Taraji P. Henson looks glamorous in chic black gown during event for mental health non-profit named in honor of her late father
Taraji P. Henson continues with her on-going mission to help stamp out the stigma surrounding mental health issues in the African-American community.
The Empire star kicked off The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation's Inaugural 'Can We Talk?' Conference and Benefit Dinner In Washington D.C on Friday.
And in step with her eye for fashion, the 48-year-old star showed off her womanly curves in a black fitted one-shoulder dress at the high-end affair.
Making a difference: Taraji P. Henson hosted The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation's Inaugural 'Can We Talk?' Conference and Benefit Dinner In Washington D.C on Friday
Henson owned the black number that showcased her upper body with its one-shoulder design.
She was also able to flaunt her legs at a moments notice with the lengthy slit on the left side.
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Keeping with her fashion theme of the night, the actress wore a pair of open-toe black heels, and added an assortment of accessories that included dangling earrings, bracelets and her engagement ring.
On this night she went with natural curls and pulled her raven tresses back off her face.
Owning it: The Empire star showed off her womanly curves in a black fitted one-shoulder dress at the high-end affair
On a mission: The actress founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, which was named after her father, who struggled with mental health issues after serving in the Vietnam War
Some of the distinguished guests on hand included the likes of mental health experts, members of the United States Congress as well as actress Jennifer Lewis, radio host Charlamagne tha God, Isan Elba, who's the daughter of superstar actor Idris Elba and singer Traci Braxton and her spouse Kevin Surrant.
The two-day conference and foundation are geared at ending the stigma associated with mental illness, with the hopes of raising $500,000 that would go towards free therapy sessions for those in need.
'We are working to normalizing the conversation in our communities at a younger age to eradicate the stigma,' Henson said in a statement as reported by The Hype Magazine.
'We have to start somewhere – and I believe openly talking about it is a good place to start.
One goal: The hope is that the inaugural dinner raises $500,000 that would go towards free therapy sessions for those in need
Henson founded the non-profit in 2018 and named it after her father, who struggled with mental health issues after returning from serving his country in the Vietnam War.
She had felt for the longest time that she needed to do something to deal with the problem and that sometimes has deadly consequences.
'People are killing themselves. People are numbing out on drugs. Not everything is fixed with a pill,' she said.
Showing support: Actress Jennifer Lewis lent her support in a white and black number
Working it: At one point, Lewis played to the photographers in a burst of excitement
Boris Lawrence Henson died in 2006 at the age of 58 after battling liver cancer.
'My dad fought in the Vietnam War for our country, returned broken, and received little to no physical or emotional support,' the Empire star wrote in her 2016 memoir Around the Way Girl.
'I stand now in his absence, committed to offering support to African Americans who face trauma daily, simply because they are black.'
Gorgeous: Radio host Charlamagne tha God went with a black patterned tuxedo alongside wife Jessica Gadsden, who wore a black shoulderless gown
Famous friends: Taraji shared a hug with Traci Braxton
Darling duo: Kevin Surrant and Traci posed together as well
