On the heels of Mary J. Blige’s second annual Energy of a Girl Competition and Summit in Atlanta (State Farm Enviornment, Could 11-14), occasion co-presenter Pepsi introduced it has partnered with Blige to current a scholarship to a deserving HBCU feminine scholar this fall. The forthcoming award is amongst $200,000 in donations to organizations and initiatives devoted to securing empowerment, schooling, elevation and fairness for Black girls.
Along with the inaugural PepsiCo x Mary J. Blige Energy of a Girl Scholarship, Pepsi is funding a number of native Atlanta organizations chosen in collaboration with Blige. Centered on empowering girls within the areas of wellness, expertise, finance and artistic arts, the chosen organizations embrace Silence the Disgrace, Metropolis of Refuge, Proper Hand Basis and Earth Woman ATL.
“Between Pepsi and [music partner] Dwell Nation City, I’ve some nice heavy hitters which are serving to me to learn our folks and all the ladies who’re popping out; which are serving to to uplift, encourage, encourage, give again and donate,” Blige tells Billboard. “And talking of donate, I’ve partnered with Pepsi to donate $200,000 on behalf of a faculty scholarship in addition to organizations that help and amplify girls throughout town. To maintain doing issues like this to assist the group is why I’ve partnered with such heavy hitters.”
Amongst Pepsi’s different programming initiatives on the Mom’s Day weekend occasion, which expanded to a further day this 12 months, is Pepsi Dig In. Supporting Atlanta-based female-operated, Black-owned eating places, the platform will present complimentary meals from Ms. Icey’s Kitchen, Gocha’s Breakfast Bar, Twisted Soul and Native Inexperienced Atlanta. Pepsi may even flip its highlight on Black girls entrepreneurs and changemakers by way of its Stacy’s Rise Mission and Doritos SOLID BLACK platform, internet hosting a dinner to honor girls who’ve made an influence on the firm and within the Atlanta group.
In a press release, PepsiCo senior vp, business relations and multicultural improvement Kent Montgomery stated, “The Energy of a Girl Competition and Summit has confirmed to be a strong platform for Pepsi and its manufacturers to create alternatives that convey long-lasting change to amplify and elevate girls. This 12 months, with much more occasions for followers to expertise, we need to acknowledge, rejoice and help the voices of the group from the unbelievable onstage expertise, together with the long-lasting Mary J. Blige, to the on-the-ground native restauranteurs and entrepreneurs whose imaginative and prescient and keenness encourage others.”
Rounding out the four-day Energy of a Girl Competition and Summit are two nights of concert events and a comedy showcase. The previous contains an R&B present starring Ms. Lauryn Hill, Summer season Walker and Muni Lengthy. The night earlier than will characteristic a particular “MJB B-Sides” set in celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. 9-time Grammy winner Blige and associates — Jodeci, Busta Rhymes, Jeezy, Jadakiss, Technique Man and DJ Drama — will roll out not often carried out hits.
Says Blige of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, “It means a lot as a result of we held on to our voices and to our expression. And we proceed to provide and to encourage different generations to talk their fact by way of hip-hop. And that makes me really feel good. As for the present that night time, you’ve simply acquired to return and see.”
Closing out the competition on Could 14 can be a brand new occasion, The Goal Ball. It should honor the LGBTQAI group and have a particular efficiency by Saucy Santana. “The Energy of a Girl Competition and Summit is about exhibiting love and the LGBTQAI group is part of our group,” says Blige. “We love and help them.”
Tying in along with her competition theme, Blige government produced two Lifetime unique motion pictures by way of her Blue Butterfly manufacturing banner. Borrowing their titles from her catalog of hits, each will premiere in June: Mary J. Blige’s Actual Love (June 10) and Mary J. Blige’s Energy of a Girl (June 17).
“On the finish of the day, actual love is one thing we’re all trying to find,” notes Blige. “However as soon as we discover it for actual, we discover it in ourselves. And that’s after we develop into actually robust girls.”
