Born In June Raised In April: What Adoption Can Teach the World

What happens when the origin stories we are told growing up turn out to be folklore? In this powerful and deeply intimate conversation, host April Dinwoodie sits down with therapist, researcher, and author Dr. Abby Hasberry to unpack the layers of transracial adoption, identity, and the systemic complexities of the adoption constellation. Dr. Hasberry shares the vulnerable reality of discovering her true origin story later in life, navigating the unique space of being both an adopted person and a mother who relinquished a child as a teenager, and how these intersecting worlds informed her groundbreaking book, Adopting Privilege. Together, April and Dr. Hasberry dive into the concept of "identity preassignment," the profound impact of naming, and why moving away from transactional child welfare toward transformational, truth-centered love is essential for true healing. Updated Show Notes & Resources Key Takeaways From This Episode Folklore vs. Truth: The danger of fabricated adoption narratives and why anything less than the radical truth compromises the foundation of love. Identity Preassignment: How societal narratives can pre-program adopted individuals to assume specific roles within the adoption constellation before they even realize it. The Nuance of Privilege: Navigating the complex intersection of white adjacency, systemic barriers, and the lack of basic identity privileges (like access to original birth certificates). Reclaiming Space: Reclaiming personal geography, original naming legacies, and the importance of centering your own story. Resources & Links Mentioned Read the Book: Adopting Privilege by Dr. Abby Hasberry — Explore Dr. Hasberry's beautifully structured work on intersectionality, family legacy, and personal affirmations. - https://adoptingprivilege.com/about-dr-abby-hasberry Historical Context: National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) — Reference to the pivotal 1972 stance on transracial adoption and identity development. - https://www.nabsw.org/sites/default/files/2024-08/NABSW_Trans-Racial_Adoption_1972_Position_%28b%29.pdf Connect with the Host: Learn more about April's ongoing consulting, advocacy work, and initiatives via JuneinApril.com. - http://JuneinApril.com More About Dr. Abby Hasberry Dr. Abby Hasberry is a therapist, researcher, educator, and author who specializes in working with adopted persons and relinquishing mothers. After a successful career as a founding school principal, she returned to clinical and academic spaces to fill critical gaps in adoption-competent therapy for Black women. She is currently conducting research on adopted persons who have relinquished children and is developing an upcoming docuseries centering the lived experiences of the adoption constellation.

In this Mother's Day episode, April Dinwoodie sits down with Stacey Gatlin—founder of Yes We Adopt—to explore Black adoption, parenting after loss, and building community that centers authenticity and healing. Stacey shares her path through infertility, post-adoption depression, and the creation of Yes We Adopt—a platform that uplifts Black adoptive families, adopted persons, and birth parents. Together, they reflect on the power of community, the truth-telling needed in adoption spaces, and the mental and emotional load of mothering and leading out loud. A must-listen for anyone in the extended family of adoption or looking to parent with intention and care.

In March 2025, I am so fortunate and honored to welcome some of the members of the Transracial Journeys Community, Co-Directors Mary Halm and Karen Thomas. We dive into this idea of luck in adoption and the blessings and burdens that come along with this experience. We also hear from one of the Board of Directors of TRJ, and adoptive parent, Michelle Daray. There are so many incredible gems in this one! For any member of the adoption community, this is a must listen episode.

For many adopted persons, the journey to understanding identity and belonging is filled with complexities, questions, and the need for community. In this episode, host April Dinwoodie is joined by Tracie Carlson, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and fellow adopted person, to explore how growing up adopted shaped their identities and how finding community became essential to their journeys. From the experience of being "chosen" to the emotional realities of searching for family, April and Tracie discuss what it means to be truly seen and supported. They reflect on the both/and of adoption, the power of connection, and how creating spaces of belonging can change lives—not just for adopted persons, but for the world.

In November 2024, host April Dinwoodie sits with Producer Kyle Ferreira to talk about the both/and of her holiday table. April also shares helpful tips for transracially adopted persons when it comes to the holiday season.

This month host April Dinwoodie sits down with producer Kyle Ferreira to talk about the recent Transracial Journeys Camp that April is involved in each year and how beneficial this camp is to building confidence and clarity around some of the more difficult aspects of transracial adoption.

With July 4th as a backdrop, this month, producer Kyle Ferreira and host April Dinwoodie have a conversation about thoughts and experiences surrounding freedom and independence. We also discuss representation and the impact VP Kamala Harris.

This month, just after Mothers' Day, I sit down with my producer to have a conversation about my thoughts and emotions as it relates to adoption and Mothers', mothering, and Mothers' Day