We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Daphne Yuan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Daphne thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?
My parents have been very influential on shaping what a fulfilling and successful life means to me. Like many other immigrants, they came to the United States with very little, to pursue their passions and to build a better life. While my parents are extremely hard working, they didn’t always take the most “lucrative” path – they were very intentional about choosing a lifestyle that aligned with their values and how they wanted to contribute to the world. They understood the importance of both leaning into and serving the community, and the interconnectedness between all people, no matter how different we may seem. My sister and I grew up spending weekends at the local library (our favorite place in the world), participating in the children’s programs and checking out as many books as we could fit in our tote bags. As soon as we were old enough, my mother signed us up to be volunteers for the same programs we participated in. When Jehovah’s Witness missionaries knocked on our doors in the middle of a snowstorm, my Buddhist father would invite them in for a chance to warm up with some hot chocolate . Through these experiences and choices, they redefined what “the American dream” means to me. Success isn’t necessarily limited to material wealth; it’s also about your capacity for compassion, ability to help others, and foster connection. It’s strongly influenced my mentality against hustle culture and my belief that no one is self-made. At the end of the day, we are the sum of those we surround ourselves with and it’s more important to lead a caring life.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My journey to becoming a content creator started with punk. My obsession with punk as a teen and the concept of “art as a form of rebellion” led me to learning about Dadaism. Not only was I intrigued by the way it blended literary and visual arts, I was also inspired by the way a single piece of imagery that was meant to be intrinsically meaningless could offer new perspectives on social or political issues . I was obsessed with this form of expression, and it became the foundation of discovering how I wanted to contribute to the world. In high school, I found creative outlets in my mixed media, literature, journalism, and television production classes. In college, I learned to apply the knowledge and skills from those classes to build community in the student groups I was a part of. From designing event posters and social media graphics to writing thought pieces, the content I created often led to conversations with both students and staff, who would share their thoughts around the subjects I was depicting. In those years, I realized that I had an ability to use writing and design to connect people from different backgrounds for a good cause.
Therefore, the nonprofit world is a space that I naturally thrive in. When I learned about Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia (HMHBGA), it was an organization I immediately wanted to be a part of. Of all states, Georgia ranks 45th for prematurity, 44th for infant mortality, and 48th for maternal mortality. Through advocacy, education, and access to vital resources, HMHBGA works to improve health outcomes for Georgia’s mothers, birthing people, and babies, focusing on the full spectrum of maternal and child health concerns from prematurity to maternal mortality. Although I am not a mother, I believe the state of maternal health reflects how our society values women, children, and future generations. Not to mention, many of my loved ones have either struggled with receiving adequate maternal healthcare or are hesitant to become mothers due to the health and economic risks. I am grateful and excited that I get to be a part of an organization committed to creating a healthier future for our women, mothers, and families.
As the Director of Communications & Development, part of my job is to build awareness of HMHBGA’s services and connect families to our resources and team. It’s encouraged me to be innovative with my creative strategy – our organization serves the entire state of Georgia, meaning that we want to reach moms and families from various backgrounds. Particularly, we keep women of color, LGBTQ+ birth givers, and families living in rural communities at the top-of-mind as these groups are at higher risk of experiencing maternal and infant health disparities. My goal is to curate content in a way that is meaningful and accessible across these demographics. The best way to do that is to listen and respond to the needs of mothers and birth givers. There are too many stories where they go unnoticed, unheard, and unserved, which can be detrimental to their lives and their babies’ lives. Our team at HMHBGA does a great job of having intimate conversations with those most affected by maternal health inequities so that we have a pulse on what is most helpful and relevant. I feel very lucky to work with such a passionate, dynamic team. Finally, I have learned about the immeasurable value of authenticity in crafting our messages. Our work is grounded in cultural relevance and inclusivity. Because our content reflects those values, anyone who comes to us for resources and help knows that we lead with our community in mind .
To learn more about HMHBGA, visit hmhbga.org and picklesandicecreamga .org.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
While my specific content goals have shifted over the years, I am always brought back to exploring how different mediums of expression can contribute to a community or cause. It’s fascinating to see how a piece of art or writing can lead to a group of people taking action in the real world. Whether it’s a painting, a song, or a TikTok video, I am continuously learning and finding inspiration from others to push the creative limits I subconsciously set for myself.
What do you find most rewarding about being creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is being able to watch my ideas come to life and connect with others through creativity and innovation. Especially in recent years where the state of the world hasn’t felt very optimistic, I am grateful to have an outlet where I can put my energy into the world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @dapharoni
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daphne-yuan-981690a4/