For February, Adoptions From The heart wanted to shed light on, not only birth parents and adoptees but those of that category who are also being the changes that they would like to see. If there is one correlating variable that each member of the adoption triad shares, it’s trauma. Whether big trauma or small, hardships and losses are still identity shapers and we wanted to focus on individuals who are using their traumas, experiences hardships, to make difference within the adoption community.
Adoptions From The Heart launched a campaign this month, called Voices of Adoption: Black Excellence, where each week, we dedicated our postings to someone new. We feel that everyone deserves to be recognized for all they do, especially when selflessness is involved. Standing in your truths is not always an easy task. Yet, these individuals do it so beautifully.
Here are this month’s features, with a sneak peeks into the final week’s posting for Voices of Adoption: Black excellence!
Week one, Adoptions From The Heart featured a series of children’s books that are designed to help parents begin navigating conversations with black children. We highlighted authors and illustrators of color, who are changing how children of color develop senses of identity. We chose creators who are breaking stigmas and challenging, not only how our children see themselves, but also how, parents, family, and
friends assist in building good character and self-love.
In transracial adoption, conversations about race and culture can be tough to have already. Having books to read and share with our little ones are the perfect transition into that age-sensitive talk.
‘Hair Love’ by Matthew A. Cherry; illustrated by Vashti Harrison ‘I Am Enough’ by Grace Beyers; illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo
Week two of the campaign, AFTH wanted to highlight someone of the adoption triad who is also using their story and experience as a member of the adoption triad, to bring awareness to others. It takes a special person(s) to turn their trauma into strength for others and this birth mom does just that.
Courtney Tierra, Birthmother, Public Speaker, Author, and Storyteller, is the epitome of what it means to use your experiences to make you stronger. She makes no excuses for her past, rather uses it as fuel for her future.
(Check out Courtney’s Story on AFTH’s Instagram feed.)
Week three of the campaign, we set out to continue highlighting parts of the adoption triad that often get overshadowed. People hear ‘domestic infant adoption’ and think the child won’t have traumas because the lives they are placed into are the only lives they know. That is a false statement. Infant adoptees soon become adult adoptees and navigating that, in itself, can be difficult.
Isaac Etter, Adoptee, Activist, Entrepreneur, and Public Speaker is a testimony to identity discovery and resiliency. He uses his trials, errors, successes, and strides to guide other adoptees and the adoption triad to better ways of preparing, pursuing, and the post-placement of adoption.
(Check out Isaac’s Story on AFTH’s Instagram feed.)
This upcoming, fourth, and final week, we want to do something super special for our entrepreneurs, making strides toward helping teach our adoptive parents and children of color how to love themselves, care for themselves, and begin early, the processes of discovering who they are. Stay tuned, to our Instagram feed. Friday, February 25th at 5 PM.
https://www.instagram.com/adoptionsfromtheheart/
To stay up to date with any events and webinars happening at Adoptions From The Heart, please be sure to visit us at https://afth.org/. Our events calendar allows you to stay in the loop with everything we have happening at the agency.
