Yara Shahidi Number One Goal Is To 'Open Doors' For Everyone Seeking Representation on Screen

For as long as we’ve known Yara Shahidi, she’s always raised her voice for representation in the entertainment industry – and she’s not going to stop.

Speaking with Marie Claire for their Fresh Faces 2018 issues, the grown-ish star chatted about being a voice for the ones who don’t have it.

“I’m in no way trying to be the face of blackness,” Yara shared. “The goal is to open doors, role by role, and be drowning in a sea of people who look like me, or like someone else, so anyone can see themselves reflected on screen.”

Yara also spoke about the importance of voting in the country today.

“Even when you reach voting age, there are so few resources that are non-partisan in which you can develop your own political opinions,” she says. “My ultimate goal is to turn the passions and interests we have into policy change.”

Yara‘s cover story is out on newsstands on April 19th.