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Every February, we pause to honor Black History Month—a time to celebrate the contributions, resilience, and rich heritage of Black Americans. For foster, adoptive, and kinship families raising Black children, this month offers a meaningful opportunity to deepen conversations about identity, culture, and belonging.
But here’s what we know: supporting a Black child’s racial and cultural identity can’t be limited to 28 days. It’s not a monthly focus—it’s a daily commitment, woven into the fabric of family life, community connections, and the messages children absorb about who they are and where they belong.
Why Identity Support Matters
For Black children in foster care, adoption, or kinship placements—especially those in transracial families—racial identity development isn’t just important. It’s essential to their well-being, sense of self, and ability to navigate a world that will see and respond to their race before knowing anything else about them.
Research consistently shows that children who have a strong, positive racial identity demonstrate:
- Higher self-esteem and confidence
- Better mental health outcomes
- Stronger resilience against discrimination
- Greater overall well-being
When caregivers actively support racial identity, they’re not just acknowledging a child’s background—they’re giving them tools for life.
What Does Year-Round Support Actually Look Like?
1. Make Race Part of Everyday Conversation
You don’t need to wait for “teaching moments” or difficult situations. Notice and celebrate differences in skin tones, hair textures, and facial features from day one. Make it normal to talk about race the same way you’d talk about anything else that makes us wonderfully different.
Try this: When reading books together, point out characters’ appearances. “Look at her beautiful brown skin!” or “His hair is so curly and thick, just like yours!” These small affirmations build a foundation.
2. Surround Your Child with Mirrors and Windows
Children need “mirrors”—people who look like them—and “windows”—glimpses into experiences and communities they’re part of. This means:
- Building genuine relationships (not just acquaintanceships) with Black adults who can serve as mentors and role models
- Choosing schools, activities, and places of worship where your child isn’t the only Black face
- Filling your home with books, toys, art, and media that reflect Black joy, excellence, and everyday life
- Connecting with other families raising Black children
3. Do Your Own Work
Here’s an uncomfortable truth: if you’re a non-Black caregiver raising a Black child, your comfort level with talking about race matters. Your child will learn from what you say—and what you avoid saying.
This means:
- Examining your own biases and assumptions about race
- Educating yourself about Black history, culture, and current experiences (without making the child in your care a teacher)
- Learning about Black hair care, skin care, and health considerations
- Understanding how racism operates in systems the child in your care will encounter
4. Prepare Them for the World They’ll Navigate
Black children—even young ones—need age-appropriate conversations about the realities of racism. This isn’t about scaring them; it’s about equipping them with knowledge, language, and strategies.
As they grow, they need to know:
- That racism exists, and it’s wrong
- That nothing about being Black is negative—racism is the problem, not their identity
- How to respond to racist comments or treatment
- That you’re a safe person to talk to about these experiences
5. Celebrate Black Culture Beyond February
Juneteenth, Kwanzaa, and local cultural festivals aren’t supplementary activities—they’re opportunities to engage with the richness of Black heritage. Attend events, learn traditions, and build connections within Black communities.
But also remember: Black culture isn’t monolithic. A child’s specific heritage (Nigerian, Jamaican, African American, etc.) matters. Learn about and honor the particular cultural traditions relevant to your child’s background.
What Transracial Families Tell Us
We’ve heard from many transracial families over the years. The ones who navigate this well share common practices:
- They started identity conversations early and kept them going
- They built authentic relationships within Black communities
- They stayed humble, stayed learning, and stayed committed when things got uncomfortable
- They listened to Black voices—especially adult transracial adoptees who could share what they wished their families had known
One foster parent told us: “I thought love would be enough. I learned that love means doing the hard work of helping my son stay connected to his culture and preparing him for experiences I’ll never have.”
Resources to Support Your Journey
Supporting a Black child’s racial identity is a lifelong commitment, and you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our Transracial Parenting Virtual Resource Kit brings together:
- Expert-led webinars from our Champion Classrooms library
- Practical tip sheets on honoring racial and cultural identity
- The complete Transracial Parenting Series
- Recommended books and resources
- Guidance for difficult conversations
We also encourage you to:
- Connect with other transracial families through our support networks
- Attend our ongoing trainings on cultural competency and identity development
- Reach out when you have questions—that’s what we’re here for
Moving Forward
We invite you to keep compassion in mind as you parent or care for a child of a race other than your own. Please know that none of us gets this perfectly right, but to the ongoing, intentional work of helping Black children know they are seen, celebrated, and equipped for the fullness of who they are.
Your child’s racial identity isn’t a problem to solve or a challenge to overcome. It’s a core part of who they are—something to nurture, honor, and celebrate. Not just in February, but every single day.
The work continues. The conversations continue. And the love—the real, committed, identity-affirming love—continues too.
The Coalition for Children, Youth & Families supports foster, adoptive, and kinship families across Wisconsin. For more resources on transracial parenting, cultural identity, and trauma-informed caregiving, visit coalitionforcyf.org or sign up for our weekly Coalition Connection newsletter.