Tyra Banks Going to Harvard Sets the Standard for Black Entertainers

Filed under: Celebrity Finances, Dr. Boyce Money

Media superstar and modeling-model Tyra Banks recently announced that she's headed to the Harvard Business School. While it's still not clear if she's getting an official degree (I assume it's a short-term executive education course; I can't imagine someone with her experience and schedule taking too much time off for school), one has to be impressed with her decision to continue educating herself. Some might think that education is simply a thing you tolerate long enough to make money to support yourself. Nothing could be further from the truth, since learning should be a lifelong process.

"I started last summer, and I didn't really talk about it. It was very incognito, my name and everything, but I decided to talk about it [now]. I think it's a positive thing, especially for girls to see that you can still continue to educate yourself, and you can still be fabulous and fierce and celebrate your femininity," Tyra said to MTV News.

To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if Tyra were making the move (at least partially) for promotional reasons. She has a new book called 'Model Land' coming out this fall and is also promoting a new fashion Website. But the value of her gesture for the black community and young black women is quite powerful, since she reminds us that young girls can be both brilliant and beautiful.

As it stands, Banks' company, Bankable Productions, is reportedly worth over $90 million. Tyra continues to redefine the word "boss" within the entertainment industry, as she always understood that her beauty should only be a tool for greater things, rather than her sole reason for being. Honestly, I'm not impressed with Tyra's wealth, for there are quite a few wealthy black folks in Hollywood. What impresses me the most is that she has fully embraced her status as a role model for young women, especially black girls who are sometimes taught that you are only as valuable as the shape of your body parts.

Given that Tyra is only 37 years old, I fully expect that the best is yet to come for this empowered young woman. Not only will she one day be a billionaire, she will probably have an impact on the world that far exceeds the boundaries of Hollywood. Other black entertainers should follow her lead, because there is more to life than getting rich, going to the club and having lots of 'shine.' It's one thing to make money and another thing to make a difference. We should be trying to do both.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. To follow Dr. Boyce on Facebook, please click here.

 

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