(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Taraji P. Henson has launched a new foundation in honor of her late father to fight the stigma and bring awareness to mental health issues within the African-American community.

The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF), named after her late father, will provide scholarships to African-American students majoring in mental health, offer mental health services to youth in urban schools and work to lower the recidivism rates of African-American men and women.

“I named the organization after my father because of his complete and unconditional love for me; his unabashed, unashamed ability to tell the truth, even if it hurt; and his strength to push through his own battles with mental health issues,” Henson said.

Taraji P. Henson Announces Engagement

The Empire star will be celebrating the foundation’s launch with a fundraising event, Taraji’s Boutique of Hope, on Sept. 22 in Los Angeles. Funds raised for the foundation will help provide resources to increase mental health support in urban schools. BLHF will also partner with school districts help to provide mental health therapists, social workers and counselors to African-American children in need and other nonprofit organizations that offer mental health wellness programs as well.

“BLHF is breaking the silence by speaking out and encouraging others to share their challenges with mental illness and get the help they need,” said Tracie Jenkins, executive director for the foundation. “African-Americans have regarded such communication as a sign of weakness and our vision is to change that perception.”