15 Years of Queen Size Magazine | A Personal Reflection by Tawana Blassingame
If you had told me back in 2011 that I would be celebrating 15 years of Queen Size Magazine, producing an annual awards show, and finding new ways to use my voice, I don't know that I would have believed you. Not because I didn't believe in myself, but because I didn't fully understand how much this journey would teach me or how much of my life I would pour into it.
One thing I have always known is that I enjoy helping people. I love connecting someone with an opportunity, introducing them to the right person, or helping them receive recognition for something they've worked hard to accomplish. I've never believed that helping somebody else shine takes anything away from my own light.
When I look at everything I've built, helping people has always been the common thread.
Queen Size Magazine: Where It All Began
In 2011, a few months after releasing my first novel, Blood-Stained Conscience, I started Queen Size Magazine. At the time, plus-size representation wasn't what it is today. There were talented models, designers, photographers, entrepreneurs, and creatives doing incredible things, but many weren't getting the exposure they deserved.
I wanted to help change that.
I wanted a publication where our stories mattered and our accomplishments were celebrated. Somewhere readers could see people who looked like them represented with care, wearing beautiful fashion, building businesses, and doing things they could be proud of. But I also wanted the magazine to offer more than pretty pictures. I wanted it to open doors.
Over the years, I've had the pleasure of introducing our readers to people they might never have known about otherwise. I've watched models develop their careers, designers grow their businesses, and entrepreneurs turn ideas into something tangible.
I've grown right alongside them.
I didn't come into this knowing everything about publishing, fashion, marketing, or production. I learned by doing. I asked questions, made mistakes, listened, and sometimes learned lessons the hard way. There are things I did in the early years that I would approach differently today because I know better now. That's what growth is supposed to look like.
Fifteen years later, Queen Size Magazine is still here, and I don't take that lightly.
The FFIAs: Why Wait for Someone Else to Celebrate Us?
Through the magazine, I saw how many people were contributing to this industry without receiving much recognition. Models dedicating years to their craft. Designers building businesses. Photographers shaping how our community was seen. Makeup artists, bloggers, producers, entrepreneurs, and advocates putting in the work.
I kept thinking, why don't we have something that celebrates all of them?
I wanted us to recognize the people contributing to this industry's growth, including those whose work deserved attention even if they didn't have the biggest names or largest followings. We didn't need to wait for mainstream organizations to decide we were worth celebrating.
In 2019, I produced the first Full Figured Industry Awards.
And let me tell you, producing an awards show is a completely different experience from publishing a magazine! There are moving parts, personalities, deadlines, and decisions coming at you from every direction. Having a vision is one thing. Bringing it to life takes a whole other level of commitment.
But the reason behind the FFIAs has never changed. I believe people deserve to be celebrated for their work. Hearing your name called and knowing your peers noticed your contributions can mean more than people realize.
The trophies represent years of effort, sacrifice, and commitment. I want the people receiving them to know that their work matters to this community.
From the Office of Tawana: Let's Have the Conversation
Writing has always given me a way to express myself. Through my editorials and Dear Industry articles, I've shared my thoughts on professionalism, accountability, leadership, and the challenges facing our community.
But I also love a good conversation.
With From the Office of Tawana, I have another way to connect with people, exchange ideas, and talk about things that matter to me. And every conversation doesn't have to be about fashion or the plus-size industry. I'm a woman, a mother, an entrepreneur, and someone navigating life like everybody else.
Sometimes I just want to talk about it.
I've always been interested in why people do what they do. What made them take a chance? What happened when the plan fell apart? What are they still figuring out? Those conversations can offer somebody listening something they need, even when that wasn't what we expected going in.
That's why podcasting feels natural to me. I have questions, I have opinions, and I appreciate being able to laugh, disagree, and learn without anyone having to pretend they have all the answers.
The Work Behind the Purpose
I would be leaving out a big part of this story if I made it sound easy.
There have been times when I've been tired, disappointed, overwhelmed, and unsure how everything would get done. I have a job, a family, and responsibilities outside of these platforms. Having a purpose doesn't give you unlimited time, energy, or money.
I've had to learn that enjoying helping people doesn't mean I can say yes to everybody. When I overcommit, something suffers. Sometimes that something is me. Good intentions won't finish the work, so I have to be honest about what I can handle.
I've also learned how much the people around you matter. My name may be attached to these platforms, but people have contributed their time, talent, ideas, and honest feedback to help bring them to life. I'm grateful for those who show up for this vision while carrying responsibilities of their own.
Supporting this industry also means being willing to challenge it. I can love our community and still speak honestly about where we need to improve. Through Dear Industry, I will continue asking us to examine the role we play in the things we complain about. And I need people around me who will hold me accountable, too.
Fifteen Years Later
Being on the cover of this anniversary issue gives me a chance to acknowledge my own part in this story. I'm usually thinking about the next issue, the next event, or what still needs to get done. I don't always stop to appreciate how far I've come.
I'm proud of what I've built. I'm proud that Queen Size Magazine is celebrating 15 years, proud of the purpose behind the FFIAs, and excited to keep using my voice through From the Office of Tawana.
I can't promise that a feature will change someone's career or that an award will bring their next opportunity. But I can care about how people are represented, put effort into the experience, and keep working to make these platforms better.
When people look back at my work, I hope they remember something that helped them. An opportunity. A conversation. A story that made them feel seen. Maybe even a challenge that pushed them to take their work more seriously.
Helping people has always been the common thread. Fifteen years later, that's still what gives this work meaning for me.
Don't forget to make your dash count.
All photos by Philip Drew @photosbypdrew
