The Association of Korean Adoptees San Francisco (AKA-SF) invites you to our 20th Anniversary Celebration & International Korean Adoptee Associations (IKAA) Annual Convention 2017. The weekend-long milestone event will be an outstanding opportunity to meet local and international Korean adoptees, engage in unique conference sessions, and explore the beautiful city of San Francisco.
In hosting this conference we focus on:
• Creating connections among adoptees.
• Enhancing awareness of resources and opportunities for adoptees.
• Bringing positive impact to the community through adoptee-led organizations and initiatives.
We are excited to be collaborating with many organizations, artists, and academics to develop this program. Stay tuned for more details on sessions, speakers, and activities! [The final schedule and sessions may be subject to changes prior to October.]
Email AKASF20@aka-sf.org with any questions and feedback.
Hear the stories, struggles and hopes of international adoptees who’ve lived with the consequences of lacking citizenship. At least 20,000 adopted Koreans' citizenships were not secured in their countries of adoption. Learn about efforts to pass the Adoptee Citizenship Act for an estimated 35,000 international adoptees without citizenship in the U.S.
Speakers: Joy Alessi, Kris Larsen, other adoptees impacted by lack of citizenship, and Becky Belcore (moderator) of Adoptee Rights Campaign.
A session on DNA testing in the Korean adoptee community and its impact on understanding one's biological history and connecting with relatives.
Speaker: Bella Siegel-Dalton of 325 Kamra
Nationally acclaimed and emerging Korean adoptee authors read from their creative writing and discuss their writing processes, challenges, and insights. They will also discuss what markers signify Korean adoptee writing across their various genres, including poetry, fiction, memoir, and cookbook writing. A book signing and Q&A will follow the readings.
Speakers: Kim Sunée (national bestseller, Trail of Crumbs), Marci Calabretta Cancio-Bello (Hour of the Ox), SooJin Pate (From Orphan to Adoptee), Jessica Sun Lee (An Ode to the Humans Who’ve Loved and Left Me), Julayne Lee (Not My White Savior, Spring 2018), and Lee Herrick (moderator, Gardening Secrets of the Dead)
During and after the Korean War, children of Korean mothers and American or U.N. soldiers were among the first Korean children to be adopted overseas. They entered the U.S. when immigration laws blocked entry of Asians and grew up during the racially segregated 1950s and '60s. Now, decades later, they are returning to Korea to confront their histories and search for their birth families.
Speakers: Lowell Rojon, Sharon Mellor, and Bella Siegel-Dalton (moderator)
A workshop sharing the outcomes of the KAD Seminar, a study series exploring the intersections of adoption practices, Korean history, and U.S. history. Participants of the S.F. Bay Area-based seminar will share how their personal stories have been illuminated and contextualized through readings and discussions with influential scholars, artists, and activists.
Coordinators: HyunJu Chappell, Molly Cho, Deann Borshay Liem, Yong Chan Miller
A panel discussion with adoptees who have returned to Korea as they share their experiences. The discussion will focus on how visiting or living in Korea has shaped their sense of Korean identity and affected their ongoing relationship with Korea.
Speakers: Anouk Eigenraam, Dana Schlafman, Jennifer Schupp, Jared Utley, and Mary O’Donnell (moderator)
Viewing and Q&A with featured Korean adoptee filmmakers and subjects about their experiences across the adoptee continuum.
Speakers: Deann Borshay Liem ("Memory of Forgotten War," "First Person Plural," "In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee"), Tammy Chu ("Resilience," "Searching for Go-Hyang"), and Min Matson (moderator, "AKA Seoul")
This workshop may be powerful for adoptees of color by expanding healing and empowerment by focusing on the body. You do not need any previous experience, training, or special ability to participate. Exploring archetypes may allow adoptees of color to explore the many dimensions of their identity, and to become inspired by the discovery of new embodied and imaginative possibilities.
Workshop Facilitator: Amy Mihyang Ginther
The presentation explores the importance of having Korean adoption competent professionals in the post-adoption and mental health fields, in order to effectively and respectfully meet the diverse needs of adult Korean adoptees through the understanding of the Korean adoptee experience and the issues related to the complex transcultural, transracial, and adoptee identities of each individual.
Speaker: Merrily Sadlovsky
Thank you to everyone who submitted proposals! We will be in contact with you soon. Due to the high volume of submissions, proposal submission is now closed. If you are interested in speaking, presenting, or facilitating one of the sessions mentioned above, please contact AKASF20@aka-sf.org. Conference presenters receive early registration pricing throughout the entire registration period. Please contact AKASF20@aka-sf.org to request a discount code prior to registration.
Picnic in the Park
On Sunday, we will host a family-friendly picnic in beautiful Golden Gate Park with Connect-A-Kid; School for Korean Adoptees & Families; Korean Center, Inc.; and #akasf20 participants. Join us for lawn activities and games! Food and drinks provided (including BBQ, vegetarian and vegan options).
Tickets are purchased using a credit card payment.
Prices are in USD and are exclusive of fees (5% +$1).
General Ticket includes access to all events, while Dinner Ticket is only for the Gala dinner.
Cancellation and Refunds:
100% refund through Aug 1st, 2017. 50% refund through Sept 4th, 2017.
Refunds will not be accepted after Sept 4th, 2017. Refunds may take up to 60 days to process.
1625 Post Street,
San Francisco, CA 94115
Both the Saturday conference programming and Gala Dinner will be held at the Hotel Kabuki. This is the most convenient accommodation for individuals or groups traveling from outside of the city. The discounted rates expired August 1st, 2017
Additional Hotel Option:
Phone: 415-563-5600
The Chelsea Inn has provided discounted rooms. The rooms are $178 + tax/fees and they are single rooms with double beds. To get this discounted rate please ask for Mr. Eunkil Lee. Note: only 5 rooms available
AKA-SF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with an all-volunteer board. If you wish to make a donation to support this conference, please follow the link below to our conference donation page. We are truly grateful for your generosity and support!
If you have any questions about donations/sponsorship opportunties, please email AKASF20@aka-sf.org
The Association of Korean Adoptees San Francisco (AKA-SF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the S.F. Bay Area serving the greater adoptee community and their families. Our mission is to educate and foster community among San Francisco Bay Area Korean adoptees, their friends and families through cultural and enrichment events, social gatherings, and collaboration with local Korean American groups.
AKA-SF offers monthly events and more:
• Like/follow our Facebook Page for updates and/or
• Sign up for our Email List
Email: info@aka-sf.org
The mission of the International Korean Adoptee Assocations (IKAA) Network is to enrich the global adoption community, promote the sharing of information and resources between adult adoptee associations, strengthen cross-cultural relations, and innovate post-adoption services for the broader international adoptee community.
The IKAA Network reaches out to 15,000+ members of the international adoption community through our member organizations from Europe (Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, France, Italy, Belgium) and the U.S. (California; New York; Washington; Minnesota; Washington, DC; Hawaii; Illinois).
Email: info@ikaa.org
