Taraji P. Henson Shares 5 Books That Made a Difference

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Along with iconic roles like Cookie on Empire, Katherine Johnson in Hidden Figures, and Shug Avery in The Color Purple, Taraji P. Henson has been a longtime mental health advocate. In 2018, Henson founded the Boris Lawrence Henson foundation, which promotes mental health awareness and provides resources and services aimed at tackling the mental health crisis—particularly in the Black community. And with her latest project, Henson is promoting mental wellness and socialization to a younger audience.

Her first-ever children’s book, You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!), is out now, and it’s all about overcoming anxiety and embracing what makes you unique. In the story, Lil TJ discovers everything she does is a little bit different than her classmates, and she gets teased for it—which fills her with anxiety. Thanks to some wise words from her grandma, TJ learns to embrace her uniqueness and value the people who appreciate her for who she is.

Henson says her intention with writing the book was to really promote taking care of your emotions, no matter your age. “I wrote this book to encourage dialogues that support our mental wealth and the importance of having conversations early with ourselves, our children, and so forth,” she says. “It really was created to show kids that great things can happen and are possible when we approach each other with empathy, patience, love, respect, kindness, and understanding.” Upon the publication of her new book that is sure to leave a lasting impression, we asked her to share the books that made a difference in her own life.

Black Futures, by Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham

“This book signifies hope and imagination for what we as Black people can achieve and aspire toward. It’s a collection of work, images, tweets, and recipes that really evoked so many memories for me throughout my childhood and so on, so I often revisit this. No matter how much time I do (or don’t) have at that moment, I can always take something uplifting with me, and Kimberly and Jenna are incredible curators of culture.”

Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series, by Carrie Mae Weems

“Carrie’s book really highlights the significance of the table as a place for community. As she also references, it’s a place where life’s biggest moments can play out, and as I reflect, so many of mine have been shared and discussed over a meal, at the table. The images are a beautiful and honest snapshot at that moment, and it also represents a constant for me. We always have a table to gather at, whether it be at home, at a restaurant, or on a set, but it is where I have had my rawest moments with those closest. Plus, you can also enjoy a great glass of wine over a conversation at a table. That is big for me!”

Undiplomatic: How My Attitude Created the Best Kind of Trouble, by Deesha Dyer

“I loved this book as a fellow D.C. girl! Deesha exemplifies the importance of trusting and betting on yourself, which we all can identify with, and as I have spoken and written about, too. She is someone who we also became so familiar with and has cemented a place for herself in our culture and beyond for her work with the Obamas and at the White House. We need examples like her for our kids to continue to aspire to, and it’s a great read!"

Fifty Women’s Fashion Icons That Changed the World (Design Museum Fifty), by Lauren Cochrane

“I love a coffee-table book, too! There are so many brilliant fashion books, but this one, Grace Jones is on the cover! I don’t know that we need to say anything else, but it delves into some amazing women, many of whom I also admire. like Michelle Obama, Josephine Baker, Pam Grier, etc., and their history with fashion to make them the style icons we reference so often. One of my favorite things to do with my team is to explore fashion in any way possible, so books are another archival piece that we get to collect.”

Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband?, by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn

“When thinking of what to read on an airplane or during a vacation, I often gravitate toward books that are about traveling or adventures, have themes and characters with funny dynamics/shenanigans, often with a twist/mystery or even a little romance, too, and when it’s a smaller group or girls’ trip, a story that includes a little bit of everything. It came as a recommended read, and this book was exactly that: funny, relatable, witty, yet poignant. Yinka’s journey throughout the book provided a hilarious, and sometimes concerning, look-back trip down memory lane for my friends and me, as well as the opportunity to reinforce the importance of surrounding oneself with a supportive community, continuing to trust in God’s journey for you, and a reminder that a good sauvignon blanc or pinot noir pairs well with most anything else you need to keep it pushing.”

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