Author Rhonda Roorda discusses the challenges some parents face as 40% of adopted children are of a different race than their adoptive parents.
RHONDA M. ROORDA
For Speaking Engagements & Consulting Inquiries, Please Fill Out The Form Below.
SPEAKING APPEARANCES
Rhonda makes appearances in locations throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and The Caribbean. She focuses on issues pertaining to race, adoption, and identity as it relates especially to adoptive and multiracial families living in a world that is still racially and culturally divided. In her talks she highlights her latest Award-winning book, In Their Voices: Black Americans on Transracial Adoption and the Simon-Roorda landmark trilogy of books on Transracial Adoption. Her itinerary is in the process of being developed for 2022…
*Not all speaking appearances or consultations are listed below.
MARCH 26, 2022 IN-PERSON SPECIAL EVENT
Post-Adoption Seminar
“Living Life With Boldness & In Color: The Personal Journey of Author and Transracial Adoptee Rhonda Roorda“
Date: Saturday, March 26, 2022
Time: 9:00AM-1:00PM (CST)
Location: NICC Town Clock Business Center, 700 Main Street, Dubuque Iowa
Cost: FREE
This event is being sponsored by Chelsey’s Dream Foundation.
For more information about this Event and to RSVP please contact Heidi Linden Haas at (563) 451-3775!
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2021
APRIL 20, 2021 – VIRTUAL EVENT
LIVE Webinar with Author Rhonda Roorda
“Why It’s Important To Have Conversations About Race“
Date: Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Time: 7:00PM-8:30PM (CST)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5 (+Eventbrite Processing Fee)
This event is being sponsored by the WI Adoption & Permanency Support Program.
For more information about this Event and to RSVP please Click here!
FEBRUARY 27, 2021 – VIRTUAL EVENT
An Evening With Rhonda Hosted By Laura Harstad
“Powerful Conversations About Race, Adoption, & Identity“
Date: Saturday, February 27, 2021
Time: 7:00PM-10:30PM (EST)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $47 (+Eventbrite Processing Fee)
For more information about this Event and to RSVP please Click here!
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2020
NOVEMBER 14-15, 2020 – VIRTUAL EVENT
Celia Center National Adoption Conference
“Real Talk: Race, Adoption & Identity“
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2020
Time: 10:00AM-11:30AM PST
Location: Virtual
Cost: General Admission (2-Day Event) – $169 + 8.99 Fee
For more information about the Celia Center National Adoption Conference and to RSVP please Click here!
This event is being sponsored by: The Celia Center- Adoption|Foster Care|Support
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2020 – PRE-RECORDED PRESENTATION WITH LIVE Q/A
Talk About AdoptionTM – Adoption Speaks Conference
“Dear First Mama, I Carry Your Heart Within Me: The Journey of an Adult Transracial Adoptee and the Lessons Learned”
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2020
Time: 8:30AM-9:30PM EST
Location: Virtual
Cost: $55
For more information about the Adoption Speaks Conference and to RSVP please Click here!
This event is being sponsored by: Liberty University, Students for Life of America, Christian Adoption Services, Radiance Foundation, Life After Placement, Focus on the Family, Lifeline Children’s Services, Faithful Adoption Consultants, National Council for Adoption, Love Life, Alice Paul Group, The Adoption Law Firm, Heartbeat International, Abiding Love Adoption, and the South Carolina Citizens for Life.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16-18, 2020 – VIRTUAL FAMILY CAMP
Date: Friday, October 16 & Saturday, October 17, 2020
UMOJA-MN – Theme: Tell me who I am – Unity in our Diversity
“In The Midst Of Social And Racial Unrest: How Do Transracial Adoptive Parents Unify & Support Their Black And Brown Children In America?”
This will be a pre-recorded real talk by Transracial Adoptee & Author Rhonda Roorda. Rhonda will also appear on a first-time ever panel discussion with Author & Transracial Adoptee Shannon Gibney.
