Taraji P. Henson hosts 5th annual Can We Talk? Arts and Wellness Summit
By Patricia McDougall
The Taraji P. Henson’s Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation held its fifth annual Can We Talk? Arts and Wellness Summit Oct. 10-12, 2025, at the Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland.
The three-day event was in honor of World Mental Health Day, which is recognized each Oct. 10. Attendees included speakers, cultural leaders, community leaders, vendors, health experts, artists, students and more. The “I AM The Table” Benefit Brunch was held on Sunday, Oct. 12 and was hosted by Taraji P. Henson. The brunch pulled together members of the community, legislators and
celebrities, including Grammy-award winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion; CNN anchor Abby Phillip; actress Sherri Shepherd; mental health expert and author Dr. Jay Barnett; award-winning celebrity chef Huda Mu’Min; Wanda Durant and more.
AFRO Photos/ Patricia McDougall
Taraji P. Henson, award-winning actress, filmmaker and producer, is the president and founder of Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF). Henson formed the organization to address the lack of culturally relevant mental health support for people of color.
Chef Huda Mu’Min, an award-winning television host, writer and Food Network champion, attends the benefit brunch for the 2025 Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF) annual conference.
Maryland State Delegate Jheanelle K. Wilkins (D-MD-20), chair of Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, flashes a smile on the red carpet of the “I AM The Table” Benefit Brunch at Gaylord National Harbor.
Dr. Briana Deneal-Findley (left), Summaiya Khalid, Sahaj Kohli and Dr. Lara Okanlawon participate on the panel titled, “All God’s Children Got Wings” at the Can We Talk? summit at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at the National Harbor.
Meditation guide Kayla Haley (left) and sound healer Marsha Banks Harold lead the morning meditation with students at the Boris L. Henson Foundation’s Can We Talk? wellness summit.
Shown here, Justice Oliver (left), Psalm Fowlkes, Caylen Peeples, Cameena Robinson, Alim Kabia, Prince George’s County Councilman Edward P. Burroughs III (District 8), Angelica Jackson, Brianna Boston, Valeria Hernandez, Sanaa Rodriguez, Nnenna Nwughala, Mariol Musa (back, right) and Williams Scott (front, center) at the Can We Talk? summit.
Tracie Jade (left), executive director of the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF), shares a moment with Prince George’s County Councilman Edward P. Burroughs III (District 8); Taraji P. Henson, president and founder BLHF; Prince George’s County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy; actress and Emmy-award winning daytime talk show host, Sherri Shepherd, and Dr. Jay Barnett, a therapist. The group gathered together on the red carpet of the “I AM The Table” Benefit Brunch at Gaylord National Harbor.
Thousands unite in Baltimore as Morgan State claims homecoming glory
By AFRO Staff
Thousands descended upon Morgan State University to attend the annual homecoming parade and football game on Oct. 11. The homecoming activities took place both on and off campus without incident, as a sea of orange and blue washed across the Northeast Baltimore campus. Young and old alike came together in a beautiful display of Black pride and unity to celebrate the institution, which was founded in 1867. The Morgan State University Bears faced off against the Virginia University of Lynchburg Dragons in a fight that produced a final score of 44-7, with Morgan taking home the win. AFRO staff photos
The Morgan State Marching Band, the Magnificent Marching Machine, takes to the field.
Members of the Milford Mill Academy Marching Band join in on the Morgan State University 2025 homecoming celebration.
Morgan State University player Randall Nauden (#20) scores a touchdown during the 2025 homecoming game against Virginia University of Lynchburg.
Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07) gets the homecoming crowd charged up.
Morgan State University player Justin Perry (#15 ) catches a pass.
Mister and Miss Morgan State University, Joseph Akinyemi and Destiny Fowobaje, enjoy the festivities with their crowns.
Darlene Carpenter (left) and Alexandria Ryce, members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., enjoy the 2025 homecoming tailgate.
The Morgan State University Class of 1975 is honored during the 2025 homecoming parade.
Dr. David Wilson, president of Morgan State University, addresses the homecoming crowd.
Aaron Deroux leads a stroll for the men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.