Tyra Banks is the Coronavirus Response Program Director at the Louisiana Minority Business Development Agency. She brings over a decade of experience in business to her work in program development. Tyra holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a certification in Strategic Planning. Tyra has completed several programs focused on diversity, inclusion, and equity including: The Ford Foundation New Leaders Fellowship, Urban Leadership Development Institute, Center for Progressive Leadership, American University’s Women in Leadership program, Dialogue on Race, Big Picture Approach, Education Leaders of Color and Collective Impact. Since 2018, Tyra has focused exclusively on small and minority-owned business programming. Prior to joining the team at Louisiana MBDA Center, Tyra worked to help the park system and city government in her community develop small business programs. She is most proud of her work to launch her city’s first green technology business academy. Tyra has dedicated her career to empowering communities of color through work in ministry, business and the non-profit sector.
She founded the Mission Possible Foundation to empower everyday social change agents and make their missions possible. For her 30th birthday, Tyra published her first book, The Purpose Filled Woman to help women honor their journey and live with intention.