About Us

Who We Are
The Biracial Family Network (BFN) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation organized to help eliminate prejudice and discrimination by assisting individuals and families of diverse ethnic ancestry to improve the quality of their intercultural relationships via education and social activities. BFN does not tolerate discrimination based on age, color, nationality, race, religion, or sex.

Mission Statement
To establish spaces of comfort and connection among members of multiracial families. To take action against racist and discriminatory practices. To educate people and communities about multiracial experiences.

History
The Biracial Family Network (BFN) was founded in September 1980 by Irene Carr and five other mothers who were the parents of biracial and transracially adopted children. BFN is the oldest nonprofit multi-ethnic family support group of its kind that is still active in the Chicagoland area.The founding purpose of the organization was to strengthen and support interracial /intercultural families and relationships by facilitating communication among persons of diverse ethnic heritages via educational programs, discussions, and newsletters. BFN concentrated its early efforts on locating interracial families of any kind and held monthly meetings to discuss various issues. After its meetings were firmly established, BFN added social events, such as family potlucks, to its lists of activities.

In 1985, BFN developed bylaws, incorporated in the state of Illinois, and became a federally tax-exempt 501(c)(3), a nonprofit organization. Over the years, BFN participated in the 1988 founding of the Association of MultiEthnic Americans and held workshops and conferences. The Association Of MultiEthnic Americans (AMEA) is a nationwide organization of local multiracial/multiethnic groups incorporated as a nonprofit public benefit organization. In 2000, BFN celebrated its 20th Anniversary and held a benefit banquet in downtown Chicago, Illinois. In March 2003, the web site development team, lead by Ted Finger and Lee Christopher, launched BFN's official web site. The completion of this strategic goal helped BFN connect to the global multiracial community for years to come.

Membership
Membership in the BFN is open to all persons who have paid any annual membership dues as established by the Board of Directors (unless waived by the Board) and who are ideologically supportive of interracial/intercultural relationships. All members in good standing shall have the right to vote on any questions put to the general membership, to attend and participate in any general membership meetings, and to receive the organizational newsletter. Membership shall be continual as long as a member meets both dues and descriptive requirements set out above.

Privacy Policy
We never sell or exchange the personal information of our membership to any third parties for profit.