Fresh off her Super Bowl performance, Mary J. Blige is headed to Atlanta.
The music superstar announced the inaugural “Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit.” The festival will include three days devoted to music, comedy, and community building May 6-8. The festival includes a concert by Blige at State Farm Arena on Saturday, May 7.
Intentionally held over Mother’s Day weekend, the festival is unapologetically curated for and by women in the hotbed for creativity and culture. As a nine-time Grammy Award-Winning singer, songwriter, actress, producer, philanthropist & global superstar, Mary J Blige has committed the majority of her career to amplify, empower, and give voice to BIPOC women through the art of music and truth-telling.
This multi-touch-point festival, which focuses on music, wellness, tech, beauty, and financial literacy is the evolution of her life’s mission and purpose.
“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. 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. We felt like after two years of being inside and having to endure so much, that this was the type of experience that people, especially women, deserved,” stated Blige. “I’m so grateful to all of the performers, vendors, and participants for committing themselves to our inaugural event and I am so excited to do this in a city that has been rocking with me since the very beginning of my career. I am proud to create this with my sisters and I look forward to an undeniably beautiful and special experience.”
The festival is the brainchild of Blige, and her partners Nicole Jackson, Vice President of MJB Inc., and Ashaunna Ayars of The Ayars Agency. They’ve assembled a team of women to lead every arm of the festival from production to communications, an effort that echoes the purpose and vision of the festival. Ayars, Blige’s long-time partner shared, “This festival and summit were created for our friends, mothers, sisters, and the countless women who walk unapologetically in their truth and strength. Being able to bring an experience like this to fruition, especially with a dynamic team of Black women at the helm, is a dream come true. I’ve lived in Atlanta for several years and am thrilled that we’ll be able to give back to a city that has nurtured, supported, and amplified to the global stage so many Black artists and entrepreneurs. We are so grateful for Pepsi’s support in celebrating and honoring women, but also with their commitment via grants for the larger Atlanta creative & entrepreneurial community.”
Blige and partners chose Atlanta as the backdrop for this inaugural event given its reputation as the mecca for young black creatives and entrepreneurs. The festival is proud to partner with dozens of local, minority, and female-owned businesses and vendors to help cultivate the best experience for attendees. The love for Atlanta is reflected not only in the festival’s investment into the local entrepreneurial community but also in the performers and hosts for the various events over the weekend. Andre Dickens, Atlanta’s newly elected Mayor, is excited to support the festival, stating, “For generations, the foundation of Atlanta’s resilience has been built and fortified by women. 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. Thank you to Mary J. Blige—one of our nation’s most iconic artists and no stranger to Atlanta—and her partners for choosing Atlanta for this inaugural event. Atlanta continues to influence everything.”
Kicking off the weekend is the concert at Tabernacle Atlanta, curated to highlight youth culture and emerging Hip-Hop and R&B superstars such as Kiana Ledé, Emotional Oranges, Inayah, MK XYZ, Omerettá the Great, and more. Rounding out the night is the comedy show at Buckhead Theater hosted by Atlanta radio personality Wanda featuring the hilarious Ms. Pat and more. The festivities for Saturday, May 7 start off at The Gathering Spot ATL with the Strength of a Woman Summit—the ultimate destination bringing the festival’s mission and purpose of empowerment, elevation, and education to life via engaging workshops and panel discussions. The fun continues at the State Farm Arena with the second concert night with what is sure to be memorable performances by Mary J. Blige and special guests, Chaka Khan, City Girls, Ella Mai, and Queen Naija, and more, hosted by Kenny Burns. The culminating event is the Mother’s Day Gospel Brunch on Sunday, May 8. Hosted at the beautiful City Winery, the ticketed brunch service will feature Gospel music’s hottest artists including Kierra Sheard, Le’Andria Johnson, and more.
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