Yara Shahidi was born February 10, 2000 to mother, Keri Salter Shahidi, and father, Afshin Shahidi. Since her cinematic debut in 2009 for Imagine That she's making sure her voice on equity and diversity is heard. Shahidi is considered the youngest activist for feminism. She's proud to claim her Iranian and African American heritage, modeling to other young women to be comfortable in her own skin.
Shahidi has climbed to fame with her character Zoey Johnson on the ABC sitcom, Black-ish a sitcom about a prosperous black family wrestling with black issues. Her platform for change is fighting the black stereotypes on television. At the age of 15 Yara Shahidi was honored by the Young Women's Leadership conference.
"It is up to us whether these years will feel like a melancholy struggle or an opportunity for growth or experiences of a lifetime." Shahidi says in her acceptance speech.
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Shahidi on her character Zoey Johnson
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Though its been said many times about how the world needs to be changed and its time for equality for all, Shahidi goal is felt powerfully through her vocabulary and knowledge. Her drive for change is riveting. Shahidi has launched her own mentoring program for young girls called, Yara's Club. She's a activist who champions feminism along with diversity and inclusivity. Shahidi encourages girls to go out and fail because she believes it helps us learn, grow and build confidence.
"I'm filming nine and a half hours a day, five days a weeks, but whenever I have a free moment, I'm talking to the U.N. or working on how to get Yara's Club launched," Shahidi said when asked about her mentoring program with the young women's leadership network.
Shahidi advises people not argue with others to prove them wrong but to speak in order to educate. To make your voice heard and understood. Shahidi also been vocal about the views of women in different generations. The older thinking the younger generations are too lost in their own world and the young thinking the older generation too old to remember what it was like to be young. Shahidi advises the generations of women to come together. For both to use their resources in order to make that difference the world need.
Shahidi became a partner in the non-profit organization called DoSomething.org-- it encourages young girls to pursue STEM( science, technology, engineering and math) careers. She's also connected to Always#LikeAGirl organization that aim to eradicate the stigma of falling and fear of being wrong.
Shahidi sets the precedent for the idea that our gender and our race no longer should define what we can accomplish. Shahidi has maintained a 4.6 grade point average while taking online courses at Dwight School Open World. Applying for college for Shahidi would be a cake walk, with her hit show and participation in social activism. A recommendation to Harvard from former First Lady Michelle Obama would be another reason why Ms. Yara Shahidi is a force to be reckoned with. Michelle Obama was impressed with Shahidi's diligence of advocating for leadership and diversity. She has claimed that along with filming her spin-off Grown-ish she will be attending Harvard in the Fall 2018 for a degree in African American social studies to follow her love of history.
After the 2017 election and many speculations of the racism that's been gravitating through our country, Shahidi made her voice heard. "Immigrants don't threaten safety-- stereotypical narratives that promote hate do" her view on what this world is made of speaks volumes. In just a few words she expresses her opinion without insult.
When she isn't taping she's inspiring young women to excel academically, volunteering at medical clinics and starting her own mentoring club. Yara Shahidi is a role model for young girls. The change we need and will very much see will begin with her. Shahidi's age alone is profoundly impressive through what she is trying to accomplish. She doesn't look at herself as a role model, "Giving back is not just something you do as an adult." Shahidi reveals in a New York Times interview.
In a Teen Vogue interview Shahidi mentions how a young girl approached her and revealed how she took an extra science class because of her. Shahidi goes on to say how she wants the "spectrum" of equality to be portrayed on television. The equality to reign through networks. Shahidi wishes to see somebody who looks like her as the doctor and the criminal and the successful businessperson and the woman barely making a living. In the same magazine she exclaimed, "Watch out 2035-- I'll officially be qualified!"
"I'm filming nine and a half hours a day, five days a weeks, but whenever I have a free moment, I'm talking to the U.N. or working on how to get Yara's Club launched," Shahidi said when asked about her mentoring program with the young women's leadership network.
