Taraji P. Henson to Receive Honorary AARP Purpose Prize

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Taraji P. Henson is set to receive an honorary AARP Award for her exceptional work in removing the stigma surrounding mental health issues within marginalized communities through her foundation, which she established in honor of her father.

The AARP announced on Tuesday that Henson will be receiving the honorary AARP Purpose Prize during a ceremony scheduled for Oct. 1 in Washington, D.C. The Oscar-nominated actor will be acknowledged for her impactful work through the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation.

Henson expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating that she hopes the platform provided by AARP will highlight mental health issues and motivate individuals to openly discuss their struggles and seek help.

Established in 2018, Henson’s foundation pays tribute to her father, who suffered from untreated mental health issues after his return from the Vietnam War. The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation is dedicated to providing mental health resources and encouraging individuals in marginalized communities to seek the help and support they need without fear or shame.

Henson emphasized that the core mission of her foundation has always been to “eradicate the stigma around mental illness.”

Last year, the foundation collaborated with Alabama State University on mental health wellness initiatives. In 2000, Henson was honored by the Boston-based Ruderman Family Foundation for her efforts in ending the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Henson’s illustrious career includes an Oscar nomination for her role in the 2008 film “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” She also co-starred in the 2016 film “Hidden Figures,” which told the story of three African American women mathematicians who made significant contributions to NASA during the early days of the U.S. space program. Henson won a 2016 Golden Globe for her portrayal of Cookie Lyon in the television series “Empire.”

Alongside Henson, seven other individuals will be awarded the AARP Purpose Prize. The prize honors people aged 50 and older who use their knowledge and life experience to make a significant difference. Each recipient’s organization will receive $50,000. The honorees are:

1. Jon Elden from Oakland, whose organization, After Innocence, provides free post-release support for individuals nationwide who were wrongfully imprisoned.

2. Robert Elkin from Dallas, whose March to the Polls initiative aims to increase voter participation in underrepresented communities, particularly among youth and people of color.

3. Renee Fluker from Detroit, who runs the Midnight Golf Program, engaging high school seniors in life skill sessions, communal meals, professional golf instruction, mentorship, and college readiness initiatives twice a week.

4. Gemma M. Garcia from Miami, whose organization, Ladies Empowerment and Action, supports women transitioning from incarceration to community life by providing comprehensive wraparound services.

5. Jennifer Jacobs from Falls Church, Virginia, whose Connect Our Kids organization develops scalable tools to help keep children in foster care connected with their kin.

6. Jim Ansara from Beverly, Massachusetts, founder of Build Health International, which works on enhancing access to high-quality, affordable healthcare infrastructure in resource-limited settings worldwide.

7. Calvin Mackie from New Orleans, founder of STEM NOLA, an initiative aimed at inspiring future innovators and entrepreneurs through STEM-based activities and creating opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math.

AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins commended the recipients for their innovative solutions to improve how people live and age while tackling pressing social challenges.

Source: AP News, AARP