The very awesome Yara Shahidi has received the very first Youth Empowerment Award from The Cameron Boyce Foundation!
The actor, who recently starred as Tinkerbell in Disney’s Peter Pan & Wendy, was honoured for her activism and kindness at the CAM FOR A CAUSE gala held on June 1, an event honouring her late friend and fellow actor Cameron Boyce while raising funds for epilepsy research.
You might remember, Cameron sadly passed away in his sleep in 2019 as a result of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy Patients. He was just 20 at the time.
“It is such an honour to be the recipient of the first Youth Empowerment Award,” Yara shared in a release.
“I met Cameron when we were 5 years old, and even then, his talent, his fearlessness and his belief in the power of his peers was evident. It means so much to be recognised 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 Foundation announced in May that Yara would receive the award “for her activism surrounding STEM awareness, women’s rights, civil rights, and her countless acts of kindness towards others.”
The Youth Empowerment Award aims to honour Cam’s legacy by spotlighting one extraordinary young person dedicated to creating change.
“Despite Cameron’s accomplishments during his short time here, he was at his core, a true philanthropist,” the Foundation said.
“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.”
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“In Cameron’s words: ‘The leaders of tomorrow are fierce and unafraid…’ 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.”
Also attending the gala to show their support were many of Cam’s famous friends including Dove Cameron, Karan Brar, Debby Ryan and Adam Sandler.
The foundation, which was formed several months after Cameron’s passing, has raised more than $1 million for epilepsy research so far as well as other causes he was passionate about including the global water crisis.
(Feature Image Credit: Unique Nicole/Getty Images)
