Heather Schultz Gittens reflects on a childhood shaped by adoption, the loss of her mother, and years of uncertainty about her identity and belonging. Through motherhood, somatic healing, and connection with fellow adoptees, she has found new ways to understand her past and support others on their own journeys.

Growing up in a predominantly white community, Emily Flynn spent years without the language to articulate what it meant to feel different. Her journey toward embracing her Korean identity, reconnecting with her birth family, and finding community has shaped her commitment to helping other adoptees feel less alone.

After returning to Korea and meeting her birth mother, Alisha Bennett began a journey of reclaiming her Korean identity and confronting the grief that had long gone unacknowledged. Her experiences as a Korean adoptee now inform her work as a therapist and her commitment to supporting others in the adoptee community.

After discovering her adoption file as a teenager, Marissa Martin began a lifelong journey to understand her Korean heritage and the circumstances of her adoption. Her story explores reunion, belonging, and the complicated process of embracing an identity she hopes one day to simply call Korean American.

After returning to Korea and reconnecting with both her early memories and biological family, Hollee McGinnis began exploring the complex intersections of adoption, identity, and belonging. Her work as a scholar and community organizer focuses on preserving these histories and building support for intercountry adoptees and future generations.

A discovery about her adoption records changed Tanya Kaanta’s understanding of her own story and set her on a long journey toward understanding her identity. Today, she combines her experience as a transracial adoptee and social worker to support others through heritage travel and community building.

Through art and personal reflection, Youngsun explores the complexities of adoption, identity, and grief. Their story highlights the importance of self-compassion, honoring one's emotions, and finding healing on one's own terms.

Growing up as a Korean adoptee, Adam Goodman reflects on identity, belonging, and the emotional complexities of adoption. Today, he is dedicated to building community and mentoring the next generation of adoptees as they navigate their own journeys.

After growing up in rural Michigan, Abby Smith began exploring her identity as a Korean adoptee after moving to New York City. She reflects on finding community, embracing her heritage, and preparing for her first trip to Korea.

As a comedian and writer, Edward Pokropski uses storytelling to examine identity, adoption, and what it means to feel truly seen. His journey reflects the power of humor to foster understanding and build community.