Three Ways You Can Celebrate Black History Month in a Transracial Adoption
Black History Month begins on February 1st! It is a yearly celebration of achievements made by black men or women. The said accomplishments can historically take place decades ago or recently as of last year. Also, the month brings light to social justice issues that many are unaware of happening years before their birth. Here at Adoption Choices of Colorado, we celebrate Black History Month with a diverse staff we honor at such an important time. To add on, we have had plenty of birth mothers or more that are black come to us and utilize our services. Adoption Choices of Colorado is a private adoption agency located in Colorado that serves the local birth mothers of the community seeking to put their baby up for adoption. We tell birth mothers that they are part of our family even after the adoption process is over. The same will be said to you if you decide to utilize and come to our adoption agency in Colorado.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
Transracial Adoption in Colorado and Embracing Cultural and Racial Differences
In the past years, we have seen a spike in transracial adoption, which is when a couple adopts a child of a different race than them. On television, scripted shows are spreading awareness of such a beautiful aspect of a Colorado adoption. However, there is still a deep stigma surrounding transracial adoption due to history and more. Many birth mothers are afraid that their child won’t grow up and understand the disadvantage they may have due to the color of their skin. There are plenty of reasons why and the only way that can change is through education. As a birth mother, you may be reading this and nodding your head in agreement, but we want you to know that transracial adoption is beautiful even though you have fears. We have witnessed plenty of families adopt children of a different race than them.
With Black History Month arriving, you may be a birth mother that is choosing a family of a different race to raise your child. Educating them on the likes of your race and culture during the adoption process would be important. But, that solely depends on the types of adoption you decide to utilize. If you would like to develop a relationship with your baby’s adoptive parents and after the adoption process is over, you would choose open adoption. Not just the adoptive parents, but your baby as well. Down below will consist of three different ways you can celebrate Black History Month with your baby’s adoptive parents!
- Black Figures: On the regular, at school, or within the media, the same black historical figures are discussed. It is beautiful because they wouldn’t have shaped society into what it is today without them. However, there are multiple black figures today that are not necessarily taught to society unless we conduct our research. As you can see in the news, learning about Black History is being banned in some states. That means people will have to teach themselves and their children. Having a conversion about those that matter to you and has paved the way for you in a way with the adoptive parents of your baby is important. They may not know much about such figures, and when you are not there as your child’s parent, they can discuss these topics with them as they become older.
- Protective Hairstyles: When it comes to boys, hair does not take as many steps to care for it compared to girls. When it comes to black boys, they will need more care and certain barbers to cut or do their hair differently than any other race. As for black girls, there are multiple hair textures, and they are all beautiful! However, black girls have to have protective hairstyles and products put into their hair daily for moisture and prevent breakage. The protective hairstyles come in the form of braids with their own hair or with hair added on. Having this conversation with your baby’s adoptive parents before they are born is more than important. Hair is part of black culture, and it takes so much care in order for black boys and girls to leave the house with their hair in the state they want. It would be a great asset to teach the adoptive parents about products to use and introduce them to hairstylists that you may know or have heard about. Even teaching them ways to do hair or sending them tutorials to watch can be helpful. Black History is about embracing the culture of black people as well, and hair is definitely its entity playing a role in black culture.
- Discussing the Differences Amongst You All: As people, we understand when those parts of society say, “I don’t see color.” however, there are people in the world that do, and that being said, it seems like the person denies the true issues that plague this country. As a birth mother, telling and comparing the differences to the adoptive family that they shall have with your baby will have begun the process of understanding. You want your baby to grow up with their identity intact. On shows, you have seen adopted children feel like they don’t know who they really are when adopted by someone of a different race. Showing love is not enough, and you want your child to feel accepted.
Depending on the type of adoption, these methods can be utilized after the adoption process is over! Black History Month is about education, and adoptive parents need to be taught just like any person if they want to understand. Giving your child love is not the only asset to raising a child.
Education Is Important at Adoption Choices of Colorado
If you are a mother facing an unplanned pregnancy in Colorado, never hesitate to contact us. We accept women of all races, sizes, and more with love and care. With 24/7 hours of operation, you can contact us through call, text, or our portal. We will definitely contact you back and welcome you to our family!
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to learn more about your adoption options, contact Adoption Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Text us: 720-371-1099, Call us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.
Meet the Author: Imani Agbionu is a recent graduate from George Mason University, earning her Bachelor of Science in Marketing. With a history in writing for her former university’s online publication, Her Campus, she aspires to become a successful journalist who can provide for herself and her family. She is from Washington, DC, where she has lived her whole life, but one day wants to move to experience and call another state home. Her mother is from Washington, DC, and her father is from Nigeria, part of the Igbo tribe. As an introvert, she loves streaming platforms, with her favorites being HBO Max, Netflix, and Disney+. Unfortunately, she can’t pick one due to all playing a vital role in her life on a daily basis. She enjoys reading, with her favorite book being The Shining by Stephen King, which she sees as unusual since she is a fearful person that avoids horror at all costs. Listening to music is a vital mechanism that helps her stay calm and deal with her anxiety at times. As an inspiring Journalist, she likes to write about a plethora of topics that some may look at as controversial, but she believes in staying true to herself. She doesn’t mind having conversations with people as long as opinions are being respected.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!