This Spring, Coppin State University is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership with The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation and Kate Spade New York to introduce the SheCare Wellness Pods. These pods, conceptualized by actor, filmmaker, and founder of The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, Taraji P. Henson, along with Tracie Jade Jenkins, Executive Director of the foundation, are set to revolutionize mental health support on HBCU campuses. After a successful launch at Alabama State University, Hampton University, and Bennett College, Coppin State University has been selected to participate in the program. Coppin State will be the first university to have indoor pods. Traditionally, the pods are outside features on the campuses. However, Coppin decided to repurpose an indoor space on our campus which allows year-round usage without interruption and increases the impact of the services being provided.
The SheCare Wellness Pods are designed to offer a safe and nurturing environment where students can prioritize their mental well-being. Equipped with essential resources and tools, these spaces will empower students to effectively manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. The initiative aims to reach over 25,000 Black women on HBCU campuses with frontline mental wellness care. It focuses on destigmatizing mental health conversations in marginalized communities.
Launching this semester, the SheCare Wellness Pods will offer Coppin State University students a range of services, including:
• Free mental health therapy sessions tailored to female students dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression.
• Hangout areas for psychoeducation sessions, fostering connections between students and mental wellness professionals.
• Holistic self-regulation programs to explore wellness through guided yoga, meditation, art, sound healing, and dance therapy, with each practice designed to support emotional balance and mental clarity.
• Interactive workshops that address student concerns like anxiety management, sleep challenges, and emotional resilience, equipping participants with practical tools.
• Quiet spaces designated for rest, mindfulness, and personal reset that offer a break from the demands of everyday life.
This initiative promises to redefine mental health support at Coppin State University, setting a precedent for comprehensive student care and well-being.
"When we first had the idea to create the Boris L. Henson Foundation SheCare Wellness Pods, I knew we had to start with women, and specifically women on HBCU campuses. Growing up, women are told to suppress their feelings, tending to the needs of family and community, often at the expense of their own well-being," said BLHF Executive Director, Tracie Jade". “It has been an amazing journey with kate spade new york, bringing our shared vision to fruition over the past few years. We are proud to open our next installment at Coppin State University this Spring, a neighboring city to my hometown that I know I love,” added Henson.
"At Kate Spade New York, we believe that mental health is foundational to women’s empowerment, and recognize that it has long been under-acknowledged, underfunded, and stigmatized. We are committed to increasing accessibility of mental health resources to women and girls around the globe through our social impact work and trusted partners in this space," said Taryn Bird, Executive Director of Global Social Impact at Kate Spade New York.
"We are excited to collaborate with Taraji P. Henson, The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, and Kate Spade New York to bring the SheCare Wellness Pods to our campus," said Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins, President of Coppin State University. "This partnership reflects our shared dedication to enhancing the mental health and well-being of our students. By offering these resources, we aim to empower our students to take ownership of their mental health and thrive in every aspect of their lives".
Each She Care Wellness Pod is thoughtfully crafted to inspire joy, tranquility, and a sense of calm, using purposeful design elements and an intentional color palette. The mural serves as a visual tribute to the campus’s unique spirit, shaped through the lens of its students. One student, selected by the campus leadership team, is given the opportunity to design this mural. Their artwork aims to capture the rich diversity and intersecting identities of the women within their campus community.
“I drew inspiration from the concept of ‘Fanny's Garden,’ an idea that pays homage to the incredible legacy of our namesake. The concept speaks to the nurturing spaces that women create, places where softness meets resilience and growth blossoms.” said Veronica Ishii, the Coppin State student and mural artist. “It highlights the unwavering strength we receive from being in community. Through our shared experiences and mutual support, we empower one another to flourish and thrive, creating a tapestry of interconnectedness that captures the joy of womanhood.”
For more information about the She Care Wellness Pod, visit
https://www.coppin.edu/scwp. About The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation
Founded in 2018, The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF) has built its reputation on providing trusted referrals and demonstrating a deep understanding of the population health of communities of Color. Through timely and relevant programming and awareness campaigns, BLHF encourages mental wellness, raises awareness of the stigma and the use of stigmatizing language when referring to mental illness, and provides mental health resources to marginalized communities.
The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation is charting a new course that encourages Black individuals to own their history, heritage, and collective wounds in empowering, empathic, and transformative ways.
For more information, visit
https://borislhensonfoundation.org/. About Kate Spade New York
Since its launch in 1993 with a collection of six essential handbags, Kate Spade New York has always stood for color, wit, optimism, and femininity. Today, it is a global lifestyle brand synonymous with joy, delivering seasonal collections of handbags, ready-to-wear, jewelry, footwear, gifts, home décor and more. Known for its rich heritage and unique brand DNA, Kate Spade New York offers a distinctive point of view, and celebrates communities of women around the globe who live their perfectly imperfect lifestyles. Kate Spade New York is part of the Tapestry house of brands.
Through its social impact work for over a decade, kate spade new york has invested in and advocated for causes supporting good mental health, with the goal to cultivate greater access to joy and empowerment for women around the world. In 2025, kate spade new york set a target to reach 250,000 women and girls with access to mental health resources by 2030.
About Coppin State University
Coppin State University, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is a historically black university dedicated to providing high-quality education and fostering a supportive and inclusive community. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence, Coppin State University prepares students to be leaders in their fields and communities.
For more information, visit
https://www.coppin.edu/.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Monday, April 28th 2025 at 8:19PM
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