Shannon Tavarez

If you live in the New York area and haven't heard about Start It Up! The Youth Initiative, you better get familiar! This organization is dedicated to bringing awareness to issues that affect the local community, promoting positive action while incorporating the arts. The organization was founded in memory of Shannon Tavarez who was best known for her role as Young Nala in the Broadway production of "The Lion King". Shannon was diagnosed with with acute myeloid leukemia in early 2010 and struggled to find a marrow donor with her blood type, leading to her passing in November 2010.