The Anna Jinja Show
The Anna Jinja show focuses on the stories, issues, and questions connected to adoption and foster care experiences.
The host is an international adoptee with biological roots in Korea and adopted roots in the United States. As you can imagine, her journey and experiences as a transracial adoptee are multifaceted. Her experiences have been with the pain of discrimination and rejection as well as the joys of self-discovery and learning to embrace all aspects of her identity.
Along the way, she has discovered that she is not alone. We’re all – in some ways – adopted into or out of homes, cultures, communities, and relationships as we grow and evolve. This show illuminates the theme of adoption, in all ways, in our lives. And how those experiences create who we are and who we are yet to be.
Her hope is that through engaging with the guests and creative content, we are welcomed home in this world, cradled in the belief that we belong, that we are worthy, and that we are loved.
So stay tuned, and you may discover your own adoption story.
The Anna Jinja Show
Saily Bah & Neva Alden
When an 11-Year-Old's Courage Inspires a Country Song This episode will restore your faith in the next generation!
Her story begins with heartbreak. When Saily was just 11, she experienced two consecutive days of racist bullying at her Des Moines school. A group of boys said things so hurtful that she broke down. Her mother, Rohey, received a call from the principal. Both mother and daughter were heartbroken. But what happened next is remarkable.
From pain to purpose With the support of her family, Saily wrote a speech processing her feelings. Then came illustrations. Then, despite her initial resistance ("I'm 11. I'm not going to write a book"), she created "Rise mindfulness and finding their voice.
A song inspired by courage In our latest episode, recorded in my home state of Iowa at KHRY studio, I did something special. I introduced Saily to 18-year-old country musician Neva Alden and asked Neva to write an original song inspired by Saily's story. Neva read the book over 20 times. The result? "She Spoke Anyway"—a haunting ballad that Neva performed live in our studio: "She wasn't made for silence. She wasn't built to break. Turned every wound into something she could make."
This episode features a powerful intergenerational conversation:
Saily sharing how she continues to face backlash for speaking up
Her mother Rohey (who immigrated from Gambia, West Africa) processing her own childhood experiences with discrimination
Her grandmother Tracy reflecting on raising a Black daughter and granddaughter in Iowa
Neva opening up about being "different" in high school The wisdom these young women share will stay with you. As Neva says: "She was literally 11 years old when she wrote a book and decided, oh, I'm going to make a difference. It should be a sign for people not to just give up."
Why this matters Saily's message isn't just for children facing bullying. It's for all of us:
- Anyone who's ever felt too small to make a difference Parents supporting children through difficult experiences
- People who've responded to others' success with jealousy
- Anyone needing a reminder that our voices matter
As Saily beautifully puts it: "There will always be someone trying to bring you down... But the thing that I always tell people is that you need to use your voice because you have a strong, powerful voice."
This episode will make you cry, inspire you, and remind you why young people are often our greatest teachers. And if you know a young person who needs to hear this message—or an adult who does—please share this with them.
P.S. Saily Bah's book "Rise Above: How to Turn a Negative Situation into a Positive One" is available on Amazon. It's a powerful resource for any young person navigating challenges—and for the adults supporting them.