Tyra+Banks

//**The Impact of... Tyra Banks **//

//“Self-love has very little to do with how you feel about your outer self. It's about accepting all of yourself. You've got to learn to accept the fool in you as well as the part that's got it goin' on.”- Tyra Banks // 

Overview[[image:tyra2.jpg width="181" height="186" align="right"]]
Model, television personality, and role model to young girls, Tyra Lynne Banks was born on December 4, 1973 in Inglewood, California. Tyra knew from a young age that she wanted to become a model- but she didn’t have it easy. She was self-conscious as a teenager and awkwardly taller than most of her classmates. But Banks grew into her body and immediately after graduating high school, signed with Elite modeling agency, a prominent agency in the modeling world. She began her career in the modeling career in Europe and evolved into a world-renowned supermodel who has became an inspiration to young girls everywhere.


Banks was the first African American woman to grace the covers of GQ, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, and the Victoria’s Secret catalog. She later secured an exclusive contract with lingerie retailer Victoria’s Secret, and in addition has appeared in ad campaigns for Nike, Pepsi, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, and Dolce & Gabbana. In her years in the modeling industry, Tyra Banks became a respected and idolized woman. With all of her experience in modeling, she decided to create “America’s Next Top Model”, a TV show giving young girls a chance to win a contract with a top modeling agency, and ultimately create the ultimate career for them.


But that wasn’t the first time that Banks appeared on television- she had recurring roles in //The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air//and //Felicity//. She also created "The Tyra Banks Show", a talk show that discusses a variety of important topics. She founded T-Zone, an annual weeklong summer camp experience, which is a leadership and life skills development program for primarily disadvantaged teen girls in the greater Los Angeles area. As of 2005, more than 240 girls have gone through the program. In addition, Tyra established "The Tyra Banks Scholarship" in 1994, a fund that grants African-American girls the opportunity to attend her alma mater, Immaculate Heart High School, an all-girls private school in Los Angeles. **References (2009-10.1.2.B) ** "Tyra Banks Biography on TV.com." //TV.com - Free Full Episodes & Clips, Show Info and TV Listings Guide//. Web. 11 Jan. 2010. []   Home Back to Prominent Figures