The Achiever: Tyra Banks

Tyra Lynne Banks was born in 1973 in Inglewood, CA. Her mother is a fashion manager and a NASA photographer. Her father is a computer consultant. Banks was accepted for UCLA and USC to major in television producing.

Banks began modeling as a junior in high school. Banks has been on the covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle and Harper's Bazaar. She's walked the runway for many designers including Chanel, Anna Sui and Christian Dior. She was the first Black woman to appear on the covers of GQ and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. Banks was also the first Black woman to appear on the cover of the Victoria Secret's catalog. Banks retired from modeling in 2005 to concentrate on her television career.

Banks has done numerous acting spots on the small screen like Fresh Prince of Bel Air, MadTV, Felicity and many more. Banks started her own production company, Bankable Productions, and released her own talk show. She introduced us to the world of modeling with her reality show contest, America's Next Top Model. Banks received a Daytime Emmy in 2008 for the Tyra Banks Show.

Banks was also a featured in movies including Higher Learning, Love and Basketball and Halloween: Resurrection.

The entertainer also tried her hand in music. Along with being in many music videos, the model released her own music single, Shake Yo Body. Banks also released a song with NBA player, Kobe Bryant.

Banks is still working but has recently been accepted to Harvard Business school.