Time: Friday 5:00PM – Sunday 12:00PM EST
Location: Virtual
Cost: $0
For more information about the UMOJA-MN Virtual Family Camp and to RSVP please Click here!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2020 – LIVE ONLY! VIRTUAL PRESENTATION
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2020
Transracial Adoption: Helping Your Child Embrace Their Racial Identity
Discussion With Adoptee & Author Rhonda Roorda
Time: 10:00AM-3:00PM EST
Location: Virtual
Cost: $45
To Register for this Live Only! Event please Click here!
This Event is being hosted by Laura Harstad.
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2020 – VIRTUAL PRESENTATION
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2020 – July 26, 2020
Ethiopian Heritage Camp USA
“In The Midst Of Social And Racial Unrest: How Do Transracial Adoptive Parents Support Their Black And Brown Children In America?”
Time: 4:00PM-5:30PM EST
Location: Virtual
~This opportunity is exclusively for the Ethiopian Heritage Camp Families.
For more information about the Ethiopian Heritage Camp and registration please Click here!
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020 – CONSULTATION
Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Chelsey’s Dream Foundation
“Intimate Discussion on Transracial Adoption with Adoptee & Author Rhonda Roorda”
Time: 7:30PM-9:00PM CST
Location: 200 East Liberty Street, Anamosa, IA 52205
~This opportunity is exclusively for Chelsey’s Dream Foundation Families.
For more information about Chelsey’s Dream Foundation please Click here!
SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020, SOUTHFIELD, MI [POSTPONED TO A FUTURE DATE]
Date: April 18, 2020
Post Adoption Resource Center, Oakland, Wayne and Macomb County
“Transracial Adoption: Discussion and Training with Rhonda Roorda”
Time: 10:00AM-4:00PM
Location: Orchard’s Children’s Services – 24901 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield, MI 48075
This event is being sponsored by Orchards MDHHS. Entrance to this event is on a first come first served basis. Lunch will be served.
Please RSVP with Jennifer Harmon at (248) 530-5381!
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020, ST. GRAND RAPIDS, MI
Date: February 25, 2020
Mel Trotter Ministries
“Understanding The Meaning Of Amachi: Through the Eyes of a Transracial Adoptee”
Time: 8:00AM-12:30PM
Location: 225 Commerce Avenue SW, Grand Rapids, MI
For more information about Mel Trotter Ministries or about Rhonda’s Speaking Event, please contact Chief Solutions Officer Syd Harvey at (616) 588-8796 or Click here!
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2019
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019, ST. PETERSBURG, FL
Date: November 25, 2019
Florida Adoption Council 2019 Annual Conference
“Moving Beyond A Color-blind Policy: Building Strong Transracial Adoptive Families”
Time: 2:00PM-5:30PM
Location: Tradewinds Resort, St. Petersburg, FL
For more information on the the conference: Click here!
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019, NASSAU, BAHAMAS
Date: June 5, 2019
Commencement Speaker – “Finding Your Wings: From The Perspective Of A Black Transracial Adoptee Raised In A White Family”
Time: 6:00PM-7:30PM
School: Lyford Cay International School, Lyford Cay Drive, Nassau, Bahamas
Location: Bahamamar Hotel
For more information on the the conference: Click here!
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2019, FORT WORTH, TX
Date: February 12, 2019
“Embracing the Heart, Mind, and Spirit of Transracial Adoption”
Time: 9AM-12:00PM
Location: Gladney Center for Adoption, 6300 John Ryan Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76132
For more information on the the conference: Click here!
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Date: January 9-11, 2019 (Full Conference)
26th Annual Children’s Law Institute – Purpose, Hope, and Change: Improving Daily Practices and Building a Better System
“Moving Beyond The ‘Color-Blind’ Policy of Transracial Adoption: Raising Physically and Emotionally Secure Children”
Time: 10AM-11:30AM
Panel Discussion: “Developing Strategies to Strengthen Transracial Adoptees & Foster/Adoptive Families”
Time: 3:30PM-5:00PM
Location:
Hotel Albuquerque, Old Town
For more information on the the conference: Click here!
