Meet TUNDRA KING | Co Owner of an Academy serving students Kindergarten through 12th Grade

We had the good fortune of connecting with TUNDRA KING and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi TUNDRA, what is the most important factor behind your success?
My parents are the most important factor behind our sucess. My dad was unable to receive the education he always desired because he had to work at the farm to help his Parents, My Mom had to assist her siblings as well since she was the eldest. They both knew the importance of education ahd that it was the key to success. In 1964, with only a 3rd grade education, my Dad opened his own Construction Company. With my mom by his side, they were able to maintain a lucrative business for over 55 years. My Parents modeled what entreprenurialship looked like. It would be an extension of their dreams for us to open our own business. Driven by seeing black children disportionately suspended and arrested, my sister wanted to step in and make a difference. She shared with us how she wanted to open a school for those students whom traditional school setting was not suitable to help them navigate through school. After many family meetings with our parents, siblings and potential donors-Moreland’s Educational Alternative Academy was birthed. We were born and raised in the City of Pompano Beach. We followed our Parents footsteps as they were huge philantropist. We are all very involved in our church, sorority and other events hosted by the City of Pompano.
It was easy for us to have a captive audience as it relates to Parents allowing their kids to attend our Academy. Parents were elated to have their kids attend our school due to our connection with the community.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Our parents always made sure that education was a priority. Out of 9 children, 7 attended/graduated from College. What makes our school unique is that the school is run by 6 Sisters with an array of experience. Five of the students have retired from professional jobs and two are near to their retirement date. Our experience ranges from Education, Nursing and Law Enforcement. This experience has assisted us in establishing a unique curriclulum. It wasnt easy to open a school in the height of the pandemic but it was an asset to our students who were struggling on line. The face to face contact and the personalized small learning groups has contributed to a major self confidence boost and academic prowess. We were challenged financially opening the school admidst the pandemic. A great deal of our donors were unable to provide funding promised. My Parents were instrumental in ensuring we had the required funding to do the build out of our new location as well as meet our payroll needs.

The world should know that a brand isnt built over night and that all life experiences come into play when you open a business. We are so grateful that our parents raised us in a christian family with strong work ethics. It was all these positive attributes that has made our brand one that people have spoken of so postively. We have 7 sets of siblings and 8 sets of cousins attending our school. I think this is a testament of the community believing in your brand.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my/our best friend visited, the weekend would start off at my parents house. My mom is an amazing cook and there home has a pool. Usually most of our friends love coming to Florida to swim in the pool or go to the beach. The next day would include a day of fun shopping at the Sawgrass Mall and perhaps eating a Cheese Cake Factory. Our final day, would be a day at Wynwood in Miami spending time enjoying all the art and outdoor eateries.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My sister Karen Moreland Alford is the brain child behind Moreland’s Alternative Educational Academy. She has always had a creative way to reach youth that otherwise would be suspended or arrested. Her kind hearted personality has changed the lives of youth for over 30 years. Her reach is so wide span as she has students at MAEA and their parents where once her students. This is a testament as to how you impact the world with love, passion and flexibility. As she embarks upon retirement, she continues to make kids a priority.

Instagram: @MorelandsAcademy

Facebook: Morelands Alternative Educational Academy

Other: Email: morelandsaltedacademy@gmail.com Phone: (754) 307-9274

Image Credits
Karen Moreland Jackie Moreland Tundra Moreland King Joyce Jackson