The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation

What The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation does

The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018 by actress Taraji P. Henson and Tracie Jade Jenkins to address mental health stigma and access barriers in BIPOC and underrepresented communities, named in honor of Henson's father Boris Lawrence Henson who faced untreated mental health challenges after returning from the Vietnam War. The foundation operates a portfolio of programs rather than a unified software product: the Mental Wellness Support Program (MWSP) provides five free therapy sessions with culturally competent clinicians to individuals aged 12 and older; the Take A Minute Challenge delivers a 30-day school-based wellness curriculum deployed in K-12 districts such as Prince George's County; the Let's Talk! Resource Guide is a searchable online directory of 1,248 licensed mental health providers and alternative wellness practitioners; Self-Care Wellness Pods are repurposed shipping containers converted into physical mental health service spaces installed on HBCU campuses including Hampton University, Bennett College, and Alabama State University; and an African American Cultural Humility Training program plus a scholarship fund (Foundation, Legacy, and Heritage tiers up to $500,000 endowed) target workforce pipeline gaps given that approximately 4% of psychologists are Black.

The foundation distributes services through a hybrid physical-digital model anchored in trusted community spaces — HBCUs, beauty salons, barbershops, community centers, and K-12 schools — supplemented by celebrity-led events including the annual Can We Talk? Arts & Wellness Summit. Revenue is generated through individual donations (one-time, monthly recurring, text-to-give codes NOSTIGMA, CHOOSEJOY, BRIDGETHEGAP2024 routed to 707070), corporate partnerships (Kate Spade New York capsule collection with 100% of North America profits flowing to BLHF, BET as One Million Hours Joy Challenge premier sponsor and Can We Talk? Symposium title sponsor), impact investing opportunities, and donation-supported scholarship endowments. Operationally, the foundation runs with 1-10 employees, partnered provider networks rather than employed clinicians, and a celebrity-amplified brand that drives earned media in outlets such as NY Post, Essence, and Black Enterprise.

Name

The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation

Legal name

Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation

Website

https://borislhensonfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free mental health therapy, school-based wellness programming, HBCU campus Wellness Pods, and a culturally competent provider directory to BIPOC and underrepresented communities across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Services / Nonprofit Mental Health Advocacy

NAICS

Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (62133), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Offices of Other Health Practitioners (6213)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outpatient Mental Health & Counseling Clinics (HLAFABAC), School-Based Mental Health Therapy (Licensed Clinicians) (EDAKAMAD), Recreation Therapy, Stress Management & Mindfulness Programs (EDALAFAO)

Keywords

• Mental health services
• BIPOC advocacy
• Culturally competent therapy
• Community wellness programs
• Nonprofit mental health

Headquarters

HQ city

Beverly Hills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donors contribute through one-time donations, monthly recurring donations, and text-to-give campaigns (NOSTIGMA to 707070, CHOOSEJOY to 707070). The foundation operates as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, making all contributions tax-deductible.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with corporations like Kate Spade New York generate revenue through collaborative capsule collections where 100% of profits benefit the foundation. Corporate sponsors also support events, wellness pods, and programs.
3. Impact Investing: The foundation offers impact investing opportunities where philanthropic capital generates both social returns and positive community change in mental wellness initiatives.
4. Text-to-Give Campaigns: Mobile giving campaigns through text messaging allow supporters to contribute easily. Programs include BRIDGETHEGAP2024 campaign.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation provides free mental health therapy sessions, culturally competent provider referrals, school-based wellness programs, scholarship support for minority mental health students, and physical wellness spaces for BIPOC and underrepresented communities. Its offerings center on the Mental Wellness Support Program (five free therapy sessions), the Let's Talk! Resource Guide of culturally competent clinicians, the Take A Minute Challenge school initiative, Self-Care Wellness Pods on HBCU campuses, and integrated wellness programming (yoga, meditation, sound therapy, art therapy).

Product overview

The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation is a nonprofit mental health advocacy organization offering a portfolio of programs and services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include the Mental Wellness Support Program (MWSP) providing free therapy sessions, the Take A Minute Challenge school-based initiative, Hangouts (psychoeducational and wellness gatherings), and the Let's Talk! Resource Guide directory of providers. Additional services include scholarship programs for mental health students, Self-Care Wellness Pods on HBCU campuses, Cultural Humility Training, and The Unspoken Curriculum for schools. The foundation also runs the annual Can We Talk? Arts & Wellness Summit and partners on merchandise campaigns (Kate Spade collaboration) and the One Million Hours Joy Challenge with BET. These programs function as distinct service offerings within a nonprofit service model rather than an integrated product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Take A Minute Challenge: A 30-day school-based mental wellness initiative that brings simple, meaningful wellness practices into school communities through daily three-minute moments of care.
• Mental Health Scholarship Fund
• Wellness Pods
• The Unspoken Curriculum
• Mental Wellness Support Program (MWSP)
• Let's Talk! Resource Guide

