Growing up as an adopted child has taught Joi R. Fisher-Griffin a lot through constructive conversations with other adoptees, adoptive, and birth parents. This background inspires Joi to not only give her best in exploring the topics of children and adoption but gives her unwavering audacity to spark conversation on the topic, provide direction and give hope to adoptees, adoptive and foster families. Pushed by her caring nature, Joi does her best in creating discourses around what people are ashamed of, afraid of, and even embarrassed to talk about. She is an entrepreneur, a creative designer and a former runway model, a fervent author, an educationist, a podcast guest, and currently, a school administrator.
Joi’s advocacy for adoption and the adopted child has challenged her to move out of her comfort zones to train and join high-profile organizations and movements that focus on the topic. For several years, she has done advocacy work with the New Jersey Coalition of Adoption Reform and Education (NJ-CARE). She serves on the Board of Directors for Miriam’s Heart Organization and serves as a research associate at Christian Alliance For Orphans (CAFO). Joi has spoken in three different conferences at Rutgers University on adoption and has been a guest on numerous podcasts on the same. Most notable among the episodes is The BELONG Project – An Adoption Awareness Project that encourages people to cease whispering and hold candid discussions about adoption in the open. Moreover, she has been featured in New Jersey Monthly Magazine and on the National Council for Adoption website.
As a caring parent and an advocate of adoption, Joi has authored a memoir Finding Joi: A True Story of Faith, Family & Love that helps others understand the thoughts of adoptees as she encourages speaking out rather than suffering in silence. Moreover, she has authored two best-selling children's books Choosing Joi: An Adoptee’s Journey and Finding Belonging, andSinging with Joi: There Are Lots of Different Ways to Be a Family, geared towards normalizing adoption conversations. Joi R Fisher-Griffin is a proud mother of three beautiful girls and one granddaughter. She recently married and now has five bonus children and seven grandchildren, making her a part of a fully functional blended family. Joi is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and Phi Delta Kappa Sorority Inc. She enjoys singing, watching television, dancing, and listening to music. She is also passionate about volunteering, writing, researching, and learning about the stock market.
"I was comforted as I kept thinking,You felt that way, too, Joi? As different as our experiences were as relinquished and adopted people, a lot of what we felt was the same. The deep seriousness of this memoir is threaded through with anecdotes that bring both tears and laughter. I am so glad that Joi took the time to chronicle her journal so carefully so that she could share it with us." Pam Hasegawa,Spokesperson,NJ Coalition for Adoption Reform and Education
“Bravo! Joi's honest, moving story of self-discovery, adoption and re-union is a moving, important addition of books by and about the adoption experience written by adopted people themselves. Alison Larkin ,Comedienne Award-winning audio book narrator, and bestselling author ofThe English American, a novel
“Finding Joi is filled with heartfelt questions, everyday situations, and emotions, that shed light on the myriad of challenges adoptees face in searching for answers to our existence. Although the journey of every adoptee is different, the similarities are uncanny; whether male or female, young or old, adoptees knowledge of our birth parents and family history are critical to healing, forgiveness and filling the constant void in our lives. Joi’s story resonated with me on many levels and I am grateful to have connected with her. Regardless of success, accolades, or stature, at the end of the day, all adoptees want to know, “Who Am I Really?” I hope that Joi’s story encourages other adoptees to share their truth and find peace in their discovery.” Damon Davis,Host,“Who Am I... Really?” Podcast
“Joi Fisher's memoir is one of the most insightful books of an adoptee's journey that I have ever read. Joi speaks to her experiences on so many levels that it is a MUST READ for everyone touched by adoption (Adoptees, Adoptive parents, Birth parents, siblings, etc.). I couldn't put it down!” Tom McGee, Co-facilitator Morristown Post Adoption Support Group Adoption Activist, NJCARE (New Jersey Coalition for Adoption Reform)
“I have known Joi for quite a some time but was not aware that she was adopted until a couple of years ago. Through reading her book, I found her story to be rather fascinating. Through her pen, I walked along her journey with her. Her story is one of a compelling complete self-discovery. Not only is it a fascinating read, but there are a plethora of lessons for the non-adopted reader to take away as well.” Principal Baruti Kafele, Educator / Author
“I love reading about adopted people helping each other. Joi's book will help others by passing along so honestly the lessons she's learned.” Penny Callan Partridge, Co-founder in 1973 of Adoption Forum of Philadelphia