Jaycina Almond on Motherhood, her non-profit Tender, and what Brings her Joy.
Jaycina Almond is the woman behind your most adored images on Tumblr. The 26-year-old is a model and founder of Tender, a non-profit providing a stabilization program that bridges the financial gap and provides a safety net for single moms living on the margins in Atlanta. She spoke with us to share what’s she’s up to and the gift of motherhood. The Michigan native talks how she’s processing single motherhood amid the pandemic and how navigating the world as a young entrepreneur.
ES: Where are you come from?
JA: I’m originally from Michigan but I spent most of my childhood in Kentucky as well. I wanted to move to NY or LA to pursue modeling but I couldn’t afford either so I landed in East Point Georgia when I was 19 which is where I met the father of my precious 6-year-old Six, rapper 6Lack.
ES: Tell me more about your business?
JA: I started Tender when I had Six and I realized if 6Lack didn’t get a record deal when he did, we would’ve been in a crisis. It was hard to make ends meet before his deal which made me realize how it hard it was for other single mothers in Atlanta to take care of their family. It was then that I started, Tender, a non-profit that helps mothers by providing emergency bill pay assistance with rent + utilities, grocery store gift cards, and an operational a diaper bank. So far we’ve provided over $100,000 in financial aid to women in Atlanta since the pandemic.
ES: How did the pandemic change you as a woman and mom?
JA: It made me okay with not being okay. I realized I didn’t have to have everything together as long as I was trying my best that was all I could do. It also forced me to tune into myself to figure out what works for me and how to manage my life. It will look how it looks. As a mom, it made me realize the important things in life which is Six.
ES: What’s one thing you’d tell your young self to help her navigate the journey now?
JA: I would tell my younger self to hold on, it gets better. When I was younger, I couldn’t imagine my life past High School. So telling her there’s more to life outside of HS is one, secondly, to not give up. That this too shall pass.
ES: What does success mean to you?
JA: Being a good mom. My daughter thinking I was a great mom to her. Being happy.
ES: How has it been navigating the world with being a single mother?
JA: In my low moments, I grieve what could’ve been. I didn’t have my twenties, sometimes I feel that but at the same time I’m grateful because I’ve had to simultaneously find myself as a mom within that, which has been a blessing. I’m also grateful and privileged that I have access to care, food, resources, because a lot of women don’t. So in a way, everything is working out as it should.
ES: What you really like to do?
JA: Reading. Make jewelry, painting with my kid. Creating something.
ES: Fun fact about you?
JA: I like driving fast and bumping Young Thug.
Leo Sun: Rising: Sagittarius Moon: Sagittarius.
