Faith Evans got candid on the “Tamron Hall Show” about raising her son, Ryder Russaw, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, and how the journey turned her into an advocate. Ryder was just under three when he was diagnosed, but Evans recalled having to push for answers. Doctors kept telling her to wait because every child develops differently. 

“I’m like, I feel like he should be talking,” she said.  “He should be saying a couple of words by now, so I finally just begged enough so that he gave me a written diagnosis.”

After her son was diagnosed, she began to learn more about the support available, but she admitted fear and confusion still lingered. Building a community became her lifeline, giving her access to knowledge and resources that eventually gave her hope. 

“With the help of other parents, thank God, who helped me early on, who became my first advocate, and then I wanted to do the same thing,” she said. “I’ve learned so much, and I just wanted to share that with other parents who just don’t know where to turn.”

The exchange inspired Evans to launch her nonprofit, Ryder’s Room, to provide children and families with disabilities and different needs with the highest level of resources and support. On September 27, the organization will team up with the City of Newark to present its inaugural gala, hosted by MC Lyte, to raise funds for advocacy, education, and community programs. Performances are set to include Redman, Lil’ Cease, Avery Wilson, Christopher Williams, El DeBarge, and special guest Mike Epps.

“Knowing that there is someone else who knows a little bit more than I know and who’s sort of walking the same walk… that was really why I started my foundation, Ryder’s Room,” Evans explained. “Just to be able to not gatekeep and share what I’m learning, and then we can learn together, we can cry together, vent together.”

Donations can be made to Ryder's Room here.