12pm - 1pm

How to Build Schedule Blocks

C. Doe

2016 Mobile Ad Summit
Fri
, 
Oct 
20
 – 
Sun
, 
Oct 
22
Ticket Sales Are Closed
Text goes here
X

Clean

and Simple

Clear your calendar - It's going down! Text Blocks kicks off on May 20th, and you're invited to take part in the festivities. Splash HQ (122 W 26th St) is our meeting spot for a night of fun and excitement. Come one, come all, bring a guest, and hang loose. This is going to be epic!

Ready

To Go

Clear your calendar - It's going down! Text Blocks kicks off on June 24th, and you're invited to take part in the festivities. Splash HQ (122 W 26th St) is our meeting spot for a night of fun and excitement. Come one, come all, bring a guest, and hang loose. This is going to be epic!

Speaker Name

Job Title

Company Name

Ticket Sales Are Closed
Text goes here
X

AKA-SF 20th Anniversary & IKAA Annual Convention 2017

Friday
, 
October 
20
 - 
Sunday
, 
October 
22
Ticket Sales Are Closed
Text goes here
X
Schedule
Sessions
Registration
Hotel
Donate
About AKA-SF & IKAA
FAQs

Celebrating the Future By Honoring Our Past

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!


Registration ends Oct5th. There are no walk-ins for this conference.

Email AKASF20@aka-sf.org with any questions and feedback.

Schedule of Events

Day and Time

Event

Location

Friday

6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Welcome Event Social

- Snacks and drinks included

WeWork - Embarcadero Center

Saturday

8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Conference Programming

- Presentations + workshops

- Lunch included

Hotel Kabuki

Saturday

6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Reception and Gala Dinner

- Passed appetizers

- 3-course meal

Hotel Kabuki

Sunday

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Picnic in the Park

- Food and drinks included

- Lawn games and activities

Golden Gate Park

Welcome Social at the WeWork - Embarcadero Center

 

The official conference kicks off Friday in the Embarcadero on San Francisco's waterfront! Enjoy views of the Bay and meet fellow conference attendees. Snacks and drinks provided. 21+ event

Conference Session Descriptions

Birth Family Search with Prof. Keon-Su Lee

Walk through the process of searching for birth family in Korea with Professor Keon-Su Lee, who is known as “Sergeant Lee” by many adopted Koreans. A retired Captain of the Korean National Policy Agency, Prof. Lee will share some of his experiences finding more than 5,600 missing family members.

 

Speaker: Professor and Retired Captain Keon-Su Lee


Adopted, Without Citizenship

Hear the stories, struggles and hopes of adopted Koreans who’ve lived with the consequences of lacking citizenship. They are among 20,000 adopted Koreans whose 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, Donald Bearden, Justin Ki Hong, "SC," and Becky Belcore (moderator) of Adoptee Rights Campaign (ARC)


DNA Testing & Birth Family Reunion

A discussion of DNA testing in the Korean adoptee community and its impact on understanding one's biological history and connecting with relatives. Also, an adopted Korean describes being reunited with her birth family for more than 10 years, and her work with unwed mothers who formed KUMFA.

 

Speakers: Bella Siegel-Dalton (325 KAMRA), Joo Ae Lippe-Klein

 

LGBTQ Panel Discussion

A panel of LGBTQ Korean Adoptees discussing the intersection of culture, gender, and sexual orientation and the impact on the future generations of LGBTQ adoptees.

 

Speakers: Min Matson, Jana Lee, Peter Savasta

 

A Conversation with Poets and Authors

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. Q&A will follow the readings.

 

Speakers: 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)

Somatic Empowerment through Cross-cultural Archetypes

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.


Presenter: Amy Mihyang Ginther

 

Return to Korea

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, Mary O’Donnell (moderator)

 

1st Generation/Hapa KADs panel

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. Many 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, Maria Giannoble Johnson, Tanne Beaudecker, and Bella Siegel-Dalton (moderator)

 

Film Symposium

Viewing and Q&A with featured Korean adoptee filmmakers and subjects, about their experiences across the adoptee continuum.

 
Speakers: Tammy Chu ("Resilience," "Searching for Go-Hyang"), and Min Matson (moderator, "AKA Seoul")

 

KAD Seminar

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.

 

Speakers: Coordinators Molly Cho (moderator), Yong Chan Miller, HyunJu Chappell, Deann Borshay Liem; Dina Buck, Leslie Griep, and Mary Lee

 

Post-Adoption Support & Healing Power of Art

Two Americans adopted from Korea share the uniqueness of the international adoption experience from a mental health perspective. It is a two-part presentation. Part 1 is a discussion about the distinctness, limitations, and possibilities in post-adoption support services while navigating through the personal journey of being adopted from Korea. Part II is an interactive experience that touches on healing through an expressive art process.

