In the multi-award-winning ABC comedy series “Black-ish,” young scholar, philanthropist, and actor Yara Shahidi plays popular adolescent “Zoey Johnson,” an ambitious, technologically obsessed high school junior.
Since the show’s launch in September 2014, Yara has won a 2016 Gracie Award for Female in a Breakthrough Role, been nominated for a Teen Choice Award, and received an NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Supporting Actress” in a Comedy Series.
Yara Shahidi continues to utilize her platform to inspire and encourage others, making her one of Hollywood’s most lauded young stars. Shahidi, who was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, spent the early years of her youth there when she delighted in yearly trips to the state fair and helped her grandpa run the family’s Persian Rug store.
Her mother is a well-known commercial actress, while her father is a prominent cameraman. Along with her mother, the little celebrity debuted in a number of international print and commercial campaigns. When she was given the chance to try out for the part of “Olivia Danielson” in the Paramount movie “Imagine That,” with Eddie Murphy, that became her first significant picture.
She soon embraced the part of Murphy’s artistic and upbeat daughter, which fueled her passion for acting. With Cheryl Hines and Megan Mullally, Shahidi later had appearances in TV shows including ABC’s “In the Motherhood,” CBS’ “Cold Case,” Disney’s “Wizards of Waverly Place,” FOX’s “Lie to Me,” and FOX’s “The Finder,” to mention a few.
In addition, Shahidi continues to play recurring parts as the “young Olivia Pope” on the popular ABC drama “Scandal” and as “Maddie” on the ABC Family drama “The Fosters.” Among Shahidi’s numerous film roles are “Unthinkable” (Sony Pictures), in which she played the son of Samuel L. Jackson, “Salt” (Columbia Pictures), in which she appeared alongside Angelina Jolie, “Alex Cross” (Summit Entertainment), in which she played the daughter of Tyler Perry, and “Butter,” in which she played Jennifer Garner’s co-star. Yara is not only equally dedicated to performing and academics, but she also just established “Yara’s Club,” a collaboration with The Young Women’s Leadership Schools (TYWLS) in New York.
A bi-monthly online gathering called Yara’s Club brings together Yara and students to talk about social challenges, personal development, and higher education. Yara also acted as the spokeswoman for the DoSomething.Org and 3M “Science Sleuth” campaign, which generated money for Minnesota and St. Louis classrooms in need of science and technology supplies.
Currently, she serves as executive producer and lead of Freeform’s black-ish spinoff series, grown-ish, which is the #1 cable comedy among the 18 – 49-year-old demographic. Yara Shahidi also executive produces and stars in Meta’s new interview show, Yara Shahidi’s Day Off, where she joins her celebrity peers and gets a glimpse into their lives through a variety of experiences that reflect their authentic interests outside of their fame. Recently, Yara voiced Callie in Netflix’s animated film, My Father’s Dragon.
Yara Shahidi can also be seen in the role of “Tinker Bell” in Disney’s live-action film, Peter Pan & Wendy. She serves as executive producer and stars in Amazon Studios’ romantic-comedy Sitting in Bars with Cake. Additionally, she appears in Apple’s upcoming American anthology drama series, Extrapolations.
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Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
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