# Back to School, Back to Truth: Conversations on Race, Adoption & Journalism with Ahna Fleming and Libby Hobbs

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/born-in-june-raised-in-april-what-adoption-can-teach-the-world-5808/back-to-school-back-to-truth-conversations-on-race-adoption-journalism-with-ahna-fleming-and-libby-hobbs
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/born-in-june-raised-in-april-what-adoption-can-teach-the-world-5808/back-to-school-back-to-truth-conversations-on-race-adoption-journalism-with-ahna-fleming-and-libby-hobbs.md
Podcast: [Born In June Raised In April: What Adoption Can Teach the World](https://stenobird.com/podcast/born-in-june-raised-in-april-what-adoption-can-teach-the-world-5808)
Published: 2025-08-22T12:02:00+00:00
Episode link: https://juneinapril.libsyn.com/back-to-school-back-to-truth-conversations-on-race-adoption-journalism-with-ahna-fleeming-and-libby-hobbs
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/juneinapril/Aug2025_Ahna__LIbby_c3.mp3?dest-id=356279
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/born-in-june-raised-in-april-what-adoption-can-teach-the-world-5808/episodes/back-to-school-back-to-truth-conversations-on-race-adoption-journalism-with-ahna-fleming-and-libby-hobbs
Duration seconds: 2882

## Resource

This August, as we embrace the "Back to School" season of Continued Learning & Growth, I welcome two incredible young journalists, Ahna Fleeming and Libby Hobbs, for a conversation rooted in truth-telling, identity, and resilience. After a painful racial slur was used toward me during a public process in my own town, I was searching for connection and healing. Around the same time, I read Ahna's powerful New York Times article about a similar experience of being targeted by the very same word. When I reached out to her, she introduced me to her friend Libby, whose journey as a transracially adopted person born in China resonated deeply with both of our experiences. Together, we explore: How family, race, and adoption shape identity Navigating racial harassment and finding our voices The role of journalism in truth-telling and social change The urgency of honest conversations in today's climate This episode is a reminder that our hardest moments can also be invitations to keep learning, keep growing, and keep finding ways to belong. Show Notes & Links Referenced Articles: Ahna Fleeming's New York Times piece: "The Generations of Pain I Felt in One Racist Moment" Steve Ahlquist's reporting on my experience: "A Racial Slur Exposes the Deep Divisions in Westerly" Connect with our Guests: Ahna Fleeming Instagram: @ahnafleming LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ahna-fleming Libby Hobbs Instagram: @libbyxhobbs LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/elizabethxhobbs Follow & Connect with April: Website: www.juneinapril.com Social: @juneinapril (all platforms) YouTube: @AprilDinwoodie

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