Knockout Summer: Tillys', TLC, and the Tyson Foundation Team Up for LA Youth

Photo credit courtesy of Tilly's

When summer in Los Angeles heats up, it’s not just the temperature that rises. It’s the energy, the purpose, and the possibilities. On July 25, 2025, an unforgettable youth empowerment event lit up Cerritos as Tillys Inc., Tillys Life Center (TLC), and the Tyson Foundation joined forces to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From transformative workshops to a surprise meet-and-greet with boxing icon Mike Tyson, this was more than an event. It was a movement that redefined what summer in LA can truly mean.

Photo credit courtesy of Tilly's

For Tillys, the partnership was a natural extension of their growing commitment to mental wellness. Tillys has become more than just a go-to for back-to-school essentials. With over 230 stores nationwide, their newly launched “Discover Your Style” campaign promotes fashion as a form of personal empowerment where self-expression meets confidence. Their goal is to spread “California Shine” through positivity, inclusivity, and purpose.

Held at TLC’s Cerritos headquarters, the day was designed to educate and uplift. After lunch and a connection at the workshop, the energy shifted into high gear. The group was transported to Tillys store at Los Cerritos Center, where a buzz was building. Inside, a select group of youth waited for a rare chance to meet the man himself, Mike Tyson.

Photo credit courtesy of Tilly's

One by one, attendees met the heavyweight champion, who shook hands, cracked jokes, and shared stories of strength and perseverance. For many, Tyson’s journey from adversity to icon was more than inspiring. It was relatable. The Tyson Foundation, which hosted the event alongside TLC, was built on Tyson’s mission to give underserved communities a fighting chance at a better way of life. The foundation partners with local charities and organizations to provide tools and opportunities to help kids break cycles of poverty and step into lives filled with possibility.

Tyson didn’t just show up. He connected. He made every young person in the room feel like they mattered. And in a city filled with fleeting fame, that kind of presence left a lasting impression.

The event also extended beyond its walls. Customers across the country were invited to take part through a limited-time promotion that offered sweepstakes entries and in-store opportunities to win access to the event. Select winners joined the festivities in Cerritos and witnessed the power of community firsthand. Additionally, Tillys donated fifteen percent of the net sales from the Mike Tyson collection, sold between July 9 and July 23, directly to the Tyson Foundation, allowing shoppers to give back with every purchase.

Photo credit courtesy of Tilly's

This was more than a corporate collaboration. It was a vision realized. It was proof of what happens when brands, nonprofits, and icons come together with a shared mission to uplift the next generation.

Because LA living isn’t just about luxury. It’s about legacy. And this summer, the real power players weren’t on a red carpet. They were in a workshop learning to own their story, in a Tillys store, shaking hands with a champion, and walking away with more than swag. They walked away with a belief.

By Kasey Cahen