• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Culture

Yara Shahidi to receive Cameron Boyce Foundation's 1st Youth Empowerment Award

1:41
Our favorite Yara Shahidi moments for her birthday
Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images
ByGood Morning America
May 08, 2023, 1:00 PM

Yara Shahidi is set to receive the first Cameron Boyce Youth Empowerment Award from the foundation created in the late actor's honor.

The actress, who most recently played Tinker Bell in "Peter Pan & Wendy," is set to accept the award at the Cameron Boyce Foundation's second annual "CAM FOR A CAUSE" gala in June.

Related Articles

MORE: Late actor Cameron Boyce's parents advocate for epilepsy education

The foundation was established to support epilepsy awareness and research funding for the neurological disorder. Boyce, who was known for his roles in the "Descendants" franchise and the Disney Channel show "Jessie," died at the age of 20 in July 2019 after experiencing a seizure related to epilepsy.

Cameron Boyce attends the 2018 LA Family Housing Awards in West Hollywood, Apr. 5, 2018.
Rob Latour/Variety via Getty Images

Boyce's sister Maya Boyce will present the award to Shahidi at the upcoming gala. According to the foundation, the award is given to "an extraordinary young person who is dedicated to making a difference in the world."

Editor’s Picks

Cameron Boyce's parents say they hope to 'continue his legacy as best we can'

  • Aug 15, 2019

Cameron Boyce's mother reflects on her first Mother's Day without him

  • May 08, 2020

Cameron Boyce's family, friends pay tribute to him on anniversary of his death

  • Jul 07, 2020

The foundation said it is shining a light on Shahidi's "activism surrounding STEM awareness, women's rights, civil rights, and her countless acts of kindness towards others."

“It is such an honor to be the recipient of the first Youth Empowerment Award," Shahidi said in a statement. "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 recognized for my advocacy, and the work I continue to do to effect change," her statement continued. "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."

Since Boyce's death, his family has worked to bring awareness to the neurological disorder and make more educational resources on the subject available to the public.

Cameron Boyce arrives for WE Day California at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif., Apr. 25, 2019.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institutes of Health, approximately 1 in 1,000 people with epilepsy die every year from Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy.

During an interview with ABC News Live in November, Cameron's father Victor shared that their family takes it "day by day" as they grieve and remain devoted to spreading the mission of their foundation.

Related Articles

MORE: Cameron Boyce's mother, Libby, reflects on her first Mother's Day without him

"Every day is a struggle for us because we miss our son so desperately, but we try to use our time in a positive way and just keep the focus on the foundation and what Cameron would want us to do," he said.

The gala will be held on June 1 in Los Angeles and will also feature special performances, presenters and guests.

Editor’s Picks

Cameron Boyce's parents say they hope to 'continue his legacy as best we can'

  • Aug 15, 2019

Cameron Boyce's mother reflects on her first Mother's Day without him

  • May 08, 2020

Cameron Boyce's family, friends pay tribute to him on anniversary of his death

  • Jul 07, 2020

Up Next in Culture—

Simu Liu proposes to girlfriend Allison Hsu in Paris: 'I choose you forever and always'

May 12, 2025

Bindi Irwin misses Steve Irwin Gala due to medical emergency

May 12, 2025

Gisele Bündchen shares photos with youngest child in Mother's Day post

May 12, 2025

A timeline of the highs and lows of Sean 'Diddy' Combs: From Grammys to legal trouble

May 12, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News