He has launched an anti-knife crime campaign and founded the Elba Hope Foundation alongside his wife Sabrina, providing grants to organisations across the UK, the US and Africa.
He was a beneficiary of the Prince's Trust as a teenager, when he was given a £1,500 grant to attend the National Youth Music Theatre programme.
Since then he has risen to prominence in TV show The Wire and established a film career, with starring roles in Beasts of No Nation and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom among others.
Sir Idris says he receives this honour on behalf of the many young people whose talent, ambition and resilience has driven the work of the Elba Hope Foundation.