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2018
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2018, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Date: October 6, 2018
Discussion On Transracial Adoption
Time: 6:00PM-8:30PM (Speaking, Followed By Book signing)
Registration: By Invitation
Location: Private Residence
This event is sponsored by the Domino Foundation
SATURDAY, JUNE 29-30, 2018, FRANKENMUTH, MI
Date: June 30, 2018
2018 Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Parent Conference
“Caring For Children From Other Cultures”
Time: 2:40PM-4:00PM (Speaking, Followed By Book signing)
Registration: Filled To Capacity
Location: Bavarian Inn Lodge & Conference Center
1 Covered Bridge Lane, Frankenmuth, MI
This event is sponsored by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018, GRAND RAPIDS, MI
Date: May 17, 2018
Lunch & Learn With Rhonda Roorda – Transracial Adoption: Tips for Building Your Support System
Time: 11:30AM-1:15PM (Lunch Served 11:30AM-Noon)
This is a Free Event.
Location: Bethany Christian Services
Conference Center (Door G)
901 Eastern Avenue, NE, 1st Floor, Grand Rapids, MI
To RSVP Please Call Bethany At (616) 224-7565 Or Click here!
MONDAY, APRIL 23, 2018, BETHESDA, MD
Professional Workshop: Assessing Families for Transracial Parenting Readiness
Date: April 23, 2018
Time: 9:30AM-12:30PM
FEE: Individual $40
Location: The Barker Adoption Foundation
7979 Old Georgetown Road, 1st Floor, Potomac MD 20814
For More Information And To Register, Click here!
SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2018, POTOMAC, MD
Annual Conference: Voices Of Transracial Adoptees
“This year’s conference will feature keynote speaker, Rhonda Roorda, an accomplished writer, speaker, advocate for transracial families. Rhonda will share her experiences as an African American growing up in a white family and will discuss learning from and writing about other transracial adoptees, their siblings and their parents. She will talk about her new book on voices from the black community addressing transracial adoption.”
Date: April 21, 2018
Time: 9:00AM-2:00PM
FEE: Individual $50; Professionals with 3 CEUs $50 Individual/$60 Professional (Lunch is provided)
Location: The McLean School
8224 Van Lochinver Lane, Potomac MD 20854
For More Information And To Register, Click here!
This event is sponsored by Adoptions Together–Every Child, Every Family, Every Step of the Way and NBC4.
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2018, FLINT, MI
Together We Can!
A FREE Conference for Adoptive, Foster, Kinship, Guardian Parents, Support Systems, Professionals, and the Community.
Date: March 17, 2018 Time: 8:30AM-4:30PM
Location: South Baptist Church
4091 Van Slyke Road, Flint MI 48507
For More Information And To Register, Click here!
This event is sponsored by Judson’s Center’s Post Adoption Resource Center (PARC).
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2016-2017
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017, AUBURN HILLS, MI
2017 Mentoring Program Closing Event – THIS IS US
All Procurement and SQ Employees Are Welcome
Date: December 1, 2017 Time: 2:30PM-4:00PM
Location: Chrysler Corporation
HQ Amphitheater
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2017, HICKORY, NC
3rd Annual Adoption Connect, Expect, Reflect Conference Sponsored by Catawba County Social Services, Family Builders of Catawba Valley, and Corinth Reformed Church
Date: November 11, 2017 Time: 9:00AM-4:00PM
Location: Corinth Reformed Church, 150 16th Avenue, NW, Hickory, NC 28601
This is a FREE Event.
To Register Click here.
