Co-Hosted by Comedian and Co-Host of The
Breakfast Club Jess Hilarious And
Award-Winning On-Air Talent, Entertainment Journalist, and
Podcaster Gia
Peppers
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NOW
APPLY HERE
NEW
YORK, May 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today,
Mary J. Blige, PEPSI®,
Live Nation Urban and MVD Inc. announce the talent, official
sponsors and exclusive experiences offered at the third annual
Strength of a Woman Summit, being held Saturday, May 11th at The Glasshouse in
New York City. This year's event
will be co-hosted by comedian and co-host of The Breakfast Club,
Jess Hilarious and award-winning on-air talent, journalist
and podcaster, Gia Peppers.
The event is free for everyone who completes the registration form
HERE.
The Strength of a Woman Summit is the ultimate destination that
brings the festival's mission and purpose of empowerment,
elevation, education, and equity to life with inspiring
programming, pivotal panels, keynote speakers, workshops and
experiences, focused on wellness, culture, finance and
entrepreneurship, style, beauty, podcasts and much more. Notable
key speakers, for the free event, include Taraji P. Henson,
Tasha Smith, Method Man, Marsai
Martin, Larenz Tate, Angie Martinez, Pinky
Cole Hayes, Crystal Renee
Hayslett, Misa Hylton, Bevy
Smith, Claire Sulmers, Michael Rainey Jr. and more. GRAMMY and Emmy
award-winning and Oscar-nominated artist, actress, producer,
entrepreneur and founder of Strength of a Woman Festival and
Summit, Mary J. Blige will also
participate in one of the panel conversations. Blige's intention
for the Summit is not only to bring incredible talent to the stage,
but to provide the New York
community with resources that will help uplift, inspire, and equip
attendees to achieve success in each of the focus areas.
The Strength Of A Woman Summit is free for attendees, due to the
tremendous support of its official sponsors Mielle Organics,
Verizon Business, Starz, and ASCAP.
PEPSI®, the festival's returning partner, will be on-site
to offer attendees delicious food, custom cocktails and mocktails
and complimentary beverages at the Pepsi Dig In Village, capturing
the diverse flavors of the major foodie city. Pepsi Dig In,
the brand's platform designed to drive access, business growth, and
awareness for Black-owned restaurants, will spotlight and feature
dishes from five female-owned restaurants: Slutty
Vegan, Melba's, 2 Girls & A Cookshop, Aunts Et
Uncles and Je T'aime Patisserie.The food will be available for
purchase throughout the day to go towards supporting these
businesses.
Guests can make every bite better with Pepsi and pair their
flavorful meals with Pepsi-inspired craft cocktails and mocktails
created by mixologist Camille
Harris, as well as with refreshing beverages including
Pepsi, Pepsi Zero Sugar, Pepsi Wild Cherry, Pepsi Zero Sugar Wild
Cherry, Starry, Starry Zero Sugar, bubly sparkling water, and
LIFEWTR.
Additional Sponsored Activations and Experience Offerings
Include:
The panels are only one star-studded component of the Summit.
Activations include a tooth gem station where more daring visitors
can Get Gem'd and add a little sparkle to their smiles, as
well as a myriad of memorable photo moments to capture them. A lush
build-your-own bouquet bar allows the romantics to hand pick their
favorite blooms from an array of seasonal flowers and verdant
accents to create distinct floral arrangements reflective of their
unique style.
Guests can explore "Mary's Living Room," a welcoming
sanctuary featuring the varietals of the Sun Goddess wine
collection, Sister Love's bold jewelry designs and the specially
made Strength of a Woman merch. They'll also immerse themselves in
the music and memories of Mary J.
Blige's "My Life" in our
custom listening booth, created as a special tribute to the 30th
anniversary of the iconic album.
In addition to Pepsi's Dig In Village, Mielle's beauty carousel
boasts hair demos and services with an onsite hairstylist and
giveaways of their must-have products. Verizon Business is also
inviting attendees to delve into the brand's suite of small
business offerings while also enjoying complimentary charging
services of their mobile devices.
Created and curated by the iconic GRAMMY award-winning singer
and songwriter, Mary J. Blige,
Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit is the only festival
experience in the market, brought to you exclusively by an
all-Black, female team, and will arrive this spring to the
birthplace of Hip-Hop, New York
City. After selling out in less than 72 hours last year, the
festival will bring, what is sure to be, iconic moments with three
incredible nights of music and entertainment.
For additional details on the events at the 2024 Strength of a
Woman Festival and Summit, presented by Pepsi® – including
tickets for Mary J. Blige's
headlining performance at Barclays with special guests, schedules,
attendee registration, talent line-up and more,
visit https://www.soawfestival.com and follow our Instagram,
@soawfestival.
