Tyra No Banks: Poetry, Psychology, and Pursuing Dreams

What happens when a psychology major discovers the power of her creative voice? In our latest episode of Indie Artist Music Hustle, we meet Tyra Johnson—known professionally as "Tyra No Banks"—a Southern University senior who embodies the multifaceted nature of modern creativity. From penning her first poem at age six following her grandmother"s passing to winning the President"s Award for writing in elementary school, Tyra"s journey as a wordsmith began early. Now, her debut collection "Poetry for Colored Folks" represents a fresh, contemporary voice in Black literature. "I wanted to create a body of work that reflects where we are as a community right now," Tyra explains, highlighting how her collection addresses everything from pandemic life to the evolution of Black family gatherings. But Tyra"s creativity doesn"t stop at the written page. Having grown up singing in Baptist churches and school choirs, she recently stepped into the recording studio for the first time—a natural progression from poetry to music. "Poetry is a gateway to music; it"s the same thing, just without a beat," she observes, demonstrating how her foundation in writing strengthens her musical expression. Meanwhile, her psychology background provides crucial insights for marketing her creative work and navigating industry dynamics. Throughout our conversation, Tyra"s entrepreneurial spirit shines through. Currently participating in a book initiative that could place her work in major retailers nationwide, she approaches potential obstacles with remarkable resilience: "I always have a plan B, C, D, E, and F." As she prepares to compete for publishing opportunities in California, her parting wisdom resonates deeply: "Success is a journey, not a destination." Follow Tyra"s creative evolution across platforms @tyranobanks and witness firsthand how education and artistry can beautifully intertwine. Support the show