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The Gender & LGBTQIA Center, in partnership with the ���ϲ����� LGBTQIA Alumni Network, invites the ���ϲ����� community to a heartfelt evening celebrating alumni, storytelling and the beauty of diverse families. The event, “We Love You ForAva: Alumni Book Celebration,” will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 6 to 7 p.m. EST in McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center.

This special program honors Jeffrey Williamson-Rose ’13 G’14 and his spouse Corddarryl Williamson-Rose, co-authors of the moving children’s book “We Love You ForAva.” Through their story, the couple highlights the joy, love and challenges of LGBTQIA family-building, centering their own experiences as adoptive parents. The event will feature a moderated discussion, readings, and reflections on inclusive storytelling and representation in children’s literature.

Serving as moderator for the evening will be Annette Orbert ’90, a proud ���ϲ����� alumna and advocate for inclusion. Orbert will guide a conversation that explores how stories like “We Love You ForAva” not only affirm diverse families but also expand understanding of what it means to build community, belonging and love beyond traditional narratives.

The event will also feature insights from the Carolina Adoption Center, which works to create more equitable pathways for adoption. Attendees will learn about the ongoing need for supportive, loving adoptive families—especially within the LGBTQIA community—and the ways that storytelling can inspire visibility and change.

“This event is more than a book celebration, it’s a celebration of love and family,” said Luis Garay, director of the Gender & LGBTQIA Center. “We’re thrilled to highlight Jeffrey and Corddarryl’s work and to bring attention to the power of inclusive narratives that reflect the lives of so many in our community.”

The evening promises to be both inspiring and educational, offering opportunities for dialogue, connection and celebration. Whether you are an alum, student, faculty member, or community friend, you are invited to join this affirming space honoring the stories that bring us together.

Event Details

• Tuesday, November 4, 2025
• 6 to 7 p.m. EST
• McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center, ���ϲ�����
• Featuring: Jeffrey Williamson-Rose ’13 G’14, Corddarryl Williamson-Rose and moderator Annette Orbert ’90
• Partners: Gender & LGBTQIA Center, the ���ϲ����� LGBTQIA Alumni Network, the Carolina Adoption Center, Carol Grotnes Belk Library and ���ϲ����� Campus Bookstore

 For questions or accommodations, please contact Luis Garay (lgaray@elon.edu) or La’Tonya Wiley (lwiley2@elon.edu).

Come celebrate the power of love, family, and storytelling alongside incredible alumni who remind us that every family’s story deserves to be told.