Products and services

• Mental Wellness Support Program (MWSP) Free mental health program offering five complimentary therapy sessions with licensed, culturally competent clinicians. Designed for individuals aged 12+ facing life-changing events, stress, anxiety, depression, or hopelessness. Sessions are completely free for registered participants and filled on a first-come, first-served basis during open enrollment periods.
• Take A Minute Challenge 30-day school-based mental wellness initiative that brings simple, meaningful wellness practices into school communities through daily three-minute moments of care, including movement, breathwork, journaling, sound therapy, creative expression, and reflection. Includes Arts & Wellness Educator Training for teachers.
• Hangouts Supportive in-person gatherings including Psychoeducational Hangouts for guided mental health conversations, Integrated Wellness Hangouts featuring yoga, meditation, sound therapy, African dance, art, and somatic healing, and Joy Salons held in beauty salons, barbershops, and community centers.
• BLHF Scholarship Fund Mental health scholarship program offering Foundation Scholarships ($10,000 annual), Legacy Scholarship ($10,000 annual), and Heritage Scholarship ($500,000 endowed) to support African-American students pursuing careers in mental health.
• Self-Care Wellness Pods Innovative physical structures housed in repurposed shipping containers providing mental health resources in non-traditional spaces on HBCU campuses nationwide. Features include free therapy sessions, psychoeducation hangouts, yoga, meditation, sound therapy, art therapy, dance therapy, container gardens, and rest pods.
• Wellness Wednesdays Monthly integrative wellness and psychoeducational programming brought to HBCU campuses nationwide, offering engaging content for college students to nurture mental health and prepare for the workforce.
• African American Cultural Humility Training Comprehensive training program teaching cultural humility principles including self-reflection, recognizing biases, and developing skills for cross-cultural interactions in professional settings. Designed for mental health providers and practitioners working with BIPOC communities.
• The Unspoken Curriculum Program addressing mental health impacts within education systems for Black students ages 12-22, focusing on combating implicit bias, empowering youth voices, advocating for change, and catalyzing action.
• Let's Talk! Resource Guide Comprehensive online directory of mental health providers and integrated wellness practitioners designed to meet members of BIPOC and underrepresented communities where they are, with culturally relevant therapy referrals searchable by location and specialty.
• Can We Talk? Arts & Wellness Summit Annual multicultural arts and wellness summit focused on breaking down mental health stigma in marginalized communities through art, culture, healing practices, and celebrity participation. Tickets available through Whova registration portal.
• Joy Joints National Campaign Month-long celebration of joy and unity launched in recognition of World Mental Health Day, aiming to achieve collective 100,000 hours of joy while raising funds for free mental health services.
• One Million Hours Joy Challenge Partnership with BET to provide one million hours of free mental health services for the Black community, reaching communities through festivals, HBCU campuses, the entertainment industry, and community spaces.

Quantifiable outcome

• Goal to provide 1 million hours of free mental health services over five years
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kate Spade New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 February 2024Multi-faceted partnership including limited-edition capsule collection (100% of profits benefit BLHF), Wellness Pods on HBCU campuses, and the She Care Wellness Pod initiative. Taraji P. Henson joined Kate Spade's Social Impact Council in 2022. Partnership aims to destigmatize mental health and reach 25,000 young women.
• BET (Black Entertainment Television)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier sponsor of the One Million Hours Joy Challenge, an unprecedented partnership to provide one million hours of free mental health services for the Black community. Premier sponsor of the 2024 Can We Talk? Symposium.
• Bennett CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost site for third Wellness Pod installation, an all-women's HBCU in North Carolina. Pod provides free therapy, support spaces, and unique programming for young women.
• Hampton UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecond HBCU campus hosting She Care Wellness Pod providing culturally competent mental health services for women through partnership with Kate Spade New York.
• Prince George's County District 8minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for the 2024 Can We Talk? Symposium with Councilman Edward Burroughs III. Deepened local engagement for mental health initiatives.
• TikTokminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPanel sponsor for the 2024 Can We Talk? Symposium.
• First Focus On ChildrenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPodcast partnership hosting Taraji P. Henson and Tracie Jade on Speaking of Kids podcast discussing Black child mental health and cultural competence.
• District 8 Councilman Edward Burroughs IIIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with BLHF to bring Take A Minute Challenge across Prince George's County District 8 schools during Mental Health Awareness Month.
• Octet Film ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for storytelling component of Take A Minute Challenge, capturing student How Are You? prompts and amplifying student voices.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/blhfoundation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@borislhensonfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/blhensonfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/boris-lawrence-henson-foundation-official
• Instagraminstagram.com/blhensonfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation