NASHVILLE (AP) - Oscar-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson will be the keynote speaker at an event in Nashville on Tuesday.

Henson will speak at Tennessee State University's Women of Legend and Merit Awards, which recognizes the accomplishments of women in the community.

Henson currently stars in the hit musical drama "Empire" as Cookie Lyon. She is the recipient of the 2015 NAACP Image Award as entertainer of the year, and she earned an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress for her role in the 2008 movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

Henson also starred in last year's "From the Rough," which portrays former TSU golf coach Catana Starks, the first female coach to win an NCAA Championship.