Yara Shahidi's activism will be honored at this year's Cam for a Cause Gala, hosted by The Cameron Boyce Foundation. The actress will receive the gala's first Youth Empowerment Award, specifically for her work surrounding STEM awareness, civil rights and women's rights, as well as her acts of kindness toward others.
The Cameron Boyce Foundation, which honors the legacy of actor Cameron Boyce, launched the Cam for a Cause Gala last year with the goal of raising funds and awareness for epilepsy; Boyce died following an epileptic seizure in 2019. The award itself aims to honor his legacy by celebrating a young person who is dedicated to making a positive change in the world, just as he was.
"Despite Cameron’s accomplishments during his short time here, he was at his core, a true philanthropist,” a press release reads, per The Hollywood Reporter. “Aside from his countless acts of selflessness and dedication to bettering the lives of others, he also used his voice and platform to show other people how they too, could give back — even if they didn’t know how to.”
“In Cameron’s words: ‘The leaders of tomorrow are fierce and unafraid,'" the statement continued. “Yara is a shining example of an extraordinary young leader who is undoubtedly fierce and fearless when it comes to using her voice for change.”
Yara also shared a statement, noting, “It means so much to be recognized for my advocacy, and the work I continue to do to effect change. I’m grateful to my friends and family at The Cameron Boyce Foundation for thinking of me, as I will always be inspired and activated by their incredible work in the fight to end epilepsy.”
The second annual Cam for a Cause Gala takes place June 1 in Los Angeles.