Taraji P. Henson: A Multifaceted Actress and Advocate
Taraji P. Henson: A Multifaceted Actress and Advocate
Taraji P. Henson is a talented and versatile actress, best known for her roles in Empire, Hidden Figures, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Her impressive acting skill has earned her numerous accolades including an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
Born on September 11, 1970 in Washington D.C., Taraji grew up with her mother Bernice Gordon Spencer who worked as a corporate manager at Woodward & Lothrop department store. Taraji attended Oxon Hill High School before enrolling at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University where she studied electrical engineering.
After completing one year of college, Taraji transferred to Howard University to pursue a degree in drama. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theater Arts in 1995.
Taraji began her career as an actress soon after graduating from Howard University by appearing in various television shows such as The Parent ‘Hood, ER, Smart Guy, and Sister Sister among others. However, she found success when she landed the role of Yvette in John Singleton’s film Baby Boy (2001).
Her breakthrough performance came when she played Queenie opposite Brad Pitt’s character Benjamin Button in the critically acclaimed film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008). This role earned her nominations for both an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role.
In addition to being an accomplished actress, Taraji is also an advocate for mental health awareness amongst African Americans. In honor of her late father Boris Lawrence Henson who battled bipolar disorder throughout his life until his tragic death from liver cancer at age 58; Taraji founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF) which focuses on eradicating the stigma surrounding mental illness within black communities while providing access to quality mental health services.
The BLHF was established in 2018, and since then, the foundation has been working tirelessly to provide mental health resources to African Americans who are often hesitant to seek help due to cultural stigma. Through various initiatives such as “Can We Talk?”, a virtual conversation series aimed at breaking down the walls of shame and misunderstandings around mental health; Taraji’s foundation is making great strides towards creating a more supportive environment for those dealing with mental illness.
Taraji’s advocacy work extends beyond just mental health awareness. In 2020, she teamed up with Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors and others to launch the #TalkToMe campaign which seeks to encourage difficult but necessary conversations around racism and police brutality in America.
In conclusion, Taraji P. Henson is an actress whose talent transcends beyond the screen. Her commitment to social activism combined with her impressive acting skills makes her an inspiring figure within the black community. It’s no wonder that she continues to captivate audiences both on-screen and off-screen alike.