Shahidi advises people not argue with others to prove them wrong but to speak in order to educate. To make your voice heard and understood. Shahidi also been vocal about the views of women in different generations. The older thinking the younger generations are too lost in their own world and the young thinking the older generation too old to remember what it was like to be young. Shahidi advises the generations of women to come together. For both to use their resources in order to make that difference the world need.
Shahidi became a partner in the non-profit organization called DoSomething.org-- it encourages young girls to pursue STEM( science, technology, engineering and math) careers. She's also connected to Always#LikeAGirl organization that aim to eradicate the stigma of falling and fear of being wrong.
When Shahidi was asked to describe the meaning of, "Like a girl" meant to her she says, "the decision is made by your own self. Its not defined by others. Girls and Women can define themselves. Its about us. Its your own personal expectations, not what society expects."
Shahidi sets the precedent for the idea that our gender and our race no longer should define what we can accomplish. Shahidi has maintained a 4.6 grade point average while taking online courses at Dwight School Open World. Applying for college for Shahidi would be a cake walk, with her hit show and participation in social activism. A recommendation to Harvard from former First Lady Michelle Obama would be another reason why Ms. Yara Shahidi is a force to be reckoned with. Michelle Obama was impressed with Shahidi's diligence of advocating for leadership and diversity. She has claimed that along with filming her spin-off Grown-ish she will be attending Harvard in the Fall 2018 for a degree in African American social studies to follow her love of history.
After the 2017 election and many speculations of the racism that's been gravitating through our country, Shahidi made her voice heard. "Immigrants don't threaten safety-- stereotypical narratives that promote hate do" her view on what this world is made of speaks volumes. In just a few words she expresses her opinion without insult.
When she isn't taping she's inspiring young women to excel academically, volunteering at medical clinics and starting her own mentoring club. Yara Shahidi is a role model for young girls. The change we need and will very much see will begin with her. Shahidi's age alone is profoundly impressive through what she is trying to accomplish. She doesn't look at herself as a role model, "Giving back is not just something you do as an adult." Shahidi reveals in a New York Times interview.
In a Teen Vogue interview Shahidi mentions how a young girl approached her and revealed how she took an extra science class because of her. Shahidi goes on to say how she wants the "spectrum" of equality to be portrayed on television. The equality to reign through networks. Shahidi wishes to see somebody who looks like her as the doctor and the criminal and the successful businessperson and the woman barely making a living. In the same magazine she exclaimed, "Watch out 2035-- I'll officially be qualified!"
Cite
Seligson, Hannah. (2015). "'Black-ish' Star Yara Shahidi is a Role Model Off-Screen https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/29/fashion/black-ish-star-yara-shahidi-is-a-role-model-off-screen.html?mcubz=0
Shahidi, Yara. (2016). Yara Shahidi Feminist Teen Icon & BFFs
http://www.teenvogue.com/story/rowan-blanchard-yara-shahidi-cover-interview-december-issue-representation-activism
Studeman,Kristin (2016). Sixteen-Year-Old Actress and Activist Yara Shahidi is Normal-ish
https://www.wmagazine.com/story/yara-shahidi-16-year-old-actress-and-activist
WITW Staff. (2017). Michelle Obama wrote College Recommendation for 'Black-ish' Star Yara Shahidi
http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2017/03/13/michelle-obama-wrote-college-recommendation-for-black-ish-star-yara-shahidi/?mcubz=0
I absolutely love her! I haven't gotten around to watching Black-ish since I've been watching so many other shows, but I actually signed up for Dosomething.org. I had no idea she partnered with them. But now that I know it makes me wanna get there name out there more! Really goo job on this blog, it's been really enlightening.
ReplyDeleteI will always appreciate those who are able to stay grounded, and humble throughout a time of mental horror, and gore. Yara is no doubt a very young woman who is not stopping the wheels of equality; that is just striking, and commendable. I remember hearing something about Dosomething.org, but I never payed much attention to it. It is just fascinating how her story unfolds into all of ours, she is purely an amazing person.
ReplyDeleteI love Yara! I watch Black-ish and cannot wait for her spin-off. She really is one of the members of the "new hollywood" that uses her platform and makes young girls look up to her.
ReplyDelete