At the age of six, Yara Shahidi was already hyper-aware of the importance of giving her work meaning. “Abundance must flow” was a quote and a sentiment often expressed in the Shahidi household. “As someone working at a young age, receiving paychecks, my parents told me I had three piles: save, spend, and donate,” says Shahidi, who would pick causes to donate to, writing notes to her parents on why those specific organizations touched her on a personal level.
As an adult, the actress, budding producer, and recent Harvard graduate, is using her platform to fight for equity and be a voice for advocacy. Earlier this month, she spoke at the Cartier’s Women Initiative awards ceremony. The CWI entrepreneurship program, established in 2006, has supported inspiring businesswomen—ones driving social and environmental changes through their early-stage start-ups—with financial assistance, mentorship, and networking opportunities that help bridge the gender gap and offer a platform for small businesses to gain resources and visibility.
