Rhonda M. Roorda
Stories That Shape Identity. Voices That Transform.
Award-winning author, speaker, executive coach, and consultant whose work explores race, identity, adoption, family, leadership, communication, and belonging.
Author of Torn from the Root: A Memoir of a Black Transracial Adoptee and consultant to the Emmy-winning television series This Is Us.
Meet Rhonda M. Roorda, B.A., M.A.
Rhonda M. Roorda is an award-winning author, speaker, executive coach, and consultant whose work explores transracial adoption, race, identity, belonging, and communication across difference.
A Black transracial adoptee adopted from New York foster care at age two into a white American family of Dutch descent, Rhonda brings lived experience and decades of professional engagement with adoption, family, and racial identity.
Her work connects personal experience, research, storytelling, and professional leadership to help families, organizations, and communities engage complex conversations with greater honesty and understanding.
Torn from the Root
A Memoir of a Black Transracial Adoptee
In this deeply personal memoir, Rhonda M. Roorda examines the experience of growing up Black in a white adoptive family and the lifelong questions of identity, belonging, race, and roots that followed her adoption from foster care.
The memoir offers an intimate look at birth-family separation, the realities of transracial adoption, and the limitations of colorblind approaches to race and family.
Official launch: July 31, 2026.
Explore the BookAreas of Expertise
Rhonda brings lived experience, scholarship, storytelling, and professional leadership to conversations that ask difficult questions and move beyond easy answers.
Transracial Adoption
The lived experience, complexities, and long-term realities of raising children across racial and cultural lines.
Black Adoptee Voices
Centering the perspectives and experiences of Black and transracial adoptees.
Race & Identity
Understanding how race, identity, and belonging develop within families and communities.
Family & Belonging
Family relationships, difference, identity, and what it means to truly belong.
Communication Across Difference
Navigating difficult conversations with greater understanding, clarity, and intention.
Leadership & Professional Development
Executive coaching and consulting informed by decades of leadership and organizational experience.
Suggested Interview Questions
These questions can help producers, journalists, and podcast hosts shape a substantive conversation with Rhonda.
What does it mean to grow up Black in a white adoptive family?
What inspired you to write Torn from the Root?
How did adoption from foster care shape your understanding of identity and belonging?
Why isn't love alone enough to prepare families for transracial adoption?
What are the limitations of colorblind approaches to adoption?
What do adoptive parents need to understand about racial identity?
How can professionals better support Black children and transracial adoptive families?
What have decades of adoption advocacy and scholarship taught you?
How can families talk honestly about race without creating fear or division?
What does meaningful belonging look like for an adopted person?
Selected Media & Professional Platforms
Rhonda's work has reached audiences through television, print, podcasts, public conversations, and professional consulting. Her television consulting experience includes the Emmy-winning series This Is Us.
Television Consulting
Rhonda served as a consultant for the Emmy-winning series This Is Us, contributing expertise related to transracial adoption, race, family, and identity.
Media & Public Conversation
Rhonda participates in media interviews and public conversations focused on adoption, race, identity, family, belonging, and the experiences of transracial adoptees.
Explore selected appearances on the Media & Interviews page .
Five Books. Decades of Conversation.
Rhonda's books bring together personal stories, research, and perspectives on transracial adoption and family life.
Torn from the Root: A Memoir of a Black Transracial Adoptee
Temple University Press · 2026
In Their Voices: Black Americans on Transracial Adoption
Columbia University Press · 2015 · Choice Outstanding Academic Title
In Their Own Voices: Transracial Adoptees Tell Their Stories
Columbia University Press · 2000 · Coauthored with the late Dr. Rita J. Simon
In Their Parents' Voices: Reflections on Raising Transracial Adoptees
Columbia University Press · 2007 · Coauthored with the late Dr. Rita J. Simon
In Their Siblings' Voices: White Non-Adopted Siblings Talk About Their Experiences Being Raised with Black and Biracial Brothers and Sisters
Columbia University Press · 2009 · Coauthored with the late Dr. Rita J. Simon
Professional Experience & Awards
Education & Leadership
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M.A. in Communication–Urban Studies
Michigan State University -
B.A. in Telecommunications–Strategic Communication
Calvin University - 30+ years in workers' compensation fund administration
- 14 years as Fund Administrator
- Calvin University Alumni Board
- Calvin University Board Secretary and Executive Member of the Board of Trustees
Awards & Recognition
- 2024 Adoption Knowledge Affiliates Vanguard Adoption Award
- 2022 Richard K. Ransom Award
- 2017 NACAC Friend of Children and Youth Award
- 2010 Judge John P. Steketee Adoption Hero Award
- 30th Annual New York Book Show — Third Place
Media Resources
Use these resources to learn more about Rhonda's work, prepare an interview, or request additional press materials.
Book Information
Publication information, descriptions, and links for all five books are available on the Books page.
Media & Interviews
Visit the Media & Interviews page for selected television, podcast, print, and public appearances.
Photography
High-resolution author photography and additional press assets are available upon request.
Interview Topics
Rhonda is available for conversations about transracial adoption, Black adoptee experiences, race, identity, belonging, communication, leadership, and family.
For producers and journalists: When reaching out, please include your outlet, story or program, deadline, format, expected interview length, and preferred contact method.
Let's Start a Conversation.
For interview requests, podcast invitations, broadcast appearances, book features, and moderated conversations, connect with Rhonda to explore the possibilities.
When reaching out, please include your outlet, topic, deadline, and preferred format.
© 2026 Rhonda M. Roorda · All Rights Reserved