
Tyra Banks
CEO, Entrepreneur TV Icon, Author, Activist, Advisor on "Celebrity Apprentice"
Expanding the definition of beauty is something Tyra Banks has always believed in, as a supermodel and as a super-businesswoman. Six modeling agencies rejected her before she was signed at the age of 15 years old. Now, hundreds of magazine covers and thousands of runways later, Tyra grooms the next generation of models to make…
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Expanding the definition of beauty is something Tyra Banks has always believed in, as a supermodel and as a super-businesswoman. Six modeling agencies rejected her before she was signed at the age of 15 years old. Now, hundreds of magazine covers and thousands of runways later, Tyra grooms the next generation of models to make their dreams come true. For the last decade, she has been the Creator and Executive Producer of America’s Next Top Model (ANTM), the first and longest running fashion competition-based reality television series. ANTM currently airs in 186 counties and has 26 international versions that span from Asia’s Next Top Model to Africa’s Next Top Model.
An orginal Victoria’s Secret Angel, Tyra was also the first model to grace the cover of GQ and the first African-American model to be featured on the covers of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, which featured her for two consecutive years, and the Victoria’s Secret catalogue. She was named one of Hollywood Reporter’s “100 Most Powerful Women in Entertainment” and Entertainment Weekly’s “25 Smartest in Television”. She was honored as one of Glamour Magazine’s coveted “Women of the Year”, alongside Former U.S. Secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Rodham Clinton. She won two Emmy Awards for The Tyra Show, the first show ever to receive the award in the new “Informative” category. Her infamous line, “KISS MY FAT ASS!”, made TV Guide Magazine’s 60 Greatest Talk Show Moments. She was listed twice on Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World”, and she took the #1 spot on Forbes’ list of top earning women in primetime for two years in a row. She is the author of a New York Times bestselling book, Modelland, and was named one of Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People”.
Tyra is CEO of The Tyra Banks Company – a place where beauty meets entertainment. In 2012, she graduated from the Owner/President Management program at Harvard Business School and is a proud alum. She recently developed Fierce Capital, the investment arm of The Tyra Banks Company, which invests in early-stage companies, including firms that are female-led or female-focused. Her passion is the TZONE Foundation, a non-profit organization that invests in young women to help them realize their ambitions and approach life’s challenges with fierce determination. The TZONE has transformed over the years and now takes residence at the Lower Eastside Girls Club Center for Community in New York City. The Tyra Banks TZONE at the Lower Eastside Girls Club is a rapidly growing program for girls, ages 11-14. The future roll-out of the complete TZONE curriculum will consist of a three-month program that focuses on five core pillars: entrepreneurship, financial literacy, elocution and self presentation, health and wellness, and self-esteem, beauty and body image.
She’s addicted to social media and cosmetics and can even do your makeup like a pro! She loves barbeque, photo apps, and freckles, but she hates all things chocolate. She’s an inventor of words: “SMIZE” (smile with your eyes), “Ty-over” (a Tyra-style makeover), and “H2T” (head to toe).
Tyra believes that perfect is boring, and human is beautiful!
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
Entrepreneurship
Modeling
Female Empowerment
Discussing Tyra Beauty And Her Path To Success
Tyra is known for her ongoing work in expanding the definition of beauty as well as empowering women. She speaks on a variety of subjects aimed to have positive impact.
Whether it’s about her career of breaking boundaries, accomplishing goals beyond anyone’s wildest imagination, being a powerful woman in business, listening to her own authentic voice, getting her education as an adult at Harvard Business School, or expanding society’s definition of beauty, Tyra gives audiences relatable and inspiring lessons that they can take away from her own experiences, all with a healthy dose of humor that garners a good amount of laughs with her self-deprecating stories. Her ability to connect with people made her the role model she is today.
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Tyra Banks Speaker - PDA Speakers
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