Chicago Beyond hosts maternal health special with MSNBC; announces $3 million in new investments

On Monday, September 22, Chicago Beyond, a national philanthropic organization that addresses systemic inequity by backing solutions led by those closest to the issues, brought together CEO and Founder Liz Dozier, MSNBC’s Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, and actress and Baby Yams founder Tatyana Ali for an in-depth conversation about maternal health in the United States. The conversation, filmed for a Know Your Value special, put a spotlight on the powerful community-based solutions happening in Chicago and around the country.

The taping was followed by a live, in-studio segment on Thursday, September 25, 2025, on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, during which Liz Dozier publicly announced Chicago Beyond’s latest investment in maternal health. Three organizations – Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services in Washington, Jamaa Birth Village in Missouri, and Kindred Space LA in California– will each receive $1 million to continue their work. These organizations are already delivering high-quality, culturally affirming maternal care with measurable results and are proof that when communities lead, families thrive.

“At Chicago Beyond, we are investing in maternal health because we know change is possible — nearly 80% of maternal deaths in this country are preventable, which is unacceptable,” said Liz Dozier, Founder and CEO of Chicago Beyond. “We are deeply grateful to Mika and Know Your Value for partnering with us to elevate this national dialogue and the community-led work making change happen.”

In his opening remarks for Monday’s panel, Governor Pritzker announced the Blueprint for Birth Equity, an expansion on the Birth Equity Initiative championed by him and Lt. Governor Stratton which was signed into law on July 29, 2024. 

The Birth Equity Initiative was a comprehensive legislative effort to reduce maternal and infant mortality, particularly for Black women, by expanding and ensuring coverage for care related to pregnancy, postpartum, newborn services, and community-based providers like doulas and midwives. 

The Blueprint for Birth Equity was created in collaboration with statewide experts, advocates, and community leaders to serve as a roadmap for improving the future of mothers and families in Illinois. It outlines the various roles that the state’s infrastructure plays in providing care before, during, and after pregnancy. These outcomes chart a path forward through four strategic priorities, which serve as a framework for enhancing outcomes for all individuals who give birth in Illinois.

“The Illinois Birth Equity Blueprint is the way forward in maternal health and birth equity. Conceived, written, and published with the input of experts, advocates, community leaders, and providers across the state – this report is a roadmap for unlocking an improved future for Illinois’ mothers and families,” said Governor Pritzker. “Since our first days in office, Lt. Governor Stratton and I have been committed to the same goal: to make Illinois the best state to raise a family. We cannot get there until it is safe and affordable for every mother to do so, and this blueprint outlines the steps to accomplish that.”

“The Birth Equity Initiative is the direct product of our community’s voices. When I convened that first group of Black midwives and doulas, I heard their pain, but I also heard their relentless belief in finding a solution to the maternal mortality crisis – they gave me, and Illinois, hope,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “The Initiative ensures that our definition of a healthy birth is not limited to the delivery room – we are redefining safety during pregnancy, delivery, and the first year postpartum. With the launch of our Birth Equity Blueprint, Illinois is showing the nation how to actually protect families by making maternal healthcare safer and more accessible.” 

Actress and Baby Yams founder Tatyana Ali also joined the panel, revealing her deeply painful birth story and experience with obstetric trauma. The ordeal motivated her to use her platform to shine a light on the urgent need for birth equity. She has become a voice for expecting mothers, testifying before Congress and launching her company Baby Yams, which donates 10% of its profits to organizations and educational institutions committed to Black and Indigenous maternal health.

Jeanine Valrie Logan, Chicago Beyond’s Leader in Residence and Founder of the Chicago South Side Birth Center (CSSBC), was also in attendance and uplifted for her groundbreaking work.

The panel concluded with a surprise announcement from Mika Brzezinski who invited Liz Dozier and Jeanine Valrie Logan with tickets to the 2026 Forbes 30/50 Summit in Abu Dhabi. Known as one of Forbes’ premier events, the 30/50 Summit brings together hundreds of visionaries from both the Forbes 30 Under 30 and 50 Over 50 communities to share ideas and ignite new relationships. 

(Photo Credit: Taylor Dieng, MSNBC)