Tyra appeared as the first Black model on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover.
February 1996 was a milestone as Tyra Banks became the first Black model to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, sharing space with Valeria Mazza. This edition, widely anticipated each year, is pivotal in launching the careers of models globally. Banks's appearance symbolized a significant progression towards inclusion and recognition for individuals of diverse backgrounds within a field largely dominated by a narrow set of aesthetic ideals.