News
Tuesday, February 22: Growing Up Black in White
Open to the public, author Kevin Hofmann shares his journey as a biracial adoptee in a Caucasian family living in Detroit in the turbulent era of the 1960s.
January 4, 2011
Author Kevin Hofmann will speak at Celebrate Adoption's annual transracial/transcultural adoption workshop on Tuesday, February 22.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 22: Growing Up Black in White
Open to the public, author Kevin Hofmann shares his journey as a biracial adoptee in a Caucasian family living in Detroit in the turbulent era of the 1960s.
CINCINNATI — In a two-hour presentation, author Kevin Hofmann will share his personal story of growing up as a biracial adoptee in a Caucasian family. Held on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., the session is presented by Celebrate Adoption, a Cincinnati-area network of families touched by adoption. The event will be located in the Mayerson Jewish Community Center, 8485 Ridge Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236.
Hofmann shares his story in his book, Growing Up Black in White (The Vine Appointment Publishing Company; available on amazon.com). Born in Detroit in 1967 to a white mother and a black father, Hofmann was adopted by a white minister and his wife, who were already parenting three biological children. As a child of the tumultuous decade of the civil rights struggle, Hofmann became part of a family that learned to navigate their community’s prejudice, judgment, scorn and confusion.
“In both the book and presentation, I share the process I used to create my own identity and how I learned to feel comfortable in my skin, especially with the support of my family,” Hofmann says. “My hope is that families with adopted children—especially those of another race or cultural background—can learn from my experiences as they create their family identity, even as they face pressures from both their community and society in general.”
“Research released from the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute (www.adoptioninstitute.org) in November 2009 clearly shows the importance of taking a proactive approach in continually discussing race, culture and identity in families who have chosen transracial and/or transcultural adoption," says Patty Bonem, LISW-S, Celebrate Adoption’s professional facilitator. "Kevin’s presentation will give parents an insider’s perspective on how to help their children embrace their differences and rise above the challenges as they forge their unique identity."
At the conclusion of the presentation, signed copies of Hofmann’s book will be available for purchase.
The event is Free for Celebrate Adoption Members. It is also open to the public at a cost of $15 for an individual or $25 for a couple. Advance registration is required by Friday, February 18. It is open to adults only. Childcare will be available, $2/child/hour with advance registration required.
To register, please submit each attendee’s name, phone number AND email address to Nada Hammann, event chair: nhammann@fuse.net. In case of bad weather, registrants are asked to provide a reliable way for Celebrate Adoption to reach them (phone and/or email) should we need to reschedule. For more event information, please contact Patty Bonem at (513) 281-5958.
To see the promotional flyer for this event, click here.
About the speaker
Kevin Hofmann is an accomplished writer, blogger and public speaker who has a passion for adoption, and especially transracial adoption. An active adoption advocate, he enjoys sharing his experiences as a biracial transracial adoptee to help other adoptive families. Hofmann lives with his wife and two sons in Toledo, Ohio. Learn more at www.KevinHofmann.com, which also includes an electronic press kit for media outlets.
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About Celebrate Adoption
Celebrate Adoption is open to families at any stage of their adoption journey (prospective, matched, finalized, etc.) who have formed their family through any means (agency, foster-to-adopt, domestic, international, etc.). Annual family membership dues are just $35. Membership includes all programs—INCLUDING THIS ONE, plus monthly discussion groups, educational workshops, holiday party, annual picnic, Celebration of Women,
and more—AT NO EXTRA CHARGE.
Transracial/Transcultural Workshop: Growing Up Black In White
| Time: | 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM |
| Date: | Tuesday, February 22 |
| Location: | Mayerson JCC 8485 Ridge Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236 (south, off of Ronald Reagan Highway) |
| Contact: |
nhammann@fuse.net or call 513.218.5958 |
| Description: | On February 22, 2011, Celebrate Adoption welcomes Kevin Hofmann, author of Growing Up Black in White, and speaker for our annual transracial/transcultural workshop.
Born in Detroit in 1967 to a white mother and black father, author Kevin Hofmann was adopted by a white minister and his wife, with three biological children. As a child of the tumultuous decade of the civil rights struggle, Hofmann became part of a family that learned to navigate through their community’s prejudice, judgment, scorn and confusion. He shares his truly American story of hope, love, and promise—a gift for every adoptive family struggling to create identity in a transracial life. Signed copies of Kevin’s book, Growing Up Black in White, will be available for purchase. FREE to Celebrate Adoption Members | Non-members:$15 individual; $25 couple ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED To see the promotional flyer for this event, click here.
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