November is National Adoption Awareness Month. Black to the Beginning is providing a voice to Black adoptees with the Black Adoption Podcast. Sandria Washington and Dr. Samantha Coleman, two longtime friends did not learn that they were both adopted until they were adults. They created a space to discuss the multi faceted world of Black adoption. This month they are celebrating two years of providing this space and amplifying the voices of Black adoptees. Rolling out spoke with them about their importance to the culture, transparency and what people should be mindful of?
Why is the Black Adoption Podcast important to the culture?
Dr. Sam: I found out (I was adopted) at 26, but it took me a full decade to really even begin to share. I felt ashamed and embarrassed. There was no one else to talk to about this. There was no community, there was no space or so I believed.
Finding out that Sandria was adopted as well and her already being a good girlfriend of mine, it was like we could travel this role, this journey together and then also do something that would be impactful to the community so that people don’t have to go decades long throughout the entirety of their lives without having community and being ashamed and not being able to speak out about their experiences.
What are your thoughts on the lack of transparency when it comes to Black families and adoption?
Sandria: A lot of times we are raised with the idea of, “Oh, I live with my grandmother.” “I was raised by my auntie.” We don’t always pick up on it as an adoption situation. If you’re being raised by someone who is kin to you or close to the family, it just kind of is what it is. On one hand it’s so common that maybe we don’t talk about it because once you’re family, you’re family.
At the same we often talk about that line between something being secret and something being private. When you’re leaving out details about someone’s true origin you’re not only robbing that person of their own story, but you’re robbing that entire family.
What should people be mindful of when it comes to Black Adoption?
Dr. Sam: I think they should be mindful of the fact that these are unique experiences that we have ownership over that we don’t want transformed, erased or diminished in any sort of way. We are taking this space, do not intervene in any way.
Sandria: I would just want people to broaden their perspective. That’s what we hope we are doing with the podcast, How do we get people to really broaden their perspective of what Black adoption experiences look like, even if they aren’t using the word adoption?
Black To The Beginning will celebrate the two year anniversary of the Black Adoption Podcast November 10, 2022 at the Caruthers Center For Inner City Studies. Register at TBAPLive.eventbrite.com
