Kate Spade New York Expands Mental Health Partnership With Taraji P. Henson

Kate Spade New York's 2024 partnership with Henson includes a limited-edition capsule collection and third Wellness Pod at Bennett College.

Kate Spade New York is embarking on a multifaceted initiative as the brand deepens its partnership with award-winning actress Taraji P. Henson and her Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF).

According to a press release, the partnership, beginning in February 2024 and timed to International Women’s Day, will include a limited-edition capsule collection featuring a green agate heart necklace and t-shirt symbolizing sisterhood and joy, one of the brand’s core values. The brand noted that 100% of North American sales will benefit the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation.

Grounded in the belief that strong mental health underpins women and girls’ empowerment, Kate Spade will reinforce its commitment to helping customers cultivate joy throughout 2024.

“For over a decade, we’ve been providing women and girls with access to mental health resources, globally advocating and using our platform to help destigmatize mental health issues,” Kate Spade New York CEO and Brand President Liz Fraser said. “With a shared goal of destigmatizing the conversation around mental health and BLHF’S commitment to providing resources centered in cultural humility, we’re honored to continue our partnership with Taraji and the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation.”

In 2024, the partners will launch a third Wellness Pod at North Carolina’s Bennett College, an all-women’s HBCU, advancing its goal of reaching 25,000 young women. The Pods provide free therapy, support spaces, unique programming like yoga and dance, and resources for issues like anxiety.

The partnership, rooted in destigmatizing mental health conversations, began in 2022 when Henson joined Kate Spade’s Social Impact Council. As previously covered by BLACK ENTERPRISE, it expanded in April 2023 with the launch of BLHF’s She Cares Wellness Pods at HBCUs like Alabama State to create accessible on-campus mental health resources. Hampton University in Virginia also took part in the “She Care Wellness Pods” program after the initiative landed on its campus in September 2023.

“Our teams connected on a fundamental, human level. When approaching a topic as personal as mental health, we know this work cannot be done alone. We need partners who share our commitment and have first-hand lived experience, much like we do,” Henson stated, according to the press release.

“She Care Wellness Pods” have been physically installed on campuses to offer female students free mental health therapy sessions, hangout spaces, rest spots, and resource workshops for anxiety, sleep deprivation, and insomnia. Certified practitioners also host unique programming like yoga, meditation, art and drama therapy, African dance, nutrition, and more.