SUNDAY-TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29-31, 2017, COLUMBUS, OH
Second Nurture Adoption Retreat
Date: October 29-31
Venue: Dave Thomas Foundation: 7720 Rivers Edge Drive, Suite 245 Columbus, OH
TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2017, BELLAIRE, MI
Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services 2017 Statewide Adoption Worker Conference (MDHHS)
Date: August 21-22
Tuesday, August 22: Transracial Adoption
“Why Race and Culture Matter In Transracial Adoption”
Location:
Shanty Creek Resorts
5780 Shanty Creek Road
Bellaire, MI 49615
For More Information Click here.
SUNDAY, JULY 30, 2017, SOMERSET CENTER, MI
Kamp Kurat – 4th Annual Ethiopian Heritage Camp Weekend
Date: July 27-30
Sunday, July 30: Transracial Adoption
“After a busy Saturday, Sunday moves at a slower pace. Parents and older children are welcome to attend an interactive discussion about race with our guest speaker Rhonda Roorda. Younger children can choose between crafts or soccer game followed by our closing circle. There might be time for a little swimming or lunch before 1:00 checkout. Like Kamp Kurat on Facebook for activity updates as the weekend gets closer!” ~Kamp Kurat
Location:
Somerset Beach Campground
9822 Brooklawn Court
Somerset Center, MI 49282
For More Information Click here.
THURSDAY- SATURDAY, JULY 20-22, 2017, ATLANTA, GA
43rd Annual Adoption Conference & Award Ceremony Of The North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)
*Rhonda Roorda is a Recipient of the 2017 NACAC Friend Of Children And Youth Award and will be accepting this Award at the Ceremony Luncheon on Saturday, July 22.
Location:
Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in downtown Atlanta, GA 30303
To Register Click here.
THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017, NIJMEGEN, THE NETHERLANDS
A New Way Adoption Agency in Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Date: June 7-8
*Rhonda will be meeting with Adult adoptees and families in Nijmegen on Wednesday, June 7. The actual event is on June 8.
This event is an educational conference/meeting on transracial adoption. It is a popular event and space is a premium.
If you are in The Netherlands, please register with A New Way. (www.anw.nl)
More details to follow…..
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2017, NOVI, MI
Parents Of African American Students in Novi (P.A.A.S.N.)
Transracial Adoption: A Presentation and Discussion on Transracial Adoption Featuring Author & Adoptee Rhonda Roorda and Adoptive Mother & Blogger Sharon Florance Trumpy
Date and Time:
Wednesday, April 26 – 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Location:
Novi Public Library
45255 W. 10 Mile Rd., Novi, MI 48375
FREE Event
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017, CHARLOTTE, NC
Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services- Youth and Family Services Division
5th Annual Adoption Conference
Adoption: The Journey to Permanence
~Strengthening the Quilt One Patch at a Time~
Date and Time:
Friday, April 21, 2017 8:00am to 4:00pm
Location:
University Hilton Charlotte Place
8629 J M Keynes Dr., Charlotte, NC 28262
For More Information Click here.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2017, HICKORY CORNERS, MI
Woven By Love – Adoptive Mom’s Retreat (February 10-12, 2017)
Time: Rhonda will be speaking on Saturday for 2 sessions.
Location: Gull Lake Ministries – 1800 Burlington Drive, Hickory Corners, MI
For More Information Click here.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2017, CINCINNATI, OH
Diverse Voices In Transracial Adoption: Discussion and Book Signing
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Eastern Time Zone)
Location: Mayerson JCC – 8487 Ridge Road, Cincinnati
Cost For Event: FREE for Celebrate Adoption Members & Family
Nonmembers: Individual $15, families $25
Babysitting: available at JPlay for $3/hr per child, but reservations must be submitted in advance with your RSVP.
RSVP to Nikki Mayhew, npmayhew@gmail.com by Thursday, 2/2. Hurry! Space is limited!
*Event sponsored by Celebrate Adoption.
For more information, click here.