Summit Schedule:
*Doors will open at 9:30 AM.
Welcome from Jess Hilarious
Morning Motivation and Prayer Featuring Tasha Smith
From Crisis to Care: Navigating Mental Health in the Black
Community
- Time: 10:20-11:05 AM
- Program Description: True wealth is mental wellness.
We're bringing together
powerful Black voices to drop gems on managing life's everyday
challenges while keeping our minds on point. This isn't just a
panel — it's a roadmap to inner strength, grace and resilience.
Discover practical self-care strategies and unlock a healthier,
happier you.
- Moderator: Kristi
Henderson, DE&I Executive & Planned Parenthood LA
&
California Affiliates Board Of Directors
- Talent: Dr. Thema, Notable Black Psychologist;
Shanti Das, CEO/Founder of
Silence the Shame; Sharon Content, CEO/Founder Children of Promise
NYC
Respect the Architect: Become the Architect of your
Life
- Time: 11:10-11:40 AM
- Program Description: From styling music icons to shaping
cultural trends, Misa
Hylton has left an indelible mark on fashion and entertainment. Get
ready to be inspired as the fashion icon and her specially curated
guests share their secrets to success and resilience through
undeniable creativity across the board. Don't miss a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to embrace your unique vision,
unlock your potential, and chart a course towards designing the
life you've always wanted.
- Moderator: Misa Hylton,
Image Architect & Designer
- Talent: LaTonya
Blige-DaCosta, COO of MJB Productions; Simone I. Smith,
Jewelry Designer; Madison Star Brim,
Artist, Designer, Birthworker
Operation Secure The Bag: The Keys to Unlocking Financial
Freedom
- Time: 11:45-12:30 PM
- Program Description: Level up and learn wealth-building
strategies from
corporate executives as a discussion about financial freedom takes
center stage. The conversation is brought to you by Pepsi Dig In
—the brand's platform designed to drive access, business growth and
awareness for Black-owned restaurants, by providing resources,
mentorship, and training to restaurateurs to upskill their
businesses. Join us for a conversation on entrepreneurship,
financial planning, and how the Black community can crack the
economic ceiling IRL. Don't just dream of setting yourself free —
gather the real keys to stacking generational coins. Your journey
to prosperity starts here.
- Moderator: Pinky Cole
Hayes, Founder/CEO Slutty Vegan and Bar Vegan
Authority, Philanthropist
- Talent: Rosezena "The BizLawyer" Pierce, CEO &
Founding Trademark Attorney
of R.J Pierce Law Group, P.C.; Nicole
George-Middleton, SVP, Membership, ASCAP; Sherrese Clarke Soares, CEO/Founder Harbourview
Equity Partners
Girl Talk with MJB
- Time: 12:35-1:35 PM
- Program Description: The girls are talkin'! Experience
this unfiltered
conversation that celebrates the magical bond of Black women's
friendships as MJB and her celebrity besties Angie Martinez, Taraji P. Henson and
Tasha Smith talk about life, love,
dating, and everything in between. Celebrate the strength and
sisterhood of Black women as we toast to the joys and triumphs of
everyday life with the women we love most!
- Moderator: Angie
Martinez, Radio Icon, Creator and Host of Angie Martinez
IRL (In Real Life)
- Talent: Mary J. Blige;
Taraji P. Henson, Actress; Tasha
Smith, Actress/Director
You CAN Sit With Us: Cultivating and Maintaining Sustainable
Community
- Time: 1:40-2:25 PM
- Program Description: Explore the power of community and
friendship as we
discuss ways to foster healthier connections among Black women.
From overcoming toxic environments or friend groups to embracing
inclusivity, discover the keys to building meaningful
relationships. Don't let societal barriers break us — it's time to
redefine sisterhood and create a space where everyone belongs.
- Moderator: Gia Peppers,
Award-Winning On-Air Talent, Entertainment
Journalist, and Podcaster
- Talent: Heather Lowery,
Founder Next Gem Femme; Marsai Martin, Actress;
Crystal Renee Hayslett, Actress,
Producer, Host; Shari Bryant, Co
President of Roc Nation Label
Verizon Small Business Panel - The State of Small Business:
How Female Leaders Can Be The Driving Force of Change
- Time: 2:30-3:00 PM
- Program Description: Small businesses are the fabric of
communities across
the country, often having a significant economic impact on a local
and national scale. Women-owned businesses continue to increase –
ranging in the millions if not tens of millions. So, how can female
leaders drive true change within their organizations and in the
broader business landscape?
