Taraji P. Henson and Kate Spade Launch Women's Mental Health Pods at HBCUs

Taraji P. Henson has been vocal in her passion for bringing mental health services to the Black community. As the founder of the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, named after Taraji's father who according to the site "suffered mental health challenges without resources," Taraji aims to "improve mental health in Black communities by building culturally-competent resources, programs, and education across the country."

The site goes on to outline its mission statement as follows:

Our mission is to create new ways of healing in Black communities, clearing pathways that allow People of Color to see what their lives look like on the other side of suffering. We help you choose your joy over everything.

Taraji P. Henson and Kate Spade New York have joined forces on a new program to bring over 25,000 women with mental health and wellness access at HBCU campuses, with Alabama State University as the first in the rollout.

Each campus in the program will receive a She Care Wellness Pod that will offer everything from yoga and dance therapy to in-personal and virtual therapy sessions as well.

Kate Spade CEO and Brand President spoke on the partnership to EBONY saying, "We have been championing women’s empowerment and mental health for over a decade. We are a brand that believes positive mental health is a fundamental human right for all and foundational to long term empowerment for women and girls.

In our 30th year, we are increasing our commitment to mental health, partnering to create new and innovative solutions to how and where women and girls can access mental health support, and doing so with mission-aligned partners.  Women’s mental health has long been under-funded, under-resourced and under-acknowledged for the vital role it plays in empowerment journeys of women and girls."

As mental health concerns remain a major cause of women dropping out of college, we applaud you, Taraji for your excellent work.