In honor of National Adoption Month, we share two powerful stories of love, healing, identity, and belonging from adoptees Kiante Conger and Tony Parsons. In this very special episode, Kiante and Tony offer heartfelt insights into growing up as part of transracial adoptive families. Together with the show's co-host, Luke Mitchell, transracial adoptee, they explore how their experiences shaped their racial identities and the lasting impact on their lives today.

Join us as they discuss the evolving importance of hair care and its cultural significance while also addressing key moments in their lives where they sought emotional support and counseling as adoptees. This conversation provides a rare glimpse into the joys and challenges of navigating life in a transracial adoptive community, both during childhood and as adults. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear their stories firsthand as they reflect on what it means to find identity and belonging in the embrace of family and culture.

Tamekia Swint speaks with Loyola University's Chicago School of Law, law and social justice professor Anita Weinberg, Jocelyn Fetting, an aspiring intern for the IDCFS Statewide Youth Advisory Board, and Ni'Yuana Baker, intern for the central region of the Illinois Statewide Youth Advisory Board, about the HB 5097 bill. A call to action by the DCFS Statewide Youth Advisory Board to help youth maintain their connection to culture and identity while in foster care through proper hair care.

For more information on the Youth Advisory Board: dcfs.illinois.gov/brighter-futures/independence/ statewide-youth-advisory-board.html

Contact Anita Weinberg at aweinbe@luc.edu to initiate a bill like HB 5097 in your state.

Tamekia Swint speaks with transracial adoptive mom Roxanne Engstrom and Lydia Mercer, an advocate for others in the racial (Un)Learning space, about hair discrimination, racism, and advocacy.

Black hairstyling and its caring methods protect the culture, traditions, and hair protective rights of every Black person who would wear them. - Tamekia Swint