A Moment of Impact on MSNBC’s Velshi hosted by Charles Coleman: Standing Together for Our Families

This post is a tonal shift from my usual posts. But there is so much happening right now that affects so many who I know read this blog. So... I'm going to go there.

Last week, I received a call — an invitation to appear on MSNBC’s Velshi with Charles Coleman. It was a moment that felt especially urgent. I was paired with the incredible Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, a fierce and unwavering leader in the fight for health equity and maternal justice. She was one of my first mentors in my journey advocating for Black maternal health.

Dr. Crear-Perry was generous enough to proofread my very first op-ed, published in Essence six years ago, which marked the beginning of my outfacing work in this area. She’s held my hand through some of the most painful and eye-opening realizations I’ve faced — especially when I needed to understand the medical details of my first birth experience. It was her listening ear that helped me come to terms with what I experienced. Telling her my whole story and acknowledging the truth of the violence we experienced was a pivotal moment for me.

Her work in legislation and policy-making is unmatched. She’s a fearless advocate for the most vulnerable birthing people — fighting every day to ensure that every person has access to respectful, equitable care. Dr. Crear-Perry founded and leads the National Birth Equity Collaborative, dedicated to transforming systems and pushing for justice on a national scale.

This moment underscores how crucial this work is — amid the ongoing threats of cuts to health care, SNAP, and WIC benefits that threaten to devastate families across the country. These aren’t just policies — they’re real lives, real futures, and real struggles faced daily by many of our community members.

During the interview, I emphasized how essential it is for us to take care of each other. Because, honestly, no government system failure can erode the strength, love, and resilience we build within our communities. Dr. Crear-Perry reminded viewers that we have to believe when people show us and tell us who they are, power is not interested in our well-being. But guess what? We can’t let that stop us. We have to keep fighting, keep speaking the truth, and keep ministering to one another.

Our host, Charles Coleman spoke about the power of perseverance and the inevitability of our success. No matter how harsh the road, our love and humanity is undeniable. We stand ten toes down in solidarity and care for one another.

Yam House Diaries community and Baby Yams was built with the belief that we have everything we need, if we look to one another for support. We are part of a movement to uplift families, support birthworkers, share our community stories, and advocate for policies and leadership that truly serve us. Whether through sharing our experiences, advocating for change, or simply standing in solidarity — together, we can push forward.

I'll be opening the floor on my personal socials and Baby Yam's socials — for us to share thoughts, feelings, and stories. This could be a collective space for us to reflect and stand united. My mom taught my sisters and me that there is strength in numbers and I know we are many. Stay strong. Stay connected.

With love,
Tatyana