Revolutionary Motherhood: Organizing, Advocacy, and Fighting for Families with Tanesha Grant
My conversation with Tanesha Grant was one of those discussions that stays with you long after the microphones are turned off.
From the moment Tanesha Grant begins sharing her story, one thing becomes abundantly clear: her advocacy isn't just work - it's deeply personal. As we dove into her journey from the child welfare system to community leadership, what emerged wasn't just a personal story, but a masterclass in authentic advocacy.
"I have a doctorate in the hood," Tanesha told me with conviction when we discussed credentials versus lived experience.
"I have a doctorate in the community." This perspective—valuing real-world knowledge over traditional education—became a central thread throughout our talk. Where some advocates might separate their personal and professional lives, Tanesha's advocacy is inseparable from her identity.
When I asked about her path to organizing, Tanesha shared how it began with advocating for her own children. Seeing her daughter face the same barriers she had encountered decades earlier, she refused to allow another generation to endure this "generational harm." This led us to discuss what she calls being a "wounded healer"—someone whose trauma becomes a source of insight and empathy.
Our conversation took a fascinating turn when discussing digital equity.
Tanesha described noticing during the pandemic that her daughter in a downtown school received an Apple computer while her son in Harlem got only an iPad. This observation sparked initiatives to ensure marginalized communities weren't left behind. Five years later, as she explained, her organization continues providing full laptops to students, formerly incarcerated individuals, and grandparents.
What I particularly loved about our exchange was Tanesha's refreshing candor about authentic leadership. When she told me about testifying against the child welfare system at the United Nations "with a dashiki and Pumas," I couldn't help but smile. In that moment, she wasn't just describing a fashion choice - she was challenging the very notion that credibility requires conformity.
One of the most moving parts of our discussion was when Tanesha reflected on family. Having grown up separated from her biological relatives, she told me simply: "The community is my family." This philosophy transforms her advocacy from service into kinship - explaining her continued presence when many organizations that formed in 2020 have since disappeared.
When we talked about how people can get involved, Tanesha was equally direct: "Come be in the community," she urged. Throughout our conversation, she emphasized that engagement doesn't just mean financial contributions but physical presence - attending rallies, writing to elected officials, joining digital meetings, or simply helping set up for events.
We can all learn something from Tanesha's wisdom about sustainability in difficult work.
"You have to take time to feel the emotions and get through it and then get back on your square," she shared. In a culture that often celebrates burnout as dedication, her insistence that self-preservation is strategic rather than selfish felt like permission many activists need to hear.
As we wrapped up our conversation, I found myself inspired by Tanesha’s uncompromising authenticity and deep care for both community and self. For anyone feeling overwhelmed by current events, our discussion offers both challenge and hope: your presence matters more than your perfection, and sustainable change requires caring for yourself while fighting for others.
Connect & Learn More
Here’s how you can connect with Tanesha’s work:
Website: pspnyinc.org
Social: Find Parent Supporting Parents NY on Facebook, Instagram and X
Support: Patreon - Parent Supporting Parents New York
Personal: Follow Tanesha on Instagram or X
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