April 13th 2024.
The city of New York is gearing up for the highly anticipated third annual Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit, led by none other than the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul herself, Mary J. Blige. This three-day event, set to take place from May 10 to May 12, promises to be a celebration of Black female excellence and empowerment.
One of the most exciting aspects of the festival is the fact that it has been organized by an all-Black female team, handpicked by Blige herself. From the marketing team to the management and staff members, every aspect of the festival reflects Blige's unwavering commitment to its message. In an exclusive interview with Forbes, she shared the thought process behind this decision.
According to Blige, Black women are often overlooked, underpaid, and underestimated in any industry. She wanted to shine a spotlight on the incredible talent and potential of Black women and show the world just how amazing they truly are. "This is my identity," she explained. "The whole goal is to elevate and sustain, not to stay in the same place. And you do that through entrepreneurship, by finding new ways to reinvent yourself and create revenue streams for longevity."
The festival boasts an impressive lineup of sponsorships, all owned by Black women. From Mielle Organics to On a Mission by Ciara, Sister Love by Blige and Simone I. Smith, and Sun Goddess Wines, these brands are a testament to the power and influence of Black female entrepreneurs.
The festival will kick off at the iconic Apollo Theater, led by the hilarious and talented Tiffany Haddish. The next day will feature a star-studded music lineup at the Barclays Center, including performances by Blige herself, along with Jill Scott, 50 Cent, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Muni Long, Lola Brooke, and Funk Flex.
Blige shared with Forbes that choosing to have the event over Mother's Day weekend was a deliberate and meaningful decision for her. "Mothers are extremely important because, without them, there would be no hip hop culture, as there would be no hip hop artists," she explained. "Mothers are the reason these people are here. They birth these people, and we have to always acknowledge that, especially on Mother's Day."
In true Blige fashion, she left us with some inspiring words: "Instead of being a Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, be the biggest and best Queen of Hip-Hop Soul in the world that you can be for yourself." And with that, we can't wait to see what this year's Strength of a Woman Festival has in store for us.
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