Witches in the air but we don’t care. Ghost and goblins everywhere. Me in my costume make people stare. All I can say is you better beware. On Halloween night you better say a prayer, spirits from the grave a lurking everywhere. Then again, have no fear; Halloween only comes once a year.
Having no fear at all is Taraji P. Henson, who appeared as a guest of the Westchester (NY) County Chapter of the Links, Inc., at a Champagne reception introducing Henson’s new book, “Round the Way Girl.” Fly as she wants to be, personable with an effervescent personality, Henson raised a glass in a toast, along with chapter president, F. Dianne Young, Vice President Terry Joyner and the other Link ladies, to all the round the way girls, everywhere.
The first chapter of the book focuses on Henson’s mom and dad, both of whom she loves dearly. The tumultuous relationship they had was, in Henson’s words, between them. “It was their journey, not mine,” she said.
She credits her dad, a Vietnam War veteran who returned from the war and became a statistic, as one who was always “unapologetically being himself.” She said, “He’d never give up, no matter how bad things got. He would just say, ‘I’m gonna get up tomorrow and fix it.’”
Her mom was the steady, strong one. She was patient and understanding of her Black man. Her mother also put what Henson described as “the quiet storm” within her. When she falls down, she has to get back up—and keep getting up.
The Sunday afternoon event was held at the Westchester County Community College, which boasts a beautiful campus tucked away in the county of Valhalla, N.Y. The stage of the Theatre Arts building proved to be the perfect setting for the one-on-one conversation between Henson and the moderator, where the audience hung on every word. Henson wasn’t shy about speaking her truth, as she stated, “If you are blessed to wake up every day, it’s your job to go out and be the best you can be, and ask yourself the question, ‘What’s my job to do today?’”
Among the questions posed as to who in Hollywood treats Henson most like the star she is, Henson answered Tyler Perry. “Tyler Perry treats me like royalty; that the work I am giving is Oscar-worthy, not built on ego.” she said. As for her role as Cookie on the hit T.V. show “Empire” (my fav), she said, “There’s no more hiding. I’m exposed to the world.”
With that exposure came the writing of her first memoir. “In the beginning I felt so exposed, vulnerable,” she admitted. “But then I realized my whole thing is to inspire. With all of the obstacles and hurdles God gave me, I just want to inspire someone else, which is why I pick the roles I think people need to inspire them.”
Having not escaped the abuse her father imposed on her mother, or the abuse she experienced from her son’s father, Henson said she has learned to forgive and move on, not to be a victim. “When you’re not the victim, you can look at things differently, learn what you have to learn, see the errors in your ways.” she stated. “We are all beautifully flawed humans. We are not here to judge; you can’t judge one flaw over another.”
Before leaving the stage to dash off to catch a plane, she said to the audience, “Live your truth, dream big. This is your journey. Not your parents’ journey. They brought you here. Now what are you gonna do? As parents, don’t interfere with your child’s passion. Let them find their passion. We’ve all got a story to tell.” Live yours, tell yours.
Like all Links chapters, the Westchester County Chapter, which just celebrated their 60th anniversary, participated in the Alzheimer’s Walk and held the 14th annual Karolyn Thomas Children’s Book Fair, hosts a gamut of programs ranging from those supporting children to those providing services for seniors. Check out the website to learn more about these wondrous works at www.westchestercountylinksinc.com.
Telling it like it is, is Jacob’s Soul Food Restaurant, at 130th Street and Lenox Avenue, now known for more than just fried chicken, curry goat, candied yams, collard greens, steamed cabbage and fried porgies. They now have live entertainment Sunday afternoons, and it ain’t hip-hop, rap, house or some other loud exotic beat. The small trio and featured singer can only be described as a living channel of down home soul music, ala Sam & Dave, Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. It’s yummy and foot stomping all at the same time. Whether you eat in, dine outside at the sidewalk café or order takeout, it’s all cooked without trans-fat. Double yum.
Combining food for the soul and a little tenderness was the NYU Langone Medical Center’s Perlmutter Cancer Center Gala, which celebrated the dedication of its physicians, scientists, nurses and medical staff, all leaders in diagnosing and treating patients with all types of cancer, with a fabulous affair held in the Grand Ballroom of The Plaza Hotel. Master of ceremonies for the evening was Golden Globe Award winning actor, Kyle MacLachian, who plays FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper in the groundbreaking series, “Twin Peaks,” and who holds enhancing cancer awareness close to his heart.
This year’s honorees were Mark B. Pochapin, M.D., Sholta/Leeds professor of gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, director, Division of Gastroenterology and vice chair for clinical affairs, Department of Medicine; Beatrice W. Welters, Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center board member, NYU Langone; and Anthony Welters, trustee, NYU Langone. According to Anthony Welters, the award meant so much to him and his wife, Beatrice, for two very important reasons. “It’s not about us,” he said. “It’s about bringing more attention to the area of breast cancer in more diverse communities, and moving forward, finding ways to be more supportive to first generation students, which is really our passion.
He added, “Of course, the event would not be complete without the presence of Ken Langone, who always has such a striking presence. Seventeen years ago, somebody asked me to get involved, and I said, ‘Why not?’ They have great doctors, and do great things. It’s been the most exciting thing I’ve ever done.”
Until next week … kisses.