In 2022, Taraji P. Henson joined other global power women to advocate for mental health, partnering with kate spade new york for the Social Impact Council - a consortium of women whose goal is to reach 100,000 women with direct access to mental health and empowerment resources by 2025. “Women’s empowerment has been at the heart of our social impact efforts for over a decade and has become a core pillar of the kate spade new york brand,” CEO and brand president Liz Fraser said in a news release. “Mental health has long been undervalued, underacknowledged and underfunded. And yet, it is of more concern today than I ever.”

Women’s empowerment has been at the forefront of kate spade new york’s social impact work for over a decade and is a core pillar of the brand. Over the last ten years, kate spade new york and its Foundation have invested $25M in women’s mental health and empowerment partnerships. This year alone, kate spade will invest over $5M dollars to help destigmatize the mental health conversation and provide access to resources for women and girls globally. 

Alabama State University was selected as the recipient of the first Boris L. Henson Foundation Self-Care Wellness Pod (SHECare). The Boris L. Henson Foundation conducted a data analysis of HBCUs nationwide to determine the need for additional mental wellness support as students prepare to enter the world both personally and professionally. Alabama State University was chosen for its proven commitment to the wellness of its students and community. 

"The Alabama State University Family is honored and humbled to be selected as the first-ever HBCU to partner with two amazing advocates of mental health and wellness such as the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation and kate spade new york,” says Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Alabama State University President. “ASU is synonymous with innovation and history-making, working alongside our partners enables us to fulfill our commitment to what we deem as "Communiversity" which allows us to impact not only our campus, but also the broader community by advocating and raising the level of awareness regarding the absolute importance of mental health and wellness." 

“The stress of balancing college life, separation anxiety, relationship issues and depression commonly occur on college campuses,” says Dr. Joyce Loyd-Davis, Alabama State University Sr. Director of Health Services. “The Boris L. Henson Foundation Self-Care Wellness Pod will be impactful for helping students cope with these issues and focus on a healthy mental well-being, ultimately restoring JOY.”