@yarashahidi on Instagram and Twitter

Yara Shahidi is not just the beautiful, well-dressed, and devoted internet user you see on the influential ABC television show Blackish, but a brilliant poised young activist that strives for social and political change. Shahidi embodies everything a black woman is and can be – accomplished, intelligent, and revolutionary. In this often times comedic and insane country we call America, Shahidi advocates black excellence, her love of reading, and the diversification of entertainment across social platforms like Twitter and Instagram.

Not only does she promote her upcoming spin-off show, Grownish, but she educates youth on the current political climate — confronting topics like Net Neutrality, the Alabama Senate race, and constant discrimination against African Americans, women, and other minorities/individuals.

Shahidi, currently boasts 1.4 million followers on Instagram and 206,000 followers on Twitter and growing. You would think a typical, impressionable, 17-year-old girl would indulge in conversations about high-end fashion or her favorite celebrity couple, but Shahidi’s far from normal. She meticulously uses her platform to educate younger generations on dilemmas they wouldn’t bother purposely researching for themselves. She not only flaunts her natural beauty and exquisite curl pattern but presents youth, especially young woman, with a smoldering passion to be more than just a pretty face.

Shahidi campaigns for equality and contemplates social change at a level beyond her years. Issues that present-day politicians debate, like the creation of space for women in society, Shahidi has already constructed the solution and conversed with Hillary Clinton or Maxine Waters on further eradicating injustice, both domestically and internationally.

Following Shahidi on social media would only be a glimpse at the woman she is and the wisdom that encapsulates her mind, but for now, that will have to suffice. Oh, and did I forget to mention, she’s going to Harvard as well.