At the Intersection of Truth, Race and Identity: Interview with Ned Andree

At the Intersection of Truth, Race and Identity. A Spotlight Interview with Ned Andree, Hosted by Tiana Hawver
Adoptee Advocates of Michigan presents a special, in-depth conversation between two Michigan transracial adoptees, Ned Andree and Tiana Hawver, exploring the intersection of adoptee identity, racial justice, and the urgent realities facing adoptees of color today. Guided by interviewer Tiana Hawver—speaker, writer, and creator of Reconnecting the Dots—Ned reflects on how his experiences as a biracial adoptee have influenced his community advocacy, his commitment to adoptee rights, and his recent traumatic encounter with police in Grand Rapids.

Together, they will examine how race, adoption secrecy, and state-controlled identity access shape the lives of adult adoptees, and why Michigan’s restrictive laws continue to harm the people they were designed to protect. This dialogue offers an intimate look at the emotional, political, and personal stakes for adoptees navigating identity in a polarized climate—particularly those who, like Ned and Tiana, live at the intersection of racial marginalization.

This event will be a meaningful, honest, and necessary conversation for adoptees, birth parents, adoptive parents, and advocates committed to justice and truth in adoption.

AAOM Speaker Series, Presented by the Adoptee Advocates of Michigan (AAOM)
For this special session of the AAOM Speaker Series, transracial adoptee, speaker, writer, and filmmaker Tiana Hawver will step in as host in place of our regular series host, Anna Sarkitova. Tiana brings her lived experience and her work on the documentary Reconnecting the Dots to the role, offering a deep understanding of the racial, emotional, and psychological complexities connected to adoption. She will also serve as an occasional host for future events in the series. As part of AAOM’s ongoing effort to elevate adoptee voices, we are excited to have Tiana lead this important conversation and help carry forward these vital community dialogues.

The AAOM Speaker Series is part of our grassroots fundraising campaign in support of our activism, community building, educational and legislative outreach where we work hard to bring adoptee voices directly to the people, families, and policymakers who need to hear them. As a volunteer-run organization, your support helps us compensate our speakers and sustain these vital conversations within the community.

Whether you are an adoptee, a member of the adoption constellation, or a passionate ally, this series is a great opportunity to stay informed, get inspired, and support the voices that too often go unheard in adoption.

Suggested donation: $10 (or more if you are able)
Get Tickets Here

Can’t donate? Come anyway- your presence matters.
We hope to see you at this important conversation.