Overview:Tatyana Ali Champions Black Maternal Health at Dallas’ Black Moms Fair
In this exclusive Dallas Weekly interview, actress and maternal health advocate Tatyana Ali opens up about her personal birth experiences, the inspiration behind her new brand Baby Yams, and her mission to uplift and protect Black mothers through community care and entrepreneurship. As she prepares to keynote the Black Moms Fair in Dallas, Ali shares why events like this are vital spaces for healing, connection, and change.
This Saturday, July 26, South Dallas will host an event rooted in healing, advocacy, and joy: The Black Moms Fair — a one-day gathering created to uplift, resource, and celebrate Black mothers and families. Hosted by The Mtoto Agency, the fair centers community care, wellness, and maternal equity. Among the headlining voices is Tatyana Ali, the beloved actress turned advocate, who will join attendees for a keynote fireside conversation and the debut of her maternal wellness brand, Baby Yams.
Ahead of her appearance, Dallas Weekly sat down with Ali to talk about her journey into advocacy, her own experience with childbirth trauma, and why Dallas is the perfect place to gather, heal, and build something lasting.
The Most Urgent Conversation: Building Safe, Connected Communities
When asked what conversation around Black motherhood needs the most attention right now, Ali emphasized that it’s not just one — it’s many. From the economics of parenting to mental health, doula access, and birth trauma, the issues are layered and deeply connected. But the foundation, she says, is community.
“There are so many things we need to talk about — Black maternal mental health, black maternal health, midwives, doulas, birth partners — but none of those conversations can happen unless we first come together,” Ali said. “This event is going to do exactly that.”
For Ali, connection isn’t a soft ideal — it’s a life-saving structure. Too often, she notes, modern systems isolate mothers and erase the collective wisdom and support that have long sustained Black families. Events like The Black Moms Fair are vital because they bring that village back into focus.
From Personal Trauma to Public Advocacy
Ali’s passion for maternal health didn’t begin in theory — it was born from lived experience. Her first birth was traumatic, and she and her son survived only by what she calls “the grace of God.” The aftermath led her to deeper research and eventually, to advocacy.
“When I became pregnant again, I knew I needed something different,” she shared. “That’s when I found a Black midwife named Rashalala. She cared for me in a way that was transformative — not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.”
This care inspired a sense of possibility — and a new sense of responsibility. Ali realized that when culturally competent birth workers are empowered and supported, families thrive. And yet, the number of Black midwives and doulas remains disproportionately low. That realization led to her newest mission: Baby Yams.
Baby Yams: Merging Creativity with Care
On Saturday, attendees will not only hear from Ali, they’ll get a first look at her latest project — Baby Yams, a line of handmade baby blankets inspired by her own healing journey. But Baby Yams is more than a product. It’s a movement rooted in maternal wellness, ancestral care, and community reinvestment.
“I made a baby quilt during my second pregnancy and filled it with blessings and wishes for my son. That quilt represented hope and healing for me,” Ali explained. “People kept complimenting it, and I realized I could use my creativity to support the midwives and doulas doing this work every day.”
Proceeds from Baby Yams go toward scholarships and grants for Black birth workers — helping ensure more Black families have access to safe, affirming care. Ali sees it as her way to break the cycle of traumatic birth stories and make maternal safety a standard, not a privilege.
A Safe Space for Healing, Joy & New Beginnings
As the interview wrapped, Ali lit up when asked what she hopes families will take away from Saturday’s event.
“This event is about loving on you,” she said with a smile. “Come as you are. Engage. If you’ve been feeling isolated, this is your space to meet people and start building that village.”
She hopes Black mothers who feel overwhelmed, overlooked, or disconnected will find new resources, new relationships, and a renewed sense of belonging.
“The magic happens when we all step foot in the same place — when we come together, we remember just how much power and love we already have.”
Join the Movement This Saturday
The Black Moms Fair takes place Saturday, July 26, from 9 AM to 4 PM at Concord Church, 6808 Pastor Bailey Dr., Dallas, TX. Expect a full day of panel discussions, wellness sessions, Black-owned vendors, on-site childcare, and powerful conversations — including the keynote fireside chat with Tatyana Ali.
Get your tickets: www.blackmomsfair.com
Follow along: @theblackmomsfair | @themtotoagency
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