3 weeks ago
Mary J. Blige is bringing her ngo to empower women beyond her euphony to her hometown — pinch nan thief of nan singer’s superstar friends.
Taraji P. Henson, Tiffany Haddish and Jill Scott and different stars and experts will subordinate Blige for her Strength of a Woman Summit and Festival starting May 10. Her three-day arena during Mother’s Day play successful New York will characteristic concerts, drama shows, a gospel brunch, sheet discussions on pinch workshops focusing connected technology, beauty, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
On Thursday, organizers announced further speakers including Henson, Marsai Martin, Method Man, Larenz Tate, Tasha Smith, Michael Rainey Jr., Angie Martinez and Pinky Cole. The arena will beryllium hosted by comedian Jess Hilarious and podcaster Gia Peppers.
SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS' LONGTIME FRIEND MARY J. BLIGE HAS FANS THINKING SHE'S BURNED BRIDGES WITH THE MUSIC MOGUL
"We’re school each other, holding each different and uplifting each other," nan R&B vocalist said successful a caller interview. "We’re helping each different to prolong successful our businesses and prolong successful nan mental health and everything."
FILE - Mary J Blige attends nan CFDA Fashion Awards successful New York connected Nov. 6, 2023. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
Blige launched nan Strength of a Woman arena successful 2022 aft years of seeing women astatine her concerts "hanging connected each connection for illustration my life is theirs." The vocalist felt she connected pinch concertgoers erstwhile she delivered her ain heavy stories of overcoming pain.
"I was reasoning to myself, ‘Let maine do thing much than conscionable singing to them,’" said Blige, a nine-time Grammy victor who has won an Emmy, earned 2 Oscar nominations and will beryllium inducted into nan Rock & Roll Hall of Fame later this year.
"In nan mediate of my songs, it conscionable jumps retired of me," she continued. "Some benignant of words of inspiration. People emotion that. My squad and I thought, ‘Why don’t we conscionable create a show astir nan aforesaid thing?’"
After 2 successful years in Atlanta, Blige moved her show to her autochthonal New York City. She will clasp a monolithic performance astatine nan Barclays Center successful Brooklyn pinch impermanent appearances by 50 Cent, Scott, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Lola Brooke and Muni Long. Robert Glasper will header a jazz performance astatine nan Blue Note Jazz Club while Haddish will deed nan shape for a drama show astatine nan Apollo Theatre.
Along pinch entertainment, Blige said she wants to supply resources that will thief uplift and animate attendees to execute occurrence successful their lives.
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"I’m doing my job," she said. "I’m doing what I’ve been sent present to Earth for. I’m doing my occupation by uplifting women and letting them cognize you’re not nan only one. You tin travel present arsenic a safe haven and person comfort."
