Cartier is best known for its exquisite fine jewelry, but the brand’s contributions go beyond baubles. Each year the Cartier women’s initiative program helps female entrepreneurs reach their potential through programs that empower their businesses and enrich their lives. In the 15 years since CWI began, its awards, fellowships, and leadership programs have helped 262 fellows and provided more than six million dollars in grants to companies whose work is a force for societal good. 2022’s took place during the Dubai Expo 2020 on International Women’s Day, where changemakers from across the globe gathered to celebrate remarkable women.
As the event’s keynote speaker, Yara Shahidi was at the center of it all. The actor, producer, activist, and Harvard student has one of the busiest schedules in Hollywood, but the CWI holds a special place in her heart. Involved for the second year in a row, Shahidi values its commitment to women from all walks of life. “The philanthropic component of the Cartier brand brought us together in such an authentic way,” she shared on the phone from Dubai. “I’d been in the Cartier family and borrowed many a piece for some of my favorite [red carpet] looks, but when it came to joining, it was a conversation with their executive team that impressed me. They outlined the importance of their initiatives and everything the brand is doing in that regard.”
That conversation came in the middle of the pandemic, so the first CWI event Shahidi attended happened virtually. “At that time, we weren’t able to meet in person, but we had a wonderful conversation about the importance of diversity and inclusion,” she says. “To be in a partnership where we can have these gatherings—virtually or face to face—is wonderful. We get to celebrate 15 years of supporting women globally through these initiatives while creating moments like the gala. So this is a partnership that fulfills me creatively and touches where my heart is in terms of the mission.”
Addressing the audience in Dubai, the star stepped into a familiar role: public speaker. “Coming out of two years where I did so much speaking, but it was all from the comfort of my bedroom or downstairs in my office, being physically back on a stage feels like a brand new experience,” says Shahidi. “I love the energy and fun that comes from being in the same room with everyone [and] there are so many incredible women. I dove into their work beforehand, especially those involved in technology. There are developers who are creating new ways for young women to enter the world of coding, opening up pathways so that programming [as a field] is more equitable. I was also impressed by an incredible Filipina entrepreneur, who has started a platform to teach kids about building credit, which is important considering its inaccessibility and how it impacts our mobility. The tools she’s created sets people up for success long term, and she’s just trailblazer among many here.”
Given the impact the attendees have, Shahidi wanted her keynote to focus on a meaningful topic, and the one she selected was deeply personal. “This is a truly intergenerational gathering, so I wanted to discuss the impact that intergenerational exchange has had on my life,” says Shahidi. “So much of who I am stems from my grandparents and the generations who came before me, the mentors that I’ve picked up along the way. These people have been so important to me, so I wanted to share the message that whether consciously or unconsciously, everyone who takes on a project tied to social justice and equity is doing intergenerational work. Their contributions have meaning for years to come, so how do we approach that with greater awareness of the power that holds? “
In keeping with that spirit, Shahidi noted the role the fashion community can have in creating such change. “Fashion and self-expression hold so much power,” she says. “When you think about the ways in which discrimination has played out, so much of it has been about policing expression. Any attempt to make fashion more inclusive, accessible, thoughtful, and capable of giving people the tools and agency to express themselves is so important. Initiatives like Cartier’s shouldn’t be an afterthought; they need to become part of the business model.”
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