|
Listen to this article here
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Mary J. Blige supports women – and planned a festival and summit to prove it. The Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit takes place in Atlanta over Mother’s Day weekend.
Of course, Blige has always focused on sisterhood through her music and other creative endeavors. Blige recently said the festival is “about women who want to elevate and keep moving forward.”
Naturally, the Strength of a Woman festival features opportunities for women to learn and grow in their strength through empowerment. Minority-owned and women-owned organizations are a focus.
“The Strength of a Woman festival and Summit lifts up our local minority- and women-owned local businesses and amplifies the voices of the women in our lives who continuously make our communities better through their lens of courage combined with compassion,” Blige said.
Strength of a Woman
The festival focuses on entertainment, wellness, tech, beauty, and financial literacy. The festival includes concerts, workshops, and other women-focused programs.
Of course, “These are some of my favorite singers,” said Blige, regarding planned performances by Chaka Khan, Xscape, and Omeretta the Great. Blige intentionally picked women entertainers who uplift other women.
Meanwhile, the Strength of a Woman festival is in partnership with Live Nation Urban. The festival begins with music concerts, followed by a comedy show. The second day features panels.
The event culminates with the Mother’s Day Gospel Brunch, held at Atlanta’s City Winery. The ticket-only event highlights popular contemporary gospel singers, including Kierra Sheard and Le’Andria Johnson.
Unsurprisingly, the festival is named for Blige’s 2017 album. Blige stated, “The idea for the festival came to us after early listening sessions of my latest album with my family and friends and women in the industry.”
Finally, Blige continued, “Each time, the people in the room would share a story, oftentimes of heartbreak or pain, but they always ended with joy and love and how their girlfriends or mom or sister helped them find their voice and strength.”
Naturally, Blige and her fellow performers are looking forward to the Strength of a Woman festival in May. Blige said, “I am proud to create this with my sisters and I look forward to an undeniably beautiful and special experience.”