Celebrating Culture Party

An article written by Dionne Draper.

‘Thanks for getting us all together Dionne, it was pure vibes’

DAWTA’s Celebrating Culture event was created to bring transracial adoptees together – though I did get a couple of birthday cards! But, for numbers to grow we needed to socialise without pressure, so I contacted Deasy Bamford to see if Diverse Artists Network (DAN) could support. They said YES!!

Guests arrived in a room lit with garlands of fairy lights and handcrafted star lanterns by Dee Moxon. 

And Richard, Mike and Mikey, grounded the room with a djembe drum call. Poetry readings by transracial adoptees, Jules and Louise moved some to tears. I followed inviting our guests to sing their hearts out to my girl power anthem, ‘We Rise’ – they didn’t need much encouragement. Later, DJ Blackwax Solutions’ got us dancing to his eclectic mix of house and salsa, whilst Richard took us even higher playing live congas. We had ourselves a PARTY!

Thanks to funding from DAN and Quartet Community Foundation, mentorship from Jean Smith and Nilaari, DAWTA TRA’s and guests, there was a 100% increase in participation by transracial adoptees.

Feedback included:

“Fab evening, thank you for encouraging me to read my poetry.”

“Something so beautiful was created last night.”

Thanks for getting us all together Dionne, it was pure vibes

I’m hopeful that this is the first of many Celebrating Culture events that nurture fledgling networks.

Thanks DAN. We did that! 

Dionne x

 If you are a transracial adoptee or fostered adult and would like to join our online and in-person meet-up group contact dionne@singwithsoul.com.