Ep 6. Yara Shahidi

Thanks A Million is a heartwarming, celebrity-driven show that follows a unique concept where each episode features one celebrity, who surprises someone who has made a significant impact on their life by giving them $100,000 in cash. The recipient then pays it forward by giving half of the money to someone who has helped or inspired them in some way.

Season 1, Episode 6 stars Yara Shahidi, an actress known for her role in the hit TV series Black-ish and its spin-off, Grown-ish. Shahidi has been a vocal advocate for women's rights, education, and social justice issues, and in this episode, she sets out on a mission to express her gratitude and give back to those who have played a significant role in her life.

As the episode starts, Shahidi welcomes viewers into her life by taking them on a tour of her hometown, Minneapolis, Minnesota. In the first segment, she visits her former high school, which she says shaped her into the person she is today. She meets with her favorite teacher and surprises her with a check for $100,000, leaving the teacher thrilled and emotional.

Next, Shahidi visits an organization called Project DIVA (Determined to interrupt Victimization and Abuse), which promotes self-love, leadership and healthy relationships among young women and girls. The organization was founded by Junita Flowers, who has been a mentor and inspiration to Shahidi. Flowers, a former teacher and entrepreneur, helps young girls achieve their full potential by offering classes, workshops and resources on everything from financial literacy to computer coding.

Shahidi meets with a group of girls from Project DIVA and shares some touching words of encouragement. She tells them that they have the power to achieve anything they want and speaks about the importance of girls standing up to be leaders in their own lives. She then surprises Flowers with a $100,000 check, and the two women share an emotional embrace.

The third segment of the episode takes place at the University of Minnesota, where Shahidi's father is a professor. Shahidi is proud of her father's accomplishments and expresses her gratitude for everything he has done for her. She shares some touching memories of her childhood, and the sacrifices her parents made for her and her siblings.

To show her appreciation, Shahidi surprises her father with a brand new car and promises to pay off his mortgage. The two share a tearful moment, and viewers can feel the depth of their relationship.

Finally, Shahidi meets with her grandmother, who lives in Minneapolis and played a significant role in raising her. Shahidi speaks about her grandmother's wisdom and the lessons she has learned from her over the years. She shares some memories of them cooking together and watching old movies.

Shahidi surprises her grandmother with a check for $100,000, and the two share an emotional moment together.

In the conclusion of the episode, Shahidi reflects on the impact that these important people have had on her life and how thankful she is for them. She encourages viewers to express their gratitude to those who have made a difference in their lives and to pay it forward whenever possible.

Overall, episode 6 of Thanks A Million is an emotional, heartfelt tribute to the people who have made a significant impact on Shahidi's life. The show highlights the importance of expressing gratitude and giving back to those who have helped us along the way. The result is a touching, inspiring episode that reminds viewers to be thankful for the important people in their lives.