Black Adoptees Identities

Black Adoptees Identities - Episode 29 - Fatmata and Hawa

In this episode, Christelle Pellecuer is in conversation with Fatmata and Hawa, the hosts of Adopted Gals podcast.  Fatmata and Hawa were both adopted from Sierra Leone to America when they were 9 years and 8 years old respectively.

Fatmata and Hawa discussed how they started Adopted Gals podcast and then shared the background to their adoption. They talk about their memories in war-torn Sierra Leone and their return visit, when adults, to meet their birth family. Finally, they discussed how they built their identities in America.

Content warning: this episode contains discussion about war violence and abuse

Instagram: @adoptedgalspodcast

Tik Tok: @adoptedgals 

Black Adoptees Identities - Episode 28 - Shannon Gibney

Christelle Pellecuer is in conversation with writer, educator and activist, Shannon Gibney.

Shannon shared the background to her adoption, how she identified herself while growing up in a white family and her complicated on and off relationship with her birth family.

Shannon also talked about her activism and writing work and her novel The Girl I am, was and never will be.

www.shannongibney.com

@shannonelainegibney 

https://www.facebook.com/shannon.gibney.33

 

Black Adoptees Identities - Episode 27 - Shania Ives

Christelle Pellecuer is in conversation with Shania Ives, the founder of The Dunbar Project. 

Shania shared the circumstances leading her to be put into foster care and then being adopted and how the situation has impacted her and her identity.  Shania also discussed her relationship with her birth mother, moving back with her at 18 years old, then falling out and later rebuilding their relationship again.

Shania also talked about the work she does at the Dunbar Project, formerly known as Adoptee Futures.

 

@shania_sophia_

@thedunbarproject

www.thedunbarproject.org.uk

 

Black Adoptees Identities - Episode 26 - Sana Latrease Cotten

Christelle Pellecuer is in conversation with Sana Latrease Cotten, the founder and CEO of Unashamed, Inc.

Sana shared about her traumatic early years with birth family and foster care  before being adopted. She also discussed her chaotic teenage years and being a teen mum and her journey into adulthood and finding comfort in her faith.

Content warning: this episode contains discussion about child sex trafficking, sexual abuse, murder attempt, incarceration.

@sanalatrease

Black Adoptees Identities - Episode 25 - Corey Quinn

Christelle Pellecuer is in conversation with Corey Quinn, a musician and a transracial adoptee based in Michigan.

Corey shared about his early years moving from foster home to foster home before being adopted at the age of two. He talked about how his adoptive family had to sue the state to be able to keep him and consequently being invited on the Oprah Winfrey show following the court case. Corey shared about the challenges he faced during teenagehood and early adulthood and how he turned to music and writing songs for comfort. Corey also discussed his reunion with his biological siblings.

Content warning: this episode contains discussion about malnutrition, abuse, suicide ideation.

@coreyimperfect
https://coreygoldwaves.bandcamp.com/

Black Adoptees Identities - Episode 24 - Teisha Miles

Christelle Pellecuer is in conversation with blogger Teisha Miles. Teisha talked about her kinship adoption and her own experience of being raised by a family member and her relationship with her adoptive mother. They discussed the stigma and secrecy around adoption in the black community.  Teisha shared her work around kinship adoption education and her blog. 

 

@adoptedblackgirl

wwww.adoptedblackgirl.com

Black Adoptees Identities - Episode 23 - Matthew Anthony

Christelle Pellecuer is in conversation with Matthew Omowale Anthony, writer and podcast host. Matthew talked about growing up in a sundown town and how this has impacted their life. They also discussed the issue with the adoption system. Matthew also shared about his written piece called "Shape of Black", published in Logic(s) magazine. 

Instagram: @creativekindred_

Substrack: @creativekindred

X: @CantBurnTheSun

Book: You Can Not Burn The Sun

Black Adoptees Identities - Episode 22 - Molly McLaurin

Christelle Pellecuer is in conversation with Molly McLaurin, founder of Monarch Connections. Molly talked about what it means to her to be a biracial, transracial adoptee and how she navigated her identity. She also discussed her work with Monarch Connections and her current relationship with her twin sister, adoptive parents and biological family.

Content warning: general discussion about suicide from 35min32 to 36min16.

 

@monarchconnections

@identitynrace

www.monarch-connections.com

mollymonarchconnections@gmail.com