 

Part I: Merrily Sadlovsky, MSW, LICSW - Minnesota-based psychotherapist 

Part II: Mele Kramer - Founder of 100,000 Kranes for my Mother (tm), is currently a Doctoral Student studying I/O Psychology at Walden University


IKAA Community Building

IKAA community leaders will share their experiences and advice for building local adoptee communities. This sessions encourages active discussion with the audience members on how to build and strengthen local communities while providing global resources.

 

Speakers: Taneka Jennings (KAtCH, Chicago), Lisa Dahlgren (AKF, Sweden), Tommy Gentzel (AKASF, San Francisco)

 

Parenting as KADs

An informal conversation centering the experiences of KADs who are now parents. Possible themes covered: racial identity development, experiencing birth parenthood, raising multiracial children, navigating retriggered trauma, internalized racial oppression, the challenges of passing on lost history and culture, and deep personal healing and love. KADs who are expecting/considering parenthood, LGBTQ KAD parents, and KADs who are adoptive parents are strongly encouraged to join! Partners (including non-KAD/non-POC) welcome, understanding the workshop will be centered on the KAD parent experience. Childcare will be provided.

 

Workshop Facilitator: Nari Baker

This will be held at Golden Gate Park (same location as picnic), but prior to the start of the picnic.

There will be simultaneous programming of 2 or 3 sessions per time slot.

Schedule subject to changes. The Parenting as KADs session will be held on Sunday

Gala Dinner Highlights

Deann Borshay Liem

ACCLAIMED FILMMAKER

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Professor Keon-Su Lee

Family Search Expert

Featured Speaker

Lee Herrick

2015-17 Fresno Poet Laureate

reading

Amber Field

artist, teacher, healer

music performance

Saturday Conference Sessions

Birth Family Search with Professor Keon-Su Lee

Walk through the process of searching for birth family in Korea with Professor Keon-Su Lee, who is known as “Sergeant Lee” by many adopted Koreans. A retired lieutenant of the Korean National Policy Agency, Prof. Lee will share some of his experiences finding more than 3,700 missing family members.

Adopted, Without Citizenship

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, Donald Bearden, Justin Ki Hong, and Becky Belcore (moderator) of Adoptee Rights Campaign.

DNA Testing & Birth Family Reunion

A session on DNA testing in the Korean adoptee community and its impact on understanding one's biological history and connecting with relatives. Also, adopted Koreans who met their birth families will share their experiences and perspectives.

Speaker: Bella Siegel-Dalton of 325 Kamra; Joo Ae Lippe-Klein

LGBTQ Discussion

A planel of LGBTQ Korean adoptees discussing their intersection of culture, gender, and sexual orientation and the impact on the future generation of LBGTQ adoptees.

Speakers: Jana Lee, Peter Savasta, and Min Matson (moderator)

A Conversation with
Poets And Authors

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)

1st Generation/Hapa KADs

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, Maria Giannoble Johnson, and Bella Siegel-Dalton (moderator)

KAD Seminar

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.

Speakers: Coordinators Molly Cho, Yong Chan Miller, HyunJu Chappell, Deann Borshay Liem; Dina Buck, Leslie Griep, Audrey Lieberworth

Return to Korea

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)

Film Symposium

Viewing and Q&A with featured Korean adoptee filmmakers and subjects about their experiences across the adoptee continuum.

Speakers: Tammy Chu ("Resilience," "Searching for Go-Hyang"), and Min Matson (moderator, "AKA Seoul")

Somatic Empowerment through Archetypes


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

IKAA Community Building

IIKAA organizations from the U.S. and Europe will share ideas to strengthen and support local adoptee community organizations.

Workshop Facilitator: Taneka Hye Wol Jennings, KAtCH and Hana Center; panelist Tommy Gentzel 


Adoptee Mental Health & Healing

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

Speaker Requests

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 vegetarian options).

splash

R. Harrison

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 vegetarian options).

Registration [closed]


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. 

Ticket Sales Are Closed
Text goes here
X

Hotel

Hotel Kabuki

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:

Chelsea Inn

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

Donate

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!

DONATION LINK

 If you have any questions about donations/sponsorship opportunities, please email AKASF20@aka-sf.org

About the Organizations

AKA-SF

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

IKAA

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

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORs

korean adoption services
Text goes here
X
Korea center of san francisco
Text goes here
X
korean american community foundation - san francisco
Text goes here
X
eastbay Mugunghwa lions club
Text goes here
X
me & Korea
Text goes here
X
MU films
Text goes here
X
This event is supported in part by Poets & Writers
Text goes here
X
KAAN: Korean american adoptee adoptive family network
Text goes here
X
kore asian media
Text goes here
X

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Get more info about registration, potential childcare, directions, transportation, accommodations, local attractions, etc.

VIEW OUR FAQ PAGE

#AKASF20

Ticket Sales Are Closed
Text goes here
X
referral link triangle icon
CONTACT THE ORGANIZER
Google   Outlook   iCal   Yahoo
Sorry, ticket sales have closed.