Tatyana Ali advocates for Black and Indigenous maternal health
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Actor Tatyana Ali is speaking out about systemic racism in maternity care after experiencing what she calls “obstetric violence” during the birth of her son in 2016.
Ali recounts how hospital staff ignored her birth plan and physically restrained her, ultimately performing a rarely used emergency procedure. She now advocates for improved maternal health outcomes for Black and Indigenous mothers, believing her experience is not unique.
Ali founded Baby Yams, a business that funds grants for Black and Indigenous birth workers and students through the Birth Future Foundation. She shares her story to raise awareness of the high rates of maternal mortality among Black women in the United States, more than three times higher than those for white women, and the lack of access to care in many communities. The US has a higher maternal death rate than other wealthy nations, with 649 deaths in 2024.
Healthcare professionals like Dr. Tamika Auguste at MedStar Washington Hospital Center acknowledge the problem of bias in medical care and the need for more inclusive practices. Auguste’s hospital, like many others, has faced financial pressures leading to the closure of maternity units, creating “maternity care deserts” where access to services is limited. Advocates are calling for policies to support midwives and doulas, who can provide crucial care, especially in under-resourced areas.
Ali believes that with increased support for birth workers and a focus on patient empowerment, better outcomes are possible for all mothers.
