A youth-led mental health initiative founded by young advocate Mila Henry has expanded from a local effort in central Virginia to a multi-state distribution network after receiving a $550 microgrant backed by rapper Megan Thee Stallion's philanthropic organization. Launched in January 2024, the nonprofit project, known as MH Boxes, assembles and delivers self-care packages designed to support the mental wellness of Black girls. According to The Times of India, the initial seed funding came through the #BlackGirlJoyChallenge, a collaborative grant program operated by Megan Thee Stallion's Pete & Thomas Foundation and the Southern Black Girls & Women's Consortium.
What began as a localized effort to normalize mental health conversations among peers has since grown into an active regional operation. By partnering with schools, educators, mental health providers, and community groups, Henry's organization has turned a modest initial award into thousands of delivered care packages across the United States.
From Personal Experience to Grassroots Action
The concept for MH Boxes grew directly out of Henry's personal history with mental health challenges. Prior to launching the nonprofit in January 2024, Henry experienced anxiety and underwent mental health treatment. Recognizing a gap in accessible, culturally affirming wellness resources for young peers facing similar struggles, she designed the project to respond directly to the needs she had encountered during her own recovery.
Each MH Boxes package is curated with practical items intended to encourage self-reflection, stress relief, and open dialogue surrounding emotional well-being. The boxes include written affirmations, journals, fidget toys, and additional self-care tools. Rather than functioning as a clinical intervention, the kits serve as supplementary wellness tools designed to reduce the stigma often attached to seeking mental health support.
Initial distributions focused on central Virginia, where Henry worked alongside local school systems, community organizations, and mental health professionals to identify recipients and place the boxes directly into the hands of young Black girls.
The Role of the Pete & Thomas Foundation
Megan Thee Stallion established the Pete & Thomas Foundation in 2022 to honor the memory of her late parents. The nonprofit focuses on providing resources across education, housing, and health and wellness, with a particular emphasis on underserved communities.
To execute the 2024 edition of the #BlackGirlJoyChallenge, the Pete & Thomas Foundation partnered with the Southern Black Girls & Women's Consortium. The initiative was structured to bypass traditional, high-barrier philanthropic red tape by putting direct microgrants into the hands of youth leaders. During the 2024 cycle, Henry was one of 100 young women selected to receive a $550 grant to bring a community-focused idea to life.
Henry's work with MH Boxes eventually drew further recognition from the hip-hop artist's organization. In a summary of earlier coverage from Axios, The Times of India noted that Henry was presented with the Pete & Thomas Foundation's Young Humanitarian Award during an event in New York, where Megan Thee Stallion publicly praised her community efforts.
Tracking the Project's Distribution Growth
As the initiative scaled beyond Virginia, reported delivery milestones have varied across different timelines and public summaries. Because independent third-party audits of the distribution figures are not publicly available, public tracking relies on numbers reported by the nonprofit and summarized in media coverage.
Citing earlier reporting from Axios, The Times of India noted that MH Boxes had distributed 1,600 care packages across five states as of July 2025. While the outlet's headline also references a milestone of more than 2,200 care packages delivered, the body of the October 24, 2026 report points to a higher figure listed on the MH Boxes website, which states the nonprofit has delivered 3,303 boxes across 17 states and Washington, DC. The variations in the reported package counts appear to reflect different stages of the organization's expansion between 2024 and late 2026, though specific cutoff dates for each tally have not been independently verified.
What Microgrants Mean for Youth Advocacy
The trajectory of MH Boxes highlights a broader trend within celebrity philanthropy: the shift toward micro-granting as a mechanism for community impact. In traditional nonprofit models, securing seed money often requires formal 501(c)(3) status, grant-writing expertise, and administrative overhead that automatically exclude teenagers and young adults.
By distributing $550 awards to 100 individual recipients, the collaboration between the Pete & Thomas Foundation and the Southern Black Girls & Women's Consortium demonstrates how modest capital can validate a young person's concept early on. Once a youth project establishes a tangible track record—such as assembling its first batch of supplies for local Virginia schools—it becomes much easier for the founder to attract secondary donations, school partnerships, and regional media attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does MH Boxes provide clinical mental health services?
No. Based on available reports, MH Boxes does not offer clinical treatment or medical referrals. The care packages—containing journals, fidget toys, and affirmations—are designed as supplementary self-care kits to encourage conversations about emotional wellness and provide culturally affirming support.
Why do the reported numbers of delivered boxes vary?
Different distribution totals correspond to different reporting periods and sources. Earlier coverage from July 2025 cited 1,600 boxes across five states, while a summary figure referenced more than 2,200 packages. By October 2026, the nonprofit's website reported a total of 3,303 boxes distributed across 17 states and Washington, DC.
How was the #BlackGirlJoyChallenge structured?
The 2024 challenge was a joint effort between Megan Thee Stallion's Pete & Thomas Foundation and the Southern Black Girls & Women's Consortium. The program awarded $550 microgrants to 100 young women to help fund grassroots projects and community wellness initiatives.
