When Taraji P. Henson faced challenges finding a therapist for herself and her son, it ignited a mission to tackle the mental health barriers impacting Black and marginalized communities. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Tracie Jade Jenkins, the Executive Director of the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF). Founded in 2018, BLHF is dedicated to prioritizing mental health in Black communities through culturally competent resources, programs, and education across the nation. This initiative was born from a deeply personal story of loss and frustration. Taraji, alongside her close ally Tracie, launched the foundation to honor the memory of Taraji’s father, Boris Lawrence Henson—a Vietnam War veteran who faced untreated mental health issues upon his return. Witnessing the lasting impact of Boris’s struggles, Taraji and Tracie were driven to address the glaring lack of culturally relevant mental health support in the Black community. Join us as we explore Tracie’s journey, the transformative work of BLHF, and the ongoing efforts to reshape mental health support for Black communities.

Resources

For more information about the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, please visit:

Learn more about the BLHF Joy Walk happening Oct 10th, please visit:

For more information about other BLHF events, please visit:

To get involved with BLHF, please visit:

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