Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Gives Back to Hometown
Mary J. Blige, the newly announced Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, is giving back to the community that helped launch her start. The “queen of hip-hop soul” has partnered with Pepsi to launch a $100,000 fund aimed at elevating and educating underserved women in her hometown of Yonkers, New York.
“It’s so fulfilling,” Blige told CNN. “It’s everything that my movement is about. I always wanted to give back, especially to the women in Yonkers.”
Blige’s Journey from Struggles to Empowerment
Blige’s early career was marked by passionate, yet often sad songs that reflected her own struggles with depression, substance abuse, and an abusive relationship, as explored in her 2021 documentary “My Life.” However, she persevered through it all, and in the process, learned that her healing could help others.
“My testimony was just to help. Helping so many people,” she said. “Helping people who were saying ‘Mary, me too. Me too.’ And if you could come through, what I could come through so can you.”
Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit
In 2022, Blige launched the “Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit,” a multi-day event filled with panels, concerts, and fellowship. The new fund is part of the outreach Blige feels called to do, created in partnership with United Way of Westchester and Putnam.
$100,000 Fund for Local Organizations
The funds will be distributed via grants between $5,000 to $20,000 to qualifying organizations that support programs in education, financial stability, and food security for underserved women in Yonkers.
“Pepsi has been an incredible partner for the Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit since the start. Now, with their support, being able to come home to Yonkers to give back to and invest in the community I grew up in is all I’ve ever wanted,” Blige said.
Homecoming Celebration
Blige returned home to announce the fund during a surprise appearance at Westchester Community College. This year, the festival and summit are moving from Atlanta to New York City, much to Blige’s delight.
“I love it. This is my home. This is where I was born and raised and this is where I wanted it originally,” Blige said. “I’m excited about it being here. And New York is excited, and the world is excited. Everybody’s coming to the thing.”
The “Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit” will run from May 10-12, and more information can be found at the event’s website.
