While the love may come easily, choosing to adopt transracially comes with complexities. Racism, discrimination, and cultural differences are real and at times difficult to navigate.

Here are three must-have resources for transracially adoptive parents:

1. Social Media

Aside from local transracial adoption groups (like this one in Iowa), the following Facebook groups are helpful resources for adoptive parents to have honest conversations with all members of the adoption triad:

  • Transracial Adoption Perspectives: Members include adult transracial adoptees, birth parents, transracially adoptive parents, all members of families connected to transracial adoption. Topics include educational discussions, current events, and helpful resources for navigating the complexities of transracial adoption.
  • Not Just Hair: The intersection of Hair/Skincare and Transracial Adoption: Members include adoptive parents and people of color who offer advice, tips, and insight to transracially adoptive parents. Topics focus around haircare and skincare and how they intersect with race, class, and adoption.
  • Joy-Filled Transracial Families: Members include transracial families built via adoption and biology; a variety of topics are discussed in this group, mostly from an adoptive parents’ perspective.

2. In Their Voices: Black Americans on Transracial Adoption

Written by a transracial adoptee Rhonda Roorda, M.A., this important book explores the history of transracial adoption in the U.S. and common challenges transracial adoptees face. With more than a dozen interviews, this book is a valuable resource for transracial families to hear critical perspectives, including how to raise adopted children of color with a positive self-image.

Roorda also co-authored the following books:  In Their Own Voices, In Their Parents’ Voices, and In Their Siblings’ Voices.

3. Be The Bridge

Be The Bridge is an organization that builds partnerships with people who seek racial justice and reconciliation. It is faith-based and encourages conversations with an intent to learn from and educate others on injustices.

Parents in transracial families may be particularly interested in locating a local Be The Bridge chapter (to find or start a local chapter, you’ll need to join Be The Bridge on Facebook first).