East Coast Trip - January 2014

January East Coast Trip:  On 1/25/14 Closure at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (part of the New York Public Library) in Harlem.  The evening was unforgettable.  A discussion panel afterwards consisted of Angela, Susan Harris O'Connor, and April Dinwoodie - all transracial adoptees.  The audience was truly in for a treat to hear from these incredibly articulate, strong Black women.  They handled audience questions with poise, and some audience members poured their hearts out to all.  As I sat back observing and taking pictures, I was reminded of something that has been true at each screening we've had.  After people see Closure, they are compelled to share, and to connect.  It's nothing I did as the filmmaker, but it's the story.  Some stories can evoke responses out of people who may have been silent otherwise, and that's powerful.  One birth mother who attended wrote a blog post about her experience at the screening, which I've linked HERE.  To quote her:

“This movie was a reminder of the power in using my voice to tell my story.”

Wow.

The next night, we screened at Swarthmore College, just outside of Philadelphia, PA.  Many wonderful people took part in the planning of this event, and we thank Open Arms Adoption for playing a huge role in making that night possible.  For me, our East Coast trip could be summed up by the following revelation: Nothing is more powerful than telling your story, and listening to others tell theirs.       

So many themes came out during the film, #adoption #race #birthmoms #birthdads #depression #healing, etc. #Closure #Schomburg

— Fostering Change (@FosteringChange) January 26, 2014

Love bonds but Blood is thicker than water. Emotionally spent after watching @ClosureFilm at the @SchomburgCenter

— Julie Young 지 현 (@biggirlvoice) January 26, 2014

.@ClosureFilm talk w/ @juneinapril @angieadoptee @HarrisNarrative: shame, supp birth moms, adoptive parents of color, transracial #adoption

— Ysette Guevara (@YsetteGuevara) January 26, 2014

April Dinwoodie, Angela Tucker, and Susan Harris O'Connor on the panel at the Schomburg Center in Harlem, NYC. 

Our generous hosts for the Swarthmore, PA screening. 

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For adoptees still searching for the first/birth families. 

Visit our SCREENINGS page to see where we'll be playing next.  Finally, here are some of our recent mentions/publications:

Slate: When White Parents Adopt Black Children by Aisha Harris

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption:  Guest Post by Angela Tucker

We Are the 15 Percent Campaign: Bryan & Angela - Seattle, WA