We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tomar Alston a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tomar , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I founded The King Mom Tee Brand in April of 2016 shortly after having my son to encourage and empower my self after realizing how demanding (yet rewarding) motherhood can be. I referred to myself as a King Mom in relation to the heart,effort and consistency I put forth towards being the best mom and woman I could be.

In 2017, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC), a form of breast cancer. After surviving this chapter of my life I redefined the term ‘King Mom’: A go hard mother or parental figure who in spite of hardship or crisis remains committed to the responsibilities of motherhood.

After I completed chemo, I partnered with a Community Partnership Program in the Soundview section of Bronx,NY and I had my first women empowerment event, 5 women ( including myself received a King Mom Award. Women who survived: Domestic violence,substance abuse,migration,health crisis and tragedy. To date 14 women have been presented with the award. I think women should be recognized & honored for what they go through and survive because life can be hard. I think recognition and appreciation goes a long way.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I founded The King Mom Brand shortly after having my son,Roman. It was in April of 2016 and he was 2 years old. I loved being a mom but it required so much more of me than I would have ever imagined and I needed to encourage and empower myself at a time when I wasn’t alone but just felt like it when it came to the day to day responsibilities & obligations as a new mom working a full time job.

A King Mom to me was a go hard mother, someone who did what had to be done in spite of obstacles. The brand started with just t-shirts. I met women who would share their stories with me and explained how/why they were a King Mom and I thought maybe this brand is bigger than just t-shirts.

The next year, in 2017, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC), a form of breast cancer. After surviving this chapter of my life, I redefined the term ‘King Mom’ to: A go hard mother or parental figure who in spite of hardship or crisis remains committed to the responsibilities of motherhood.

That year the King Mom Award Initiative was created. After I completed chemo a community work group I was already volunteering with offered to support me with planning & executing my first women empowerment event. 4 women were nominated from community organizations based on the King Mom Criteria and were presented with the award. My team also presented me with a King Mom Award at that event as well. To date 14 women have been recognized and honored with the award at an event I called the King Mom Social.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Being diagnosed with Breast Cancer was one of the toughest seasons of my life but I never wanted my diagnosis to define me or limit me completely. When I had the strength, I took my son to school,I went to work,attended meetings and performances. I was determined to not let my illness disrupt his life and I showed up when & how I could for him. At the time he was 2.5-3 years old.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I don’t have as many followers as other people but I can say with the ones I do have,there is a sense of community.

My followers consist of my friends,family,customers and people I’ve met over the years at pop ups and other events where I started selling shirts and promoting the brand.

My followers are also fellow breast cancer survivors,caregivers,family members of survivors,etc.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Kingmomtee

Image Credits
Denzel Walters