As part of her social responsibility, renowned singer and actress Mary J. Blige has found a way to give back to her hometown.
J. Blige and Pepsi renewed their partnership to collaborate on the Pepsi x Mary J. Blige Strength of a Woman Community Fund, which will provide funding of up to $100,000 to community groups in Yonkers that support and uplift marginalized women.
The endeavor coincides with Pepsi’s re-entry as a co-presenting partner of the singer’s annual Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit, which will happen for the first time this year in May in New York.
On April 25, which is marked as Pepsi x Strength of a Woman Community Day at Westchester Community College, the money was announced. In addition to serving the community all day, guests heard wellness talks on boosting self-esteem, and economic empowerment from Dr. Kimberly Crawford and Shona Pinnock.
The occasion also featured a shopping excursion to give the women business necessities for readiness for employment.
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“Pepsi has been an incredible partner for the Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit since the start. Now, with their support, being able to come home to Yonkers to give back to and invest in the community I grew up in is all I’ve ever wanted. We hope to provide resources for local organizations striving to support and uplift women for even greater impact this year,” a statement from Mary J. Blige’s team stated.
The grant, established in collaboration with United Way of Westchester and Putnam, is available to Yonkers-based nonprofits that meet the needs of disenfranchised, underprivileged, or paycheck-to-paycheck women. If chosen, funds will be granted $5,000 to $20,000 to deserving groups that provide food security, financial stability, and education initiatives.
“We’re excited to deepen our partnership with Mary J. Blige by investing in the very community that has shaped her remarkable journey. The launch of the Pepsi x Mary J. Blige Strength of a Woman Fund exemplifies our shared vision with Mary to empower women, by enabling organizations to continue their valuable work,” Kent Montgomery, Senior Vice President of PepsiCo Industry Relations and Multicultural Development said.
