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Did You Know Taraji P. Henson is an HBCU Grad?

Did You Know Taraji P. Henson is an HBCU Grad?
Posted By: Kennedy Williams on March 04, 2022

Actress and producer, Taraji P. Henson is a Washington D.C. native and a graduate of Howard University. While attending Howard she worked two jobs to help pay for tuition. By day, she worked as a secretary at the Pentagon and by night she was an entertainer on a dinner cruise ship.

Her first major acting role was in the urban cult classic, “Baby Boy” in which she starred alongside actor/singer Tyrese Gibson. She went on to star in countless movies like, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, “Think Like a Man,” “Hidden Figures,” and “Hustle and Flow.” One of her most famous roles is hands down Cookie Lyon on the popular drama series, “Empire.” Throughout the course of her career, she’s won several awards including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019.

Henson explained how she manages to stay positive as a working actress saying, “I don't harp on the negative because if you do, then there's no progression. There's no forward movement. You got to always look on the bright side of things, and we are in control. Like, you have control over the choices you make.”

With a successful career as an actress and producer that spans over 2 decades, Taraji P. Henson is another prime example of an HBCU grad exemplifying Black Excellence.

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