Five Word Speech
"simply Put, Humans Need Humans."
- Taraji P. Henson
Webby Advocate of the Year is selected by a committee chaired by the NAACP and IADAS, and it aims to honor a recipient who uses their online platform to amplify their commitment to social justice advocacy. From using social media to disseminate poignant messages to activating a movement by using digital tools, the recipient of the award will embody a drive to energize diverse communities and create lasting social change for the betterment of society.
Taraji P. Henson is an acclaimed actress and producer whose platform extends far beyond performance. Through her Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, she has been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness in the African American community, working to destigmatize mental illness, increase access to services, and encourage open dialogue about mental wellness. Her advocacy for pay equity in Hollywood has sparked critical conversations about financial disparities affecting women and minorities in the entertainment industry.
Her activism includes support for LGBTQ+ rights and racial justice, further demonstrating her commitment to advocating for marginalized communities. Henson has expanded her immense following and digital reach to promote her advocacy work, engage with her audience, and inspire action worldwide. More recently, she expanded into entrepreneurship with TPH by TARAJI, an incredibly successful hair and scalp care line tailored for diverse hair types, showcasing her as a dynamic entrepreneur in the beauty industry and extending her commitment to health and self-care beyond the screen.
For her profound contributions to mental health, pay equity, and her broader advocacy work, combined with her entrepreneurial ventures, remarkable acting career, and strategic use of digital media to effect change, it is our great privilege to honor Taraji P. Henson with the 2024 Webby Advocate of the Year.