The Story Is Traveling.
Rhonda M. Roorda is taking Torn from the Root across the country—into bookstores, universities, community spaces, media conversations, and rooms where people are ready to talk honestly about identity, adoption, race, family, faith, and belonging.
Beyond the page, into the conversation.
Torn from the Root is Rhonda M. Roorda's deeply personal memoir of growing up as a Black transracial adoptee in a white family—and of the lifelong questions surrounding identity, race, family, faith, and belonging.
Her 2026 book tour extends those questions beyond the page, creating opportunities for readers, institutions, and communities to listen, reflect, ask difficult questions, and join the conversation.
Torn from the Root
The Memoir
A story about identity, adoption, race, family, faith, and belonging—and the questions that remain long after childhood ends.
Watch the official trailer and enter the story before the conversation begins.
Watch the Book TrailerThe story travels in many forms.
Explore interviews, podcasts, national media appearances, and featured conversations where Rhonda brings her lived experience and professional perspective into the wider public conversation.
In the Media
Television appearances, interviews, features, and conversations surrounding Rhonda's books, expertise, and work.
Explore Media →Audio & Podcasts
Listen to conversations about transracial adoption, identity, family, faith, leadership, and the experiences that shape us.
Listen & Explore →In Conversation
A closer look at the people, questions, ideas, and conversations surrounding Rhonda's work.
Enter the Conversation →Politics & Prose Washington, D.C.
The official Washington, D.C. launch of Torn from the Root brought Rhonda back to the region where the earliest chapters of her life began.
In conversation with Jelani Freeman, the evening opened a larger dialogue about adoption, identity, race, family, and the complicated work of understanding where—and with whom—we belong.
Explore Politics & Prose →Come hear the story. Join the conversation.
Meet Rhonda. Hear the story behind Torn from the Root. Ask questions. Share perspectives. And take part in the larger conversation about identity, adoption, race, family, and belonging.
Politics & Prose
Union Market • Washington, D.C.
7:00 PM • Official Book Launch
In conversation with Jelani Freeman
Cleveland Author Talk
Coventry Village Branch • Heights Libraries
2:00–4:00 PM
Presented by Adoption Network Cleveland
and Mac's Backs Books
Maybe the story belongs in your community.
Book Rhonda for a keynote, author conversation, podcast, media interview, university event, community discussion, or book gathering.
Invite Rhonda