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2015-2016
Saturday, November 14, 2015, Silver Spring , MD
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Eastern Time Zone)
Private Residence – Invitation Only
POSTPONED: Sunday, November 15, 2015, Bethesda, MD
Time: 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm (Eastern Time Zone)
The Barker Adoption Foundation
7979 Old Georgetown Road
First Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
Call for more information: 301-664-9664.
Saturday, December 5, 2015, Grand Rapids, MI
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Eastern Time Zone)
Calvin College Campus Book Store
3201 Burton St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Event Contact Mary Gabrielse at (616) 526-7050.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016, Grand Rapids, MI
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Pacific Time Zone)
FREE event.
Calvin College
3201 Burton St. SE
Covenant Fine Arts Center
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Find event details and directions online by clicking on: http://calvin.edu/calendar/event.html?id=e397b33a-cfaa-419e-897c-a7eee44a0a0b.
Event Contact Susan Buist at (616) 526-8520 or alumni@calvin.edu with additional questions.
Friday, February 26, 2016, Bellingham, WA
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Pacific Time Zone)
FREE event.
Village Books
1200 11th Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Event Contact (360) 671-2626, villagebooks.com for more information.
Sunday, February 28, 2016, Seattle, WA
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Pacific Time Zone)
The Adoptive Friends and Families of Greater Seattle (AFFGS)
FREE For AFFGS Members; $5 for Non-Members.
Location: University Presbyterian Church
Calvin Lounge (first floor, big corner room)
4540 15th Avenue, NE
Seattle, WA 98105
Event Contact (425) 243-7725; http://m.bpt.me/event/2497049 to register.
Teens and pre-teens are welcome in the audience. Supervised Childcare is available in a separate room – $10 for 1 child; $15 for 2 or more children. For children Ages 1-12. Space is limited to 20 children, please register in advance for child care.
Rhonda will be discussing her experience growing up as a transracial adoptee and will read from her latest book “In Their Voices-Black Americans on Transracial Adoption.” She will also be signing books-we will have books at the event available for purchase. More details soon and sign up on Brown Paper Tickets.
RESCHEDULED: Saturday, March 19, 2016, Rockville, MD
Barker’s Adoption Foundation’s 22nd Annual Adoption & Foster Care Conference
Time: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm (Eastern Time Zone)
Early Bird Fee until 2/26/16: $90/Individual, $155/couple
Location: The Universities at Shady Grove Conference Center
9630 Gudelsky Drive
Rockville, MD 20850
Event Contact Kathleen Porter, 301-664-9664 for more information.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016, Livonia, MI
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Eastern Standard Time Zone)
Madonna University Author’s Event
Author Visit & Book Signing
Join us as we welcome Rhonda Roorda, author of: In Their Voices: Black Americans on Transracial Adoptions, to the library Tuesday March 29th at 6:00 p.m. Roorda was adopted into a white family and raised with two non-adopted siblings. She is a national speaker on transracial adoption and a recipient of the Judge John P. Steketee Adoption Hero Award from the Adoptive Family Support Network (Mich.)
For more information go to: http://library.madonna.edu/pdf/Rhonda_Roorda.pdf
Saturday, June 11, 2016, Ann Arbor, MI
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Eastern Standard Time Zone)
The Adoptive Friends Support Network (AFSN) Adoption Discussion
FREE Event
Location: Zion Lutheran Church
1501 West Liberty
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
For more information go to:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15b3Hy4ixMmID0PNzwQyboah4FA4rHkL0DK5lIRmuW_M/viewform?c=0&w=1
Saturday, August 13, 2016, Southfield, MI
Time: 9:30a.m – 3:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time Zone)
Orchards Children’s Services Post Adoption Resource Center (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services) All-Day Transracial Adoption Workshop
Location: Orchards Children’s Services
24901 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 500 Southfield, MI 48075
A light breakfast, and lunch will be provided to you at no cost.
Childcare is available on a limited basis.
Please RSVP to Jenny at 248-530-7540.
Rhonda M. Roorda, MA 