Empowering students with language-based learning differences
Siena DEIB Event
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An Evening with Siena
Transracial Adoption: A Conversation about Parenthood and Family When Love, Race, and Identity Intersect
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 6:30pm | Zoom*
Webinar (Followed by Q & A)
Transracial adoption is a story of love and connection – but also of identity, race, and belonging. Siena invites you to join DEIB Director Samantha Fletcher and special guest panelists for stories and conversation exploring complexities via first-person, lived experience and professional expertise.
We are very happy to welcome Siena alumni parent Beverly Clarke (The Barker Adoption Foundation) and transracial adoptee Christopher Brown (Brewster Academy) as they discuss the opportunities and challenges of raising and supporting children across racial and cultural lines, offering insight for parents, educators and community members seeking to foster inclusive and affirming environments.
- Siena alumni parent Beverly Clarke is the Senior Director of Clinical & Support Services at The Barker Adoption Foundation in Bethesda, Maryland. She is responsible for managing, developing, implementing, and providing oversight and quality assurance for the clinical aspects of the work provided by the agency’s adoption and support programs. Beverly has more than 21 years of experience as a social worker and clinician, with many of those years focusing on children and families. An adoptive parent herself, Ms. Clarke brings both a personal and professional understanding of the adoption process as well as a passion for supporting families and achieving permanency for children. Ms. Clarke has also written a blog post for Siena about adoption: read the post here.
- Christopher Brown, Dean of DEIB and Instructional Support Faculty at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, has previously worked as an Academic Support teacher, Diversity Coordinator, coach, and advisor at Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, Massachusetts, and most recently served in admissions, diversity, and outreach roles at Marin Academy in San Raphael, California. A New Hampshire native, Mr. Brown is a transracial adoptee, having been adopted by white parents, and he will share his story to impact the narrative on transracial adoption.
Did you know? Data shows that 40% of adoptions in the US are transracial. Chances are that you know someone in this community. Join us for this timely conversation to listen, learn, and connect.
*Note: In order to receive the webinar link, you must register for the event.
Heritage Month Blog Posts
Did you know that The Siena School's blog regularly highlights important heritage months with spotlights on key people, reading and podcast recommendations, and more? Visit our blog to learn more:
Past Events
On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, Siena's Samantha Fletcher welcomed special guests Jamila Zahra Felton and Erica Thompson for a Zoom conversation about The Green Book, its historical legacy, and contemporary relevance.
On October 8, 2024, Siena's Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement Samantha Fletcher welcomed Naomi Peña, Co-Founder and Director of Community & Family Engagement, Literacy Academy Collective. Peña shared her experiences and insights on dyslexia and the Hispanic/Latino community, what all educators and parents should know, and her journey to becoming a founder of a groundbreaking public school for struggling readers partnering with NYC public schools.