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Join KAAN from June 21 – 23 for three days of keynotes, films, presentations, roundtables, performers, exhibits, support forums, and life-changing community. KAAN offers an Adoptee-Only track, as well as sessions for a general audience that are open to all. There are programs for adults aged 18+ and youth aged 8-17. Everyone is welcome, including adoptees, birth families, family members (adoptive parents, spouses/partners, siblings, and children of adoptees), service providers, and Korean Americans. If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at tech@wearekaan.org.

Register now at tfec.org/kaan2024

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KAAN is a Project of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, fiscal sponsor. This permits KAAN to operate as a nonprofit under TFEC’s 501(c)(3) designation. The official registration and financial information of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, at 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. The Foundation for Enhancing Communities is registered in each state requiring such registration for charitable solicitation. Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. Thank you!

Saturday, June 22 • 9:00am - 10:15am
Marrying Into the Motherland: Culture Clash?

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At adoption, we were separated from our country of birth and its culture. What happens when you marry back into it? A panel of adoptees share their experience of marrying someone from their motherland – and the questions, answers, and in-laws that come with that. Is it healing and affirming to be with a spouse and family directly tied to your personal origin, or does it raise problems related to identity and expectations? Does it provide a shared culture or an imposed one that might clash? Explore these issues with us, and bring your own stories!
Speakers
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Michael Mullen

Michael Mullen was orphaned at 2 years old and adopted at 2.5 from Korea, after which he did not meet another Asian person for 14 years. Seeing Koreans in college led him to drop out and become one of the first adoptees to return to and live in Korea. Michael later was president of... Read More →
avatar for A.J. Bryant

A.J. Bryant

A.J., is a transracial adoptee from Kerala, India, and the eldest of three adopted Indian children. Raised in Wisconsin and New Jersey, he has called Washington, D.C. home since 2005. AJ is an adoption writer and speaker, bringing a unique perspective on identity, culture, and family... Read More →
avatar for Melissa Guida Richards

Melissa Guida Richards

Melissa Guida-Richards, is a international and transracial adoptee, an adoption educator, and the author of "What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption." She founded the Adoptee Thoughts Instagram and Podcast to help elevate adoptee voices and educate adoptive parents... Read More →
avatar for Amanda Cho

Amanda Cho

Amanda (Assalone) Cho, PhD, is a Korean American transracial and transnational adoptee in Atlanta who is actively involved in civil rights and advocacy organizations that support communities of color, particularly Asian Americans and Asian American adoptees. She is the Policy Manager... Read More →

Saturday June 22, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am CDT
Rosemont 2: 3rd Floor
  Adoptee-Only Session

Attendees (8)