Join us for a lively conversation with Verizon Business leaders
focused on the state of small business, the importance of
prioritizing diverse voices, and how we as women are uniquely
positioned to navigate the extraordinary challenges many businesses
are facing today. Panelists will zero in on trends they're seeing
in the field and what is resonating most with small businesses,
such as new technology and social constructs, taking a deep dive
into how we can support both the individual business owner and the
communities they operate in. And finally, the discussion will cover
how organizations like Verizon are championing small businesses,
from tailored solutions, to programs such as Small Business
Digital Ready, which offers over 50 courses, peer networking, 1:1
expert coaching and incentives such as grant funding to small
businesses across the country.
- Moderator: Brave Williams, Entrepreneur, Multi-unit
Developer & Owner, Be
BRAVE Founder & CEO
- Talent: Aparna Khurjekar,
SVP & CRO, Business Markets & SaaS;
Dawn McNellis, Senior Director,
Business Sales; Sonal Patel, Vice
President, Business Marketing
We Set The Trends: Developing Your Personal Style
- Time: 3:05-3:35 PM
- Program Description: Don't know which looks match your
vibe? Say less. Gain
the skills you need to elevate your style game and discover how
Black culture influences fashion from designer OGs and today's
rising influencers who are innovating the style & beauty
industries. It'll be an electrifying celebration of Black trends,
creativity, and individuality.
- Moderator: Bevy Smith, Author, TV and Radio Host
- Talent: Claire Sulmers,
CEO/Founder, Fashion Bomb Daily; Kim
Kimble,
Celebrity Hairstylist, Entrepreneur; Tahira
Wright, Founder, The Cut Life
Black Women's Health: Everything Your Mother Never Told
You
- Time: 3:40-4:20 PM
- Program Description: Trust. This isn't your mother's
typical health talk. In fact,
it's an eye-opening discussion that will delve into rarely
discussed topics from fibroids to perimenopause to that feeling you
get when "your nerves are bad." We're breaking the silence and
equipping you with the tools not passed from generation to
generation. Don't miss a chance to learn new knowledge and reclaim
more power.
- Moderator: Tunde
Oyeneyin, New York Times Best Selling Author, Peloton
Instructor and Global Nike Athlete
- Talent: Bea Dixon,CEO, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation
Officer of the Honey
Pot Company; Coach Gessie Thompson,
Health Activist & Founder, The Detox Now; Dr. Stephanie Thompson, Reproductive Endocrinology
and Infertility (REI) Physician
Our Men Honor the Strength of a Woman
- Time: 4:25-5:10 PM
- Program Description: Join us for a dynamic discussion
led by a lineup of
influential male voices who will share their love of Black women.
Don't miss your chance to hear firsthand from the men who recognize
and appreciate the strength, beauty, and magic of Black women.
- Moderator: Da'Vinchi, Actor
- Talent: Method Man, Actor; Larenz Tate, Actor; Michael Rainey Jr., Actor; Mekai Curtis,
Actor
Closing Remarks
The Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit is produced by MVD
Inc., an internationally acclaimed creative production agency led
by co-founders and sisters Miatta
Johnson and Massah David.
For more information, please visit soawfestival.com.
For media interested in covering the Festival and Summit, you
may access the media credential application here.
About MVD Inc.
MVD Inc is an internationally acclaimed award winning creative
production agency led by co-founders and sisters Miatta Johnson and Massah David. The agency has redefined the
perception of brand experiences, creating immersive spaces that
push boundaries and captivate audiences.
Boasting an impressive portfolio of global brands in music,
film, fashion, and technology, MVD Inc has been a creative force
for brands like Netflix, Universal Music Group, ESSENCE, The
Recording Academy, and many more. This duo impressively captures
audiences with innovative creativity and strategic storytelling,
making a lasting impact in the industry.
About Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world's leading
live entertainment company composed of global market leaders:
Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Media &
Sponsorship. Live Nation Urban (LNU) is a partnership with Live
Nation Entertainment, the world's leading live entertainment
company. Specifically focusing on Hip-Hop, R&B and Gospel, LNU
builds platforms, events, and festivals globally and develops
dynamic content strategies based upon the live properties created.
Live Nation Urban considers itself the most powerful source for
live urban music. For additional information, visit
www.livenationurban.com.
SOAW Press Contact:
Strategic Heights Media
Simone Smalls
Michelle Huff Elliott
Jesse Metres
StrengthOfAWoman@strategicheights.com
Live Nation Urban Press Contact:
The Oriel Co.
Nina Lee
nina@theoriel.co
Carleen Donovan
carleen@theoriel.co
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SOURCE MVD/Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit