10 Reasons Why Taraji P. Henson And Catana Starks Prove Black Girls Are Magic In “From The Rough"

“The arts changed my life for the better. But I always say the greatest recipe for success is having self confidence.”- Taraji P. Henson

1. This is Taraji P. Henson, an actress you may recognize from “Person of Interest”, “Hustle and Flow” and her Oscar-Nominated performance in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”.

Via necolebitchie.com

This is her AMAZEBALLS cover for Upscale Magazine. Let us take in the glory.

2. Her latest movie is titled “From the Rough” and it will be released on April 25th, 2014.

Via Facebook: FromTheRough

#RIP MICHAEL CLARKE DUNCAN

3. She’s playing Coach Catana Starks, a character based off of the real life Dr. Catana Starks.

Via newhssite2013.heartandsoul.com

Dr. Catana Starks is the first African American female head coach of an NCAA Division I men’s team. In GOLF. With no background coaching it or long-time experience playing it. She was a swim coach before taking the position as the men’s golf coach. Mega Impressive.

4. But,Taraji is no slouch in the education department as well.

Via pasadenaplayhouse.org

In fact, she graduated from the prestigious theater arts program at Howard University winning the Triple Threat Award in 1993. To put herself through school, she worked as a secretary in the Pentagon and a cruise ship singer at night. If that’s not impressive enough, she gave birth to her son Marcel in 1994 and still attended school, graduating from Howard in 1995. In a word: TOUGH.

5. Dr. Catana Starks, like Taraji, has a history of making adversity quiver in fear.

Via Flickr: tsuphotos

How so? Despite being asthmatic as a child, Dr. Starks went on to become both an accomplished swimmer and saxophonist. Despite a shaky beginning in the golf world, she coached Tennessee State’s men’s golf team for 20 years, winning the National Minority Championship in 2005. Oh and between that, she got a doctorate. No Big Deal.

#WINNING.

6. Both ladies know that while success is necessary, it is not more important than the personal development of those they care about.

Via youtube.com

For Taraji, it was her son Marcel. She often talks about the difficult journey all parents have in guiding their children to adulthood. Taraji takes a tough love approach in ensuring her son becomes a man, prepared to make it in the world before he enters college. Start at 1:39 and hear the wisdom DROPPED.

7. Catana? She was more than a coach. Ask her former player, Sam Puryear.

Via newhssite2013.heartandsoul.com

He states:

“It wasn’t all about golf with her. She stayed on us. At the end of the day, she was always there to support us. The biggest thing – and it happened when I first got there –she said, ‘Hey, you’re going to get a great education.’ That kind of stuck with me,” “Coach was great. She kept us focused. We played in good events. She fought for us to get better equipment, better tournaments and the whole nine yards.”

Sam also made history when he became the first African-American coach of men’s golf at Michigan State University, nominated for the Big Ten Coach of the Year nomination and a championship title in 2008. Another student, Sean Foley, became the swing coach for TIGER WOODS. Just pure WOW.

8. However, in the face of success, both women remain incredibly humble.

Via youtube.com

Start at :16 seconds and prepare to swoon in the breeze.

9. Dr. Starks summarized it perfectly.

Via newhssite2013.heartandsoul.com

“I’m really blessed,” says Starks, a Tennessee State alumnus and classmate of Olympic track and field star Wilma Rudolph. “I thought it was a really great honor. I’ve received a lot of emails from people I’ve taught. Students have read about it. It’s a wonderful experience.”

10. Hence what we know.

Via teespring.com

Plain and Simple.

Go see “From the Rough” on April 25th.