Baby Yams Is Just Getting Started, but Already Making Moves

As an actor and entertainer, I’ve always seen myself as a craftsperson—someone who loves creating characters and songs, telling meaningful stories and always putting 100% of my heart into what I do. I never thought of myself as a product or a brand and I have always steered clear of anyone who wanted to lean my career in that direction. I know that way of working is antithetical to popular culture, but it's what I've lived my life by. It's how I've always done my work as a performer and it's how I set my sights. I needed my voice and my art to be free so that it could be given in service to what's true and just and beautiful. That ethos has been my North Star.

Now, Baby Yams... Baby Yams is something a little different. Baby Yams IS a brand and I am working hard to grow it properly with the same North Star I've always had in sight. Baby Yams honors what is right, what is just and what is beautiful. Baby Yams honors US- our care, our protection and the beauty of our mamas, our babies and our families. Baby Yams will always celebrate, advocate and support us. And, it is grounded in everything I've learned in Black Maternal Health Advocacy.

Baby Yams is still very young—we’re a tiny, baby company. We’re just getting started. However, even in this early stage, we’ve hit some pretty big milestones that I want to share with you. This mother's day weekend, we were featured in Forbes. It was crazy unexpected and even more confirmation that we’re onto something special.

And, guess what? Our name is finally officially trademarked!!! That might seem small to some, but for me, it’s a huge win. It means we’re serious about protecting what we’re building and setting ourselves up for the long haul. Babeeey! Now we got the paperwork to prove it!?! What?! It’s a small necessary step, but integral to turning this moment into something with lasting power.

There's a secret part of me that's always admired and followed women artists who became entrepreneurs over the years. The ones I've watched are B. Smith, Tyra Banks, Sheila Bridges, Rihanna, Kathy Ireland and Martha Stewart. These women took roads that were so less travelled and defied what others expected of them by so clearly and unapologetically defining themselves and their businesses. They might have been seen one dimensionally, once upon a time, but they broke through whatever barriers were in their way to fully reach their potential. Their impact on the culture is absolutely undeniable. Baby Yams is not there yet, but each little victory gets us one step closer. Most importantly, when this dream reaches its full potential, I pray the maternal health landscape will be drastically changed from our efforts.

By the end of 2025, Baby Yams and its related business dealings will have donated at least $25,000.00 to fund grants and scholarships for the Black and Indigenous birth workers who are the change. And that is all YOU! Thank YOU for your purchases and for your trust in what we're making. This is not only about selling our beautiful products. This is purpose-driven. We’re about empowering our community, and doing business differently.

This whole journey has reaffirmed something I believe strongly: it’s time to reorient how our businesses do business and how they serve the very people they serve. Purpose, values and community must always come first.

Thanks so much for supporting us as we grow.

Here’s to many more milestones ahead!

Wishing you Peace, Joy and Abundance and Love,
Tatyana Ali