Taraji P. Henson is an actor.
Taraji Penda Henson ( [ tə ` rɑːdʒi ] ; born September 11 , 1970 ) is an American actress and author . From 2011 to 2013 , she co-starred as Detective Jocelyn Carter in the CBS drama Person of Interest , for which she won an NAACP Image Award . The Karate Kid (2010 film) . It stars Jaden Smith , Jackie Chan and Taraji P. Henson in lead roles , and it was produced by Jerry Weintraub , James Lassiter , Ken Stovitz and Jaden 's parents Will and Jada .