Ep 6: AdoptMent with April Dinwoodie

AdoptMent with April Dinwoodie

Episode 06: Show Notes.

Adoption and the emotional journey of parents and children can be a complex one. This dynamic can be enlarged when combined with the added dimension of race. Our guest today, April Dinwoodie, is the brains and heart behind the non-profit, AdoptMent, and she is here to share her story as a black person adopted by white parents and how this fact influenced her work and personal path in the world.

During our conversation, we cover the lessons she learned in these areas and about the individual nature of these learnings. Growing up in a loving family, but one that did not address many of April's concerns about her family and racial identity left her with many questions — the answers of which took persistence and courage to uncover.

She tells us about how her own life experiences led her to her main focus today, AdoptMent, a foster care and mentorship program. We get amazing insight into the adoption process, the often unexamined life of black children in white neighborhoods, and how she has come to understand the role and structure of family. An essential listen for anyone with an interest in adoption and especially to those who may consider adopting a child from a contrasting background to their own, this episode is jam-packed with insight and personal reflection, so make sure to listen in!

Key Points From This Episode:

April's childhood love of books and her favorite elements of stories in her younger years.
Experiences of adoption and April’s awareness of her family dynamics.
The feelings and thoughts that April had about race and otherness as a young child.
The roots of April's curiosity in other people and interest in social dynamics.
April's mental and emotional landscape during her youth; lots of tears and mixed feelings.
Impressions of volunteering, focus on family structures, and how Light and April met!
April's search for her birth family and gaining an understanding of the adoption process.
The first steps of investigation for April; collecting information and pursuing the truth.
Tracking down family in Hawaii and the first phone call between April and her birth mother.
Profound realizations and reflections on that first conversation.
The shifts and changes that happened for April around this time.
April's work with the state of New York and the beginnings of AdoptMent.
Diving into the deep end — figuring out the non-profit world and applying existent skills to it.
Balancing corporate work with mentoring and navigating white spaces over the years.
April's unflinching commitment and passion for being of service to young people in need.
The last contact that April had with her birth mother before her passing.
The impact of connecting with family on April's work with AdoptMent and the rest of her life.
April's departure from the corporate world and shift into a more focused role in training.
Advice for white folks considering adopting black children; everyday practices and unseen privilege.
Lessons that April learned in her search for her parents and the most important resources for this task.
The most valuable elements of the adoption process according to April.
Coming full circle with April; the stories that she connected with and their meaning today!