Tyra J. Duren, PHR

Dual M.A. in Human Resource Development & Human Resource Management, Founder & President, Life Coach, Career Adviser

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Tyra has always been recognized for her gifts to lift the spirits of others. From the very beginning, during her toddler years, she always aspired and aimed not to simply exist, but to make a difference; not to simply count every day, but to make every day count. At the age of 5, she was blessed to sing for Dr. Bobby Jones before 30,000 in Detroit, MI. As a young child, she knew God had a purpose and plan for her life to never settle for less than the BEST. At the age of 8, she auditioned for the WDB Professional Theatrical Touring Company and was blessed to be the company’s first young person to be a lead role actress and vocalist as they toured cities across the country. She was the featured vocalist on “My Soul Sings Magazine Gospel CD Recording, rendered breathtaking vocal performances at the Missouri Black Expo Gospel Explosion, the Black Rep Theatre, the Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Celebration, the Annie Malone Children’s Home Gospel Gala, and Hal Jackson's International Talented Teens (formerly Miss Teen Black America) “Pre-Teen” representative. She has also been featured in countless magazine, television shows, radio and print media. Each year confirmed she was destined to make a difference. 

​Tyra rendered many hours of service to mankind. These community service projects include mentoring, tutoring and peer mediation, which later lead to her starting Girls Empowered & Motivated Spiritually (GEMS) in 2010. As busy as these efforts have kept her, she still continued to maintain high scholastic standards at Jackson State University. During her undergraduate time, Tyra earned the title of Miss MADDRAMA, Thee Voice of JSU, was initiated as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., elected Student Justice, and crowned Miss Capital City Classic before graduating Magna Cum Laude.  

 

Tyra went on to receive a dual master’s degree from Webster University in Human Resources Development & Human Resources Management and now balances her non-profit organization and full-time career as a Human Resources professional.

 

Tyra has always been committed to giving back to the next generation.  She possesses a pure passion to positively impact pre-teen and teen young ladies and has been blessed to share and expand that vision with the founding of G.E.M.S. In August of 2012, she was afforded the opportunity to annually present G.E.M.S. as the Special Guest Facilitator for the Illinois Mid-state Youth Quake, which draws thousands of youth from across the region, and brought fourth my highest achieved award, the “Outstanding Youth Role Model of the Year” for the year in 2010.