Dec. 2008 – The Tyra Banks TZONE Foundation, a national public charity dedicated to empowering girls and young women to make positive choices by supporting outstanding community-based organizations that share its commitment, has awarded $40,000 in grants to four nonprofits that offer innovative and powerful programs that encourage sisterhood among girls and young women and provide positive female role models and mentors.

TZONE has donated $10,000 each in renewal grants to the following:

Sadie Nash Leadership Project, in Manhattan, a leadership development program for young women dedicated to increasing self-esteem, improving self-image, and helping them to learn to think critically about womanhood, identity, and how to become agents of social change in their communities.

Ifetayo Cultural Arts, a community-based arts and cultural organization in Brooklyn, for its Sisters in Sisterhood Rites of Passage program, designed to prepare young women for adulthood by building their intellectual, emotional and leadership capacity through rigorous study over several years that culminates in a trip abroad to gain greater self and global understating.

The Lower East Side Girls Club, in New York, that provides creative and unique hand’s on programs and opportunities for girls and young women ages 8-25 that build ethical, entrepreneurial and environmental leadership and  that teach critical thinking skills and encourage positive actions.

Young Chicago Authors for its GirlSpeak program, a discussion, writing, and performance program for high school aged young women, which uses writing as a gateway to explore, discuss, and exchange ideas on feminism, power, body image, street harassment, and other issues, giving girls a powerful voice.

“TZONE encourages girls and young women to become driving forces in their own lives,” said Marian Gryzlo, executive director. “We want girls to be leaders, not followers, in control, not out of control, empowered, not powerless, about creating their best futures and going after their dreams.”

Founded by cultural icon, executive producer and talk show host Tyra Banks, The Tyra Banks TZONE Foundation’s mission is to support nonprofits that encourage supportive female relationships through programs that enhance girls’ self-esteem, leadership and empowerment through the arts, mentoring, community involvement and career exploration and personal wellness. Its website is www.tzonefoundation.org.