Taraji P. Henson's Ethnicity: African-American Heritage with Cameroon Ancestry

Taraji Penda Henson is one of Hollywood's most celebrated actresses, known for her Academy Award-nominated role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) and her Emmy-winning performance as Cookie Lyon in the Fox drama Empire. Born and raised in Southeast Washington, D.C., Taraji is African-American, with her matrilineal DNA tracing directly to the Masa people of Cameroon. She also shares a remarkable ancestral connection to polar explorer Matthew Henson, the first person of African descent to reach the North Pole.

Is Taraji P. Henson Mixed Race?

No, Taraji P. Henson is not mixed race. She is African-American through both of her parents. Her DNA analysis revealed that her matrilineal ancestry traces to the Masa people of Cameroon, placing the African roots in her heritage firmly in Central/West Africa. Her name reflects African cultural pride — both "Taraji" (hope) and "Penda" (love) are Swahili words, chosen to honor her African heritage.

Taraji P. Henson's Father: Boris Lawrence Henson

Taraji's father, Boris Lawrence Henson, was a janitor, metal fabricator, and artist of African-American descent. Boris was a significant figure in Taraji's life and she has spoken deeply about his influence on her. He was a man of creativity and resilience, and Taraji has honored his memory throughout her career. The Henson surname comes from her father's side — and it is through this Henson lineage that her remarkable connection to Arctic explorer Matthew Henson emerges.

Taraji P. Henson's Mother: Bernice Gordon

Taraji's mother, Bernice (née Gordon), worked as a corporate manager at Woodward & Lothrop, a now-defunct Washington D.C. department store. Bernice is of African-American descent. She raised Taraji in Southeast Washington D.C., one of the historically Black neighborhoods of the nation's capital. Bernice's influence gave Taraji a strong sense of identity, work ethic, and cultural pride.

DNA Heritage: The Masa People of Cameroon

Through mitochondrial DNA testing — which traces the unbroken maternal line — Taraji P. Henson's ancestry has been linked to the Masa people of Cameroon. The Masa (also spelled Mousey or Moussey) are an ethnic group from the Chad Basin region, in northern Cameroon and southern Chad. They are known for their rich oral traditions, distinctive cultural practices, and historical resilience. This DNA finding connects Taraji directly to her ancestral African homeland through her mother's mother's mother's line — an unbroken chain of African womanhood stretching back centuries.

African American DNA testing has become increasingly popular, offering descendants of enslaved people a window into the specific African ethnic groups from which they descended. For Taraji, this connection to Cameroon is a deeply meaningful part of her identity.

The Matthew Henson Connection

One of the most remarkable aspects of Taraji P. Henson's ancestry is her connection to Matthew Henson (1866–1955), the pioneering African-American explorer who was a key member of Robert Peary's 1909 Arctic expedition that claimed to be the first to reach the geographic North Pole. Taraji has stated that Matthew Henson was "the brother of [her] great-great-grandfather" — making Matthew Henson her great-great-granduncle. Matthew Henson was the first person in the expedition party to actually reach the North Pole, and his contributions were long undervalued due to racial prejudice. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1988. Having this historical explorer in her family lineage gives Taraji a profound and proud connection to African-American history.

Growing Up in Southeast D.C.

Southeast Washington D.C. is historically one of the most predominantly Black areas of the nation's capital, with deep roots in African-American culture, music, and community. Growing up in this environment shaped Taraji's cultural identity profoundly. She has spoken about the pride and resilience of her D.C. community, and how that background informed the strength and authenticity she brings to her performances.

Cultural Identity and Advocacy

Taraji P. Henson has been a prominent advocate for mental health awareness, particularly within the Black community. Her Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation — named for her father — works to address the stigma around mental health in African-American communities. Her advocacy and art are deeply rooted in her African-American identity and community values.

Spouse and Personal Life

Taraji P. Henson got engaged to former NFL player Kelvin Hayden in 2018 but they parted ways. She has a son, Marcell Johnson, from a previous relationship. As of recent reports, she has spoken openly about the challenges of finding love as a successful Black woman in Hollywood.

Taraji P. Henson on Her Identity

"I am a Black woman from Southeast D.C., and everything I am came from that place. My dad, my neighborhood, my people — that's my foundation."

Taraji has consistently centered her African-American identity in her public life and artistic work.

Photo and Media Gallery

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Taraji P. Henson as the iconic Cookie Lyon in Empire.

Family Tree

Conclusion

Taraji P. Henson's ethnicity is African-American, rooted in the rich culture of Southeast Washington D.C. and extending back through centuries to the Masa people of Cameroon. Her matrilineal DNA connection to Cameroon, her family link to Arctic explorer Matthew Henson, and her father's creative legacy all weave together into an identity of extraordinary depth and historical resonance. In her art, her advocacy, and her public voice, Taraji P. Henson embodies the complexity and brilliance of the African-American experience.

Sources

• Taraji P. Henson – Wikipedia
• Hidden Figures Actress Taraji P. Henson's Ancestor was First to Reach the North Pole – Hollywood Ancestry