President Joe Biden has appointed Hollywood actress Taraji P. Henson to the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Henson shared the incredible news to her Instagram page.
“I am excited to announce that President Biden has appointed me to serve on his HBCU Board of Advisors,” she wrote. “Since taking office, the President and Vice President Harris have invested $5.8 Billion in HBCUs and I look forward to working with them to continue efforts to support these important institutions. ❤️”
Henson launched the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in 2018 in honor of her late father. The foundation provides scholarships to Black students majoring in mental health. It also offers mental health services to youth in urban schools and works to reduce the recidivism rates of African-American men and women.
According to the White House, the board aims to “increase the capacity of HBCUs to provide the highest-quality education to its students and continue serving as engines of opportunity,” according to the White House.
Biden appointed Tony Allen and Glenda Glover as chair and vice-chair of the board. Dietra Trent was named as executive director back in February.
Others named to the board include NBA star Chris Paul, Makola M. Abdullah, Javaune Adams-Gaston, Paige Blake, Thasunda Brown Duckett, Willie A. Deese, Patrick Cokley, Monica Goldson, Brett J. Hart, Beverly W. Hogan, Shevrin D. Jones, Walter M. Kimbrough, William F. L. Moses, Christopher E. Paul, Quinton T. Ross Jr., Ruth J. Simmons and Janeen Uzzell.
Lisa P. Jackson, who became the EPA’s first Black administrator in the Obama administration, will also join the board.
Allen shared that the board “will be an eclectic mix of the talent and commitment that defines Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) and those who recognize our tremendous value in higher education and in a smaller, more connected global community.”
