17-Year-Old Raven Keiara Who Co-Founded A Media Company At Eight Years Old Launches ‘Show Up and Step Up’ Initiative To Empower Youth
As a community Ambassador, the teen will use her passion for music and cultural education to advocate for arts and important causes while partnering with civic alliances.
LOS ANGELES, CA, USA — 2024 is turning out to be a breakthrough year for media darling Raven Keiara.
The multihyphenate teen is making a name for herself. With tenacity, enthusiasm, grace, strength, and style, the 17-year-old award-winning media personality, scholar, singer, dancer, actress, activist and humanitarian is optimistic about the future and eager to create change. Top of mind is her commitment to engaging and empowering other youth, giving back, human rights and social justice.
In June, the teen graduated with honors from Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach. In response to the lack of diversity in her high school and a racially motivated incident, Raven Keiara advocated to the city government and demanded cultural awareness. This year, the passionate advocate harnessed the collective power of her school’s Black Scholars Union during her senior year of High School and led the charge for the implementation of an official Juneteenth celebration in her local community.
She later founded “Show Up and Step Up,” an initiative to empower youth to raise their voices. Raven Keiara collaborates with various organizations to raise awareness and promote positive change. She advocates for cultural acceptance and works tirelessly to connect community members with needed resources.
Over the past few months, the teen leader has organized and executed two community resource fairs. She led the efforts for a career fair for youth which brought community organizations and vendors together. In June, Raven Keiara collaborated with award-winning playwright Annie Lesser and ABC Interactive to host “Positive Shifts,” to champion effects so youth could take part in expanding community and embracing art. The event was supported by the California Arts Council and the Long Beach Arts Council through the Creative Corps grant program.
“We focused on educating, inspiring, and entertaining guests,” Raven Keiara said. “It was a family-friendly arts inspired event that offered an immersive experience. We focused on creating awareness, uplifted youth, promoted community engagement and championed social justice by adding diversity, equity and inclusion,” the teen activist said.
In May 2024, Raven Keiara was honored for her social activism in Beverly Hills at the prestigious First Ladies High Tea sponsored by L.A. Focus Magazine, where she received a hefty scholarship. In 2024, Raven Keiara was also the recipient of scholarships from the Neptunian Woman’s Club of Manhattan Beach, Imagine Etiquette, Inc., the Inglewood Pacific (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, among others.
Last summer the teen studied business at New York University (NYU). She is a graduate of legendary actor and director Bill Duke’s screenwriting program for youth, in conjunction with New York Film Academy, where she mastered production.
The teen performer recently wrapped a musical production of “Aladdin” in Los Angeles under the direction of veteran actress Wendy Raquel Robinson for the renowned musical theater company Amazing Grace Conservatory (AGC).
Jacquelyn Honors-Elam, executive vice president of AGC said “Raven is one of our alumni and we are so proud of the many positive things she is engaged in. She is absolutely stunning and charming – you forget she’s 17.”
The VP stated “we’re happy to have Raven as an Ambassador for AGC.”
As if she didn’t already have enough going on, last month Raven Keiara debuted in the new “Show Me” music video co-starring Raven’s Home Emmy-nominated actor and AGC alum Issac Ryan Brown. Since its release in July the video had already become a fan-favorite garnering critical acclaim.
Raven Keiara, who started acting in productions for Disney at five years old, has shown that she thrives in the fast-paced environment of Hollywood, proving that age is no barrier to success in the entertainment industry.
The teen activist is revered for her volunteerism, community engagement, leadership and dedication to the care of underserved populations, empowering and mentoring other youth as a stand out among her peers.
“Her youthful enthusiasm and sharp organizational skills have impressed seasoned industry professionals, earning Raven Keiara a reputation as a trusted media professional and staunch advocate,” Honors-Elam added.
For her many achievements, commitment to the community and social justice initiatives, Raven Keiara has received numerous honors from notables such as: U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Congressman Ted Lieu,
Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, Senator Steven Bradford, Los Angeles Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Manhattan Beach Mayor Joe Franklin, Manhattan Beach City Council, and Congresswoman Maxine Waters, just to name a few.
When asked what has made her stay relevant the teen notes,”You have to keep reinventing yourself. I sing. I dance. I act. I produce. I create content. I show up. I step up. I create initiatives. I create alliances. I’m constantly building,” the teen added.
“Lights, camera, inspiration.”
Raven Keiara, Women of Prominence
womeninbizalliance@execs.com
5042 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 475
Los Angeles, CA, United States
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