Tyra Banks' Journey To Motherhood Gives Infertility A Happy Ending
Baby Banks is in the building!
Tyra Banks' journey to becoming a mom wasn't the easiest, but we're soo glad that she finally found happiness. The 42-year-old model, mogul and now new mommy took to her Instagram to share this picture of baby Banks while celebrating her first Mother's Day.
We were super ecstatic when the news broke a few months ago and she confirmed that her and her partner, Norwegian photographer Erik Asla, are parents!
@tyrabanks: "The best present we worked and prayed so hard for is finally here. He's got my fingers and big eyes and his daddy Erik's mouth and chin. As we thank the angel of a woman that carried our miracle baby boy for us, we pray for everyone who struggles to reach this joyous milestone. York Banks Asla, welcome to the world.""
Tyra, who admitted last year that she'd been struggling with conceiving a child, went on to further detail regarding her miracle baby and "light":
“We are so excited for our new baby boy bundle of joy. The journey to now has not been an easy process, as I’ve shared before. But there was a beautiful bright light at the end of the tunnel for me and his father, Erik. As I gaze into the beautiful eyes of my son, I think about all the people who struggle with fertility or carrying a child and continue to pray for them every day. My hopes and dreams are filled with well wishes that they get to feel what my little treasure, York Banks Asla, feels like in my arms.” Tyra and Boyfriend Erik Asla via Instagram
News of Tyra's pregnancy came just a few months after the new-mom broke down on her show The Fab Life. When the topic of pregnancy came up, Ty-ty had a very painful and personal moment when she admitted that being without child had been taunting her more than people realized:
"I am so tired of seeing on my social media, ‘Why don’t you have kids?. Why don’t you have kids?’ You don’t know. You don’t know what I’m going through. When I was 23-years-old, I used to tell myself, ‘In three years I’m gonna have kids,. Then I turned 24. ‘In three years I’m gonna have kids.’ Then just every single year I kept saying that. And then, after a while it’s like, ‘OK, now I want to-and it’s not so easy.'” (breaks down crying).“It’s crazy, A woman that is divorced three times is more normal than a woman that hasn’t been married.”
Shortly after the episode, Tyra's former co-star, model and host Chrissy Teigen, who admitted she and husband John Legend had sought out fertility treatments, announced she was finally pregnant. So conrgats to both ladies on their bundle (and pending bundle) of joy!
As any mom would tell you, motherhood is a journey. And with any journey, the routes may be different but the destination is still one and the same. I am happy for Tyra having her "mom"ent that she has so dreamed of since her 20's. Whether it is traditional birthing, adoption or surrogacy, a mother is a mother and the love is one in the same.
[easy-tweet tweet="The routes may be different but the destination is still one and the same"]
Back in 2013, Shonda Rhimes (who is the mother of three girls - two adopted) opened up about her decision to choose surrogacy the third time around. The 46-year-old TV producer and writer, who admitted to Oprah once that she always saw her self having children, just not ever carrying one, opened up about the experience with having a surrogate parent:
"I didn’t adopt this time.... I had my baby via gestational surrogacy. Yes. You heard me. An incredibly awesome woman gave me the incredibly awesome gift of carrying my baby for me. It was equally as incredible as the experience of adoption. Different but still just as special and as wonderful as adoption.Anyway, I don’t actually think it matters HOW a child comes into your family. Bio, not bio, infant adoption, older child adoption, c-section, surrogacy, egg donor, sperm donor, embryo adoption, whatever…children are amazing. They are a gift. We shouldn’t be worrying about HOW they got here. I don’t worry about it. I just do the best I can to be a really great mother so they won’t write tell-all books about me later."
Congrats to Tyra! And all good mothers around the world. You run it!
A modest goddess who keeps it humble between mumbles. I'm a journalism graduate with a HERstory in digital media, print and radio. Roll the credits: Power 96, VH1, xoNecole, EBONY, SOHH. Deemed "Top 20 Women in Media" by Power 105. Bronx made me, Broward raised me.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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6 Spring Events To Boost Your Professional And Social Networks
When spring arrives, we all want to be outside, looking fabulous, and back to socializing. And now is the perfect time to add a few great events to your calendar to get you through the quarter in order to make new friends, build new partnerships, and talk new opportunities to level up.
Spring is a high season for networking and social events for Black women, with many organizations and event entrepreneurs booking prime locations and offering dynamic experiences that you can maximize in whatever way possible. Write down your goals, and get out there. Start with a few of these events between now and the start of summer:
New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival, April 23 - May 3
The New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival is a 10-day event held over two weekends, bringing together thousands of musicians, craftspeople, and food lovers to share in common threads of culture in the heart of New Orleans. You'll get to enjoy works by artisans local to Louisiana as well as from across the U.S. and around the world.
Black Food Truck Festival, April 26-28
Hosted in Charleston, S.C., the Black Food Truck Festival includes an opening party, access to more than two dozen food truck vendors, and a time to workout with other attendees. Charleston has long been known as a Southern foodie destination, with global recognition due to James Beard-awarded chefs heading popular restaurants there and a renewed focus on Gullah and Geechee culture and food in the region. And what better conversation ice-breaker than to talk about food with a new acquaintance?
Black Women's Mental Health Conference, May 4
Hosted by New York University, this is a one-day event to tackle issues of mental wellness and health that uniquely affect Black women and girls. The keynote speaker for this year is Kim Young, MSW, LCSW, founder of Dope Black Social Worker® and host of the podcast Revolutionary Hoodrat, and leading licensed professionals in the field will offer their insights and share their experiences. And, of course, no college-led event is without time blocked specifically for networking.
Strength of a Woman Festival, May 11-12
Anything with Mary J. Blige headlining or leading is a win, especially if we're talking about women's empowerment and enjoyment. This event will be held in New York City, and beyond the performances from some of our favorites like Muni Long, Jill Scott, and The Clark Sisters, there will be a Gospel Brunch. And even if you're not able to attend or concerts aren't your thing, just being in the city during that time will mean you're bound to run into plenty of other women to network with at local bars and restaurants nearby.
Carefree Black Girl Cookout, May 4
Held in the Queen City, Charlotte, N.C., this is a day festival amplifying the voices and brands of Black women entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives. There will be vendors, glam and beauty bars, and complimentary meals for the first hour (according to the platform's website). They're hosting another cookout in Philadelphia on May 25.
Black Women Leading Live, May 13-16
Touted as an “intimate retreat + conference,” this Virginia Beach, VA event will be held on a resort and is offering a professional development experience led by Laura Knights, founder of the Black Woman Leading® program and podcast. It’s an ideal fit if you’re a mid-level or senior professional, as the topics and approach are set to cater to those levels of career experience, with coaches and speakers pouring into attendees with a holistic approach.
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