As friends for over 20 years, Valerie Harrison and Katie D’Angelo have had lots of conversations about race and racism. Katie is white. Val is black. When Katie and her husband adopted their biracial son Gabriel, the conversations grew.
Through excellent research and some friendly back and forth sharing of stories, Katie and Val wrote the book Do Right By Me: Learning to Raise Black Children in White Spaces.
Doing right by a Black child means learning what challenges they will face because of race, where the disadvantages come from, what effect they have, and how people have been managing them.
Katie has a doctorate in education. Val has both a law degree and a doctorate in African-American studies. It is an understatement to say that these ladies are smart.
In the interview and in the book, they weave together so beautifully their experiences, their extensive research, and their hearts about transracial adoption.
One book review from DoRightByMe.org describes the book beautifully:
“The way the book is structured, D’Angelo and Harrison make you feel as though you are with two friends having a down to earth discussion – part history lesson, reality check and real life guide. It is straight to the point(s) with heartfelt stories to clarify. The book details the importance of learning about and embracing diversity and the impact (and responsibility) we all have as a community in raising children – really powerful.’
You will love listening to Katie and Val. You’ll hear why their friendship is so special and you’ll feel the warm way they share stories. I know that you will find hope and inspiration in this interview. Listen and share with others who may be thinking about transracial adoption.
What you’ll hear on this episode:
- What led Katie and her husband to adopt their son Gabriel.
- Why Katie and Val dedicated an entire chapter of their book to describe “the talk” (and find out what it means if you don’t know).
- Why Katie and Val decided to write this book and why they believe it will help you on the adoption journey.
- Learn why the first 36 months of Gabe’s life was so important to Katie and Val and what they did during this time to help him.
- Find out Katie and Val’s best tips for when you are considering transracial adoption.
- How you can get their book and why you should read it ASAP.
Links we talk about in this episode:
- DoRightByMe.org – connect with Katie and Val, read reviews and get their new book Do Right By Me: Learning to Raise Black Children in White Spaces.
- Connect with Katie and Val on Instagram – find out what they are up to on Instagram!
- IAG Adoption Support Group – our Facebook group is only for hopeful adoptive families or those who have already adopted. Come join the 2,000+ people in this amazing (and private) group to get support, get answers to your questions and learn from others who are on the same journey as you.
- Get my FREE GUIDE: How To Find The RIGHT Adoption Agency in 4 Steps. If you’re new to adoption, have no idea how to find an adoption agency, OR have struggled in your research to find the BEST agency – this FREE guide will help. It walks you through where to find infant adoption agencies, how to evaluate them and then how to choose the right one for you!
