TZONE was born in 1999 when Tyra, passionate about inspiring girls to believe in themselves and take control of their lives, launched the TZONE camps. The camps provided a "Tyra style" leadership and empowerment program which gave teen girls a unique, week-long overnight camp experience held outside of LA, where Tyra personally lived among and bonded with the campers. TZONE's mission was to reinforce positive values and encourage girls to resist social pressures through a fierce, self-esteem building adventure.

With a desire to reach more girls nationally, in 2005 TZONE transformed into a public charity, the Tyra Banks TZONE Foundation, with a mission that honors TZONE’s camp origins – and seeks to create a larger “sisterhood” among girls and young women.

The Tyra Banks TZONE Foundation has provided resources to a network of community nonprofits recognized for their impact on girls and young women; they share TZONE's mission to empower girls to take control of their lives and puruse their dreams. Whether through community activism, dance, filmmaking, leadership, sports, writing, or as young entrepreneurs – many girls are creating their best futures.

While TZONE is no longer a camp, it remains committed to its cause. The Tyra Banks TZONE Foundation continues to honor what Tyra is fiercely passionate about – encouraging girls to be leaders, not followers; in control, not out of control; powerful, not powerless.

“TZONE is not a place – it is a commitment to empower girls to be fierce, focused and in control of their futures.” Tyra Banks

“So often it is only the name-brand and very large non-profits that garner large corporate sponsorships or celebrity endorsement and so TZONE in that way really stood out in its focus on doing good for girls and not simply choosing large name-brand non-profits” Sadie Nash Leadership Project

“TZONE’s support has garnered us prestige, and confirms the importance and interest in funding young women’s programming that includes art and activism, with an emphasis of self-expression and empowerment.” Young Chicago Authors