Taraji P. Henson Launches Foundation to Fight Mental Illness Taraji P. Henson is helping to lift the stigma around mental illness in the br African-American community. The actress has announced the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in honor of her father, who passed away in 2006. The foundation will provide scholarships to African-American majors in mental health studies. It will also offer mental health services to African-American communities. Taraji P. Henson, via 'People' Taraji P.