Phone: 1.800.775.1797

n response to the social and racial unrest erupting in communities across America, Rhonda will focus on how parents can support their children within their own families and in society. In her talk, Rhonda will give a brief overview of the history of Transracial Adoption in the U.S., specifically as it relates to Black and Biracial children raised by white parents. Through the sharing of her own story around race and identity as well as the stories of the adult adoptees, adoptive parents, and non-adopted siblings there will hopefully be an understanding of the need to embrace the best of the Transracial Adoptive practice and recalibrate in areas that are not in the best interest of adoptees of color. 

Rhonda will have a “Buna Talk” with the older kids, so she can share her experiences. This gives an opportunity for the kids to speak and ask their questions. 

Rhonda M. Roorda was adopted at the age of two into a white American family with Dutch heritage. She was raised with her two non-adopted siblings in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Rhonda is an Author & International Speaker on Transracial Adoption.  Rhonda’s latest book, In Their Voices: Black Americans on Transracial Adoption was named by Choice Magazine as a 2016 Outstanding Academic Title. With the late Dr. Rita J. Simon, she coauthored a landmark trilogy of books on Transracial Adoption (In Their Own Voices, In Their Parents’ Voices, and In Their Siblings’ Voices).  Rhonda’s work is highly regarded in academia, among adoption agencies, foundations, parent groups, in corporations, in Hollywood, and in households throughout the United States and abroad.  Rhonda is the recipient of the 2010 Judge John P. Steketee Adoption Hero Award from the Adoptive Family Support Network (MI).  In 2017, Rhonda was awarded the Friend of Children and Youth Award from the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC). Rhonda earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Telecommunications from Calvin University; and a Master of Arts Degree in Communication-Urban Studies at Michigan State University.  From 2013-2016, Rhonda served on the Calvin University Alumni Board.  Currently she serves as a Member of the Calvin University Board of Trustees.  Rhonda is a fund administrator at an educational advocacy organization in Lansing, Michigan.

A growth mindset is the belief that intelligence improves through learning and constant practice. People with a growth mindset think the brain is like a muscle that grows stronger with continuous training. This workshop teaches children to redefine success by embracing challenges, persisting in the face of setbacks, learning from criticism, seeing effort as a path to success, and finding lessons and inspiration in the success of others. We will use fun and interactive activities where they will learn verbal and mental queues to cultivate this mindset. Your children will walk away with a brand new definition of achievement and success, a fresher outlook on winning and losing.

 Bilen Mandefro (Blaine) works in Human Resources as a Manager of Learning & Development in a corporate Career and Development environment. Bilen also has extensive experience in higher education where she has worked as an Associate Dean supporting learning and development efforts across multiple physical campuses located in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions of the United State,  as well as online.  Bilen also worked in Student Affairs and as a Director of Disability Services where she assisted students in the Washington DC area further their academic careers. Earlier in her career, Bilen spent years managing Student Support Services where she was responsible for running academic advising and career counseling programs for adult students. Bilen says the best part of that job was developing strategies and designing assessment methods to improve student learning outcomes with the end goal of graduating her students. It was due to insights gained there that she decided to become an advocate for equity in higher education as well as in the workplace. Bilen believes that people have infinite capacity to grow and knows that most only require the opportunity to learn and upskill. She is a strong proponent of hard work and a believer of discipline as a means to self-improvement.  Bilen holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management & Organizational Development and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies & Conflict Management. She is currently pursuing her second Master’s degree in Education and in her free time enjoys traveling, reading, and going to outdoor concerts. Bilen also volunteers with District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS).

Our current situaiton has brought to the top of everyones consciousness the issues of racial injustice, white privilege, and socio-economic inequity. While many of us here may be somewhat insulated from the worst situations, no matter where you are in life, this is the typical social construct that a black person must deal with each and every day. One finds at work, school, or other social settings a certain number of white people are inclined to be allies, others may have now been moved enough to rethink their indifferences, others will have not changed not matter what they have seen, continuing to have negative dispositon toward black people.   Marcus will lead this discussion to help us think through how to help our children navigate our current sitiuaiton in the best way possible.

Marcus completed his post high-school education at Oklahoma State University. He was able to join the university’s new Minority Engineering Program, which offered co-residing opportunities with other students from underrepresented populations. Marcus earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and met his best friend and love of his life Martina. As an interracial couple they have shared an adventure of identity development, learning, growing, grief, celebration, and reflection.

Marcus and Martina currently reside in O’Fallon, IL where Marcus continues his service with the DoD and Martina works for the Department of Veterans Affairs as a psychologist. In late 2010 Marcus and Martina grew their family and welcomed home Mihret and Tsion who were then 2 and 5 years old. Mihret is now preparing to enter the 9^th grade while Tsion will be going into the 6^th grade. It is in this latest chapter as a partner parent where Marcus has found new challenges, new opportunities for growth, and a deeper sense of respect for his own personal and ethnic history.  In his leisure time Marcus enjoys movies, family activities, the outdoors, and amateur astronomy.