Taraji P. Henson
|
Posted By: Quentin Congress on August 12, 2006 FEATURED Content Actress In college, she wanted to study electrical engineering. But when she failed precalculus, she transferred to Howard University, in Washington, D.C., and earned a theater arts degree. As a student, she also held down a secretarial position at the Pentagon. Her film roles started off small (she had a bit part in this 2000 animation-live-action hybrid), but she hit it big with "Hustle & Flow," playing Shug, a pregnant prostitute with a talent for singing. Howard's vocal contribution to the film's keynote song, "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp," helped earn the track an Academy Award. In "Benjamin Button," she ages almost 50 years on the screen as the mother of Brad Pitt's title character. The performance earned her a SAG Award nomination, and there's talk of an Oscar. So, what's the meaning behind her intriguing name? "Taraji" means this in Swahili. Her middle name is Penda, meaning "love." She's no stranger to Hollywood's heavy-hitters. She's performed alongside Terrence Howard, Don Cheadle, James Spader, and Brad Pitt. Taraji is now being featured in new HBCU related film "From the Rough" based on a true story that took place on the campus of Tennessee State University... To view a clip from the new film goto: http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=... If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Quentin Congress
Public Services Generalist, Cleveland Public Library Central State University class of 2027 Member Since June 2005 |
Comments
 |
i love her!
Monday, October 15th 2007 at 8:47PM |
 |
I'm like in love with her! Which HBCU did she attend?
Saturday, December 29th 2007 at 11:01AM |
 |
she said she went to Howard . .
Monday, December 31st 2007 at 8:15PM |
 |
she is from Washington DC and she grew up in Oxion Hill Md. She went to Howard University.
Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 at 10:01AM |
 |
s*xy-ess hit lady I've ever seen! You killed them in Smokin Aces, love ya!! Monday, May 12th 2008 at 9:55AM |
 |
HU!!!!!
Wednesday, February 10th 2010 at 9:44PM |
 |
Great actress from my area. She went to NC A&T and transfered to Howard Friday, February 12th 2010 at 6:41PM |
More From This Author
Latest Famous HBCU Alumni
Popular Famous HBCU Alumni
 |
Della Miles takes Michelle Obama to the stage in "Obama the Musical"When Della Miles was a student at Prairie View A&M University in Texas, everyone new she would be a brighter star one day having been selected Miss PVAMU and 4th Runner-up to Miss Texas/America 1984. ...more
Frederick Roberts • 90,437 Views • April 11th, 2010 |
 |
Oprah WinfreyOprah Winfrey, the multi media mogul, has garnered international appeal for her talk show. As the first Black woman billionaire in world history, Winfrey has overtaken EBay CEO, Meg Whitman, as the ri ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 37,910 Views • September 30th, 2005 |
 |
Kerry D. ChandlerKerry D. Chandler, a San Diego, CA native, is the Executive Vice President of Human Resources at the National Basketball Association responsible for leading the league's global human resources strateg ...more
Ryan Rogers • 34,244 Views • May 3rd, 2011 |
 |
Rick Ross - Yep Another HBCU AlumnusWilliam Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. Ross founded the record label Maybach Music Group. He was born in Coahoma County, M ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 32,477 Views • September 1st, 2010 |
