, children's book illustrator James E. Ransome, muralist Fabian Williams, collage artist Marryam Moma, and many more.

BEAUTIFUL KEEPSAKE: This collection presents a celebratory array of artwork, from detailed paintings and drawings to photographs and collages. It includes stories meant to be shared by children and adults, offering a way for all families-especially Black families-to connect across generations through the power of literature. With its meaningful content and deluxe packaging, this hardcover volume makes a thoughtful gift for new parents, grandparents, or inquisitive readers of all ages.

This beautiful book is packed with content that will inspire joy, evoke sadness, and demand reflection. Before diving in with children and young people, be sure to read through some of the essays, poetry, and articles. In the center of the book is a graphic essay entitled “I Don’t Want to be Black” - story and art by KEEF Cross and written by Shannon Byrd. It’s a very relevant commentary on how some Black children wish they were not Black because of how they are treated. Please be sure to read this one and process before you read with children. Not every Black child might wish they were not Black but some may and voice that and some may and not. This essay can be a good starting place to explore the topic when you are ready.

Learn more:

Photo Credit: Ted S. Warren-AP/Shutterstock.com

Photo Credit: Blair Getz Mezibov Qiu

Colin Kaepernick Changes the Game

To Learn More:

A Practical Guide: Transracial Adoption.

Book Corner:

The New Brownies' Book A Love Letter to Black Families

Karida L. Brown and Charly Palmer

Note to TRJ Parents:

Book Corner & Black Excellence

The New Brownies' Book
A Love Letter to Black Families