NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 17: Mary J. Blige attends the Ghost Season 2 Premiere on November 17, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for STARZ)
Mary J. Blige has 2022 eating out of her palms! The award-winning singer performed at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, released her 14th studio album, and even launched her inaugural Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit this weekend. But on Thursday, she earned an honor not often bestowed. The city of Atlanta honored Mary with her Strength of a Woman Day–named after her festival.
“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT WE, the members of the Atlanta City Council, on behalf of the citizens of Atlanta, do hereby celebrate music and cultural icon Mary J. Blige on this 5th day of May 2022 as we recognize “Strength of A Woman Day” in the city of Atlanta,” the proclamation said. “We honor her illustrious career and applaud her efforts and collaboration in hosting a wonderful festival and summit in our city with a focus on creativity and empowerment.”
City Councilwoman Keisha Sean Waites presented Mary with the high honor on Thursday night at the festival reception. According to TMZ, industry associates such as 2 Chainz, Kandi Burruss, stylist Misa Hylton, and music executive Kenny Burns attended the event.
In partnership with Pepsi and Live Nation Urban, Mary curated the accompanying May 6th-8th festival in Atlanta. A press release shared with The Shade Room listed “music, wellness, tech, beauty, and financial literacy” as festival and summit focal points. Not only that, the annual event was intentionally held over Mother’s Day weekend with women-led teams.
“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,” Mary shared via press release.
“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.”
Mary also expressed gratefulness to the event’s performers, vendors, participants, and co-festival creators Nicole Jackson and Ashaunna Ayars.
The press release lists Nicole as the Vice President of MJB Inc. Ashaunna is the brainchild behind The Ayars Agency.
Chaka Khan, Xscape, Ella Mai, City Girls, Kiana Léde, and Queen Naija to perform at the festival.
