Mary J. Blige’s title has at all times been synonymous with empowering others, particularly by her iconic music, however now she’s prolonged that status to a different profitable enterprise: the Energy of a Girl Competition. This yr, the Atlanta occasion made elevation, schooling, and empowerment the quantity purpose in each aspect of the four-day affair (Might 11-14) — from a shifting Mom’s Day gospel brunch and lavish home ball to full of life celebrity-led live shows. However that mission was most evident throughout Blige’s considerate summit held on Might 13 at AmericasMart, the place stars gathered to share knowledge about entrepreneurship, enterprise, well being, wellness, and extra with festivalgoers within the title of unity.
Strolling into the constructing — decked out with all kinds of cool activations, cubicles, and vibrant pink decor — felt like arriving at a household reunion. Effectively-known figures and attendees, each seasoned and younger, all communed collectively in a single house with the intention to create real connections and unfold a wealth of data. As a Black girl, it felt affirming to be surrounded by of us who appeared identical to me. And to assume, the occasion itself is barely in its second yr.
“It went from being a rooftop assembly on the Waldorf Astoria in Los Angeles to this, so it means lots that it is right here.”
Backstage on the occasion, Blige expressed to POPSUGAR how unbelievable it has been to observe her competition and summit develop from its humble beginnings as a easy concept conceived on a resort rooftop. “It is wonderful. It is surreal as a result of it was an concept we had two, three years in the past, myself and my group, and it is right here now,” the R&B icon defined. “It went from being a rooftop assembly on the Waldorf Astoria in Los Angeles to this, so it means lots that it is right here.”
Curated by Blige and Ayars Company founder Ashaunna Ayars, in partnership with Pepsi and Stay Nation City, the Energy of a Girl summit consisted of panel discussions and programming that highlighted the great thing about neighborhood amongst ladies. The all-day occasion was led by a number of the most influential Black voices throughout numerous industries — together with however not restricted to stars like Blige, Ciara, Marsai Martin, Angelica Ross, and extra — they usually all had one thing highly effective to bestow.
Throughout Martin’s hearth chat with fellow panelists Gail Bean, Brandee Evans, Raven Goodwin, and Mara Brock Akil, the 18-year-old actor and producer spoke concerning the energy she’s found from telling Black tales on display. “I am consistently rising. I began out on ‘Black-ish’ once I was 9 . . . now to have the ability to create my very own content material and rent individuals and fireplace individuals, be capable of create my dream tasks, my technique, and my plan are the very best accolades that I may ever have in my life,” she shared.
Elsewhere, the summit was full of extra touching moments, like when Blige graced the panel stage and was greeted by viewers members affectionately belting out lyrics from her hit track “Simply Effective.” Quickly after, the singer and “Energy E-book II: Ghost” star shared the inspiration behind her competition with the gang. “The thought course of got here from performing and watching the ladies within the viewers love and respect me, and love how my music has accomplished a lot for them,” Blige defined. “My music is a motion that has touched so many ladies and saved so many lives, so the summit is about that; what the music has accomplished, uplifting, encouraging, inspiring, and bringing us all collectively to like on one another.”
“Mary is the girl who has overcome all the pieces.”
Blige’s heartwarming intentions behind the second Energy of a Girl occasion have been evident in every setup; even stars themselves have been in awe of the ultimate end result. Chatting with POPSUGAR forward of her panel, Bean described being part of Blige’s competition this yr, saying, “Oh my God, it feels good.” The “Snowfall” and “P-Valley” star added, “It simply seems like previous Atlanta. We speak about previous Atlanta and new Atlanta, so seeing all of the Black individuals come out, rejoice it, love, success, a very good time, all the nice issues of Atlanta.”
So far as Blige being the face of the Energy of a Girl competition, Bean stated, “Mary is the girl who has overcome all the pieces. So to have the ability to see her right here standing, glowing, celebrating, placed on one thing, and pour again into us ladies simply lets you already know, one: redemption is actual. Two: the Black girl is undefeated. So it is type of a foreshadowing of what my future may seem like as a result of illustration issues.”
Certainly it does, and Blige could not be a extra good determine to characterize the power of a girl. This yr’s summit was proof.
