Care found by people who look like you shouldn't be a scavenger hunt.

The inspiration for Welanin began years before the platform was created. In her twenties, Alysia Welch-Chester experienced a healthcare interaction that would stay with her throughout her life. After recovering from acute bronchitis, Alysia attended a follow-up appointment with a physician she had never met before. During the visit, the physician commented on her appearance and suggested that she should wear makeup. When Alysia explained that it was early in the morning and that she did not frequently wear makeup, the physician responded that she would look better with makeup.

The conversation then shifted to Alysia's weight. After reviewing her chart, the physician noted that she had gained weight since a previous visit several weeks earlier — when she had been ill. Alysia explained that she had lost weight while sick and had returned to her normal weight after recovering. Rather than addressing her health from a clinical perspective, the physician made a personal and inappropriate comment about his Black women patients and their bodies.

That experience changed the way Alysia viewed the importance of finding healthcare professionals who provide not only medical expertise, but also respect, understanding, and cultural awareness. It was the last time she visited that practice. Without the benefit of today's widely available digital resources and social networks, Alysia relied on word-of-mouth recommendations to find a Black primary care provider — and was fortunate to find a physician who provided the trusted care relationship she had been seeking.

Years later, in 2020, the impact of highly publicized killings of Black people — including Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd — deeply affected Alysia. During that difficult time, she was grateful to have the ability to openly process her emotions and experiences with her therapist, a Black woman who understood the importance of both professional care and shared cultural context.

Alysia recognized that many Black individuals did not have access to a healthcare or wellness professional with whom they felt that same level of comfort, understanding, or connection — someone who could support not only their physical health, but also their emotional and cultural experiences.

That realization became the spark for what would eventually become Welanin.

Alysia’s journey toward creating Welanin has been shaped by years of meaningful experiences within the healthcare and education communities. She has worked alongside medical schools and universities to help train and assess the next generation of healthcare professionals, including future physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists, and other healthcare providers. Through her work as a standardized patient, Alysia has also contributed to the ongoing education and professional development of practicing healthcare providers at a nationally recognized cancer institute, helping clinicians strengthen their communication, empathy, and patient-care skills.

Her commitment to improving health outcomes extends beyond healthcare education. Alysia has received training as a community health worker, further strengthening her understanding of the connection between individuals, communities, and access to quality health resources. She has also contributed to research focused on family health as a research assistant within a university's foundation, supporting efforts to better understand and address factors that influence health and well-being.

Alysia’s passion for health equity is also deeply personal. Having navigated lifelong treatments for allergies and asthma, as well as her own journey as a cancer survivor, she understands the importance of feeling seen, heard, and supported throughout the healthcare experience. These experiences have reinforced her belief that access to trusted, culturally responsive healthcare and wellness resources can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

One of Alysia’s most meaningful personal milestones has been proudly having a therapist who looks like her — a representation of the importance of connection, understanding, and culturally aligned care. That experience reflects the heart of Welanin’s mission: helping individuals discover health and wellness professionals who not only provide expertise, but who also understand the communities they serve.

Through Welanin, Alysia is building a platform that bridges the gap between individuals seeking support, professionals providing care, and organizations committed to advancing health and wellness. Her vision is to create a trusted ecosystem where Black health and wellness professionals are recognized, accessible, and empowered to thrive.