Yara Shahidi took the stage at the annual celebration of black girl magic, Black Girls Rock! on Tuesday, to acccept the Young, Black and Gifted Award.
Reflecting on the image and identity of Black women, the 17-year-old Black-ish actress called on Black women to reclaim their powerful identities. “Our community of smart, powerful, insightful, fierce Black girls is a community that exists without definition and, therefore, without restriction. Black girls rock. “
Shahidi, who was accepted to Harvard University earlier this year, is focusing on her upcoming project, Black-ish spin-off Grown-ish. The series will see her character, Zoey Johnson, navigating life on her own at college.
Shahidi added, “I just have to say thank you to everyone here for creating a support network so strong that we cannot help but to thrive together because we rise together.”