07/09/2026
Actress Taraji P. Henson has used her voice and her money to help people who feel unseen. In 2018, she started the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in honor of her father, Boris Lawrence Henson, to support mental health, especially in Black communities. The nonprofit is led by her close friend Tracie Jade Jenkins. Taraji has spoken openly about life challenges and personal struggles. Her nonprofit helps connect people to therapists and resources, and it also pushes for change so mental health is taken more seriously.
Over the years, Taraji's roles in film have consistently shown that reality. They reflect mental pressure, life struggles, and the weight people carry when everything feels overwhelming. She also supports others through kindness and compassion. In April 2026, she put up $20,000 of her own money to double influencer Zachery Dereniowski's gift to a single mother in New Jersey. Taraji has also spoken in Washington, D.C. to push for better access to mental health care, more funding for services, and to reduce the stigma in underserved communities.
Through her giving and her kind actions, she continues to stand with people in their hardest moments. Even though Taraji has reached major success, she never forgot where her journey began. And her story shows all of us the importance of showing up, speaking out, and making sure no one feels alone.
(Photo: Taraji P. Henson / Tyler Perry Studios)