• Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
      • Hair News
      • Natural
      • Relaxed
      • Transitioning
      • Weave
      • 4C
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood

Black Women In Hollywood Awards: Watch Yara Shahidi’s Beautifully Woke Speech On Young Womanhood

The Black-ish star graciously thanked those who’ve come before her in Hollywood and paid tribute to her peers.
Black Women In Hollywood Awards: Watch Yara Shahidi’s Beautifully Woke Speech On Young Womanhood
By Charli Penn · Updated October 26, 2020
5347074965001

Rising Hollywood star Yara Shahidi’s talent’s and grace continue to amaze.

During the ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood 2016 awards gala, which aired tonight on OWN, Shahidi was honored alongside fellow actresses Issa Rae, Janelle Monae and Aja Naomi King for her accomplishments.

Shahidi delivered a powerful and moving acceptance speech on the beauties and struggles of young womanhood and coming of age in today’s world.

“See, as a teenager, I’m very unsure of myself….much of the time,” the Black-ish star told the crowd. “Not certain if I’m saying the right things, if I’m acting the right way….If I’m even supposed to be here.”

The young actress, who has already accomplished so much in Hollywood at the tender age of 17, shared the vulnerability of her own journey thus far and what’s she’s learned along the way.

“I’m constantly moving into new and unfamiliar territory…. from set, to events, to young womanhood and to stages like this and it can all be so overwhelming,” she added. “What am I doing in these beautiful designer clothes while the world is reeling backwards, people are being deported, and discrimination is rearing its ugly head? What am I doing to contribute to the world around me?”

Shahidi remains woke and gracious beyond her years and continues to praise the women in Hollywood who have come before her.

“I just want to take a moment to appreciate the fact that I’m surrounded by all of this magic right now,” opened Shahidi when accepting the Generation Next Award.  “Specifically, Black girl magic! I’d like to use this opportunity to express my appreciation for the women in this room and the work you all are dedicated and committed to creating.”

Shahidi, who brought along her parents Keri and Afshin Shahidi, her two brothers and aunts to share in the joy of the evening.

Want more trending celebrity news? Subscribe to our newsletter now.

“I’m fortunate because you all have taught me by example what the role of the artist is: to disrupt, to remold, to create,” she said. “To disrupt this faulty system, to remold the foundation of this country into one in which all are given equal opportunities and to create a space in which our underlying humanity is recognized and our differences are celebrated. I’m honored to be on a show like Blackish, which does just this.”

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Shahidi concluded her poignant speech with a powerful quote to remember.

“In the words of James Baldwin, ‘Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them,’” she said. “I’m honored to be imitating you.”

Watch the rest of Shahidi’s beautiful and heartwarming speech above.

 

TOPICS:  Yara Shahidi
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now