Mary J. Blige's child support made her “pissed off” – so she founded the Strength of a Woman Festival

For Mary J. Blige, it was the pain in her wallet from her divorce drama — with her ex-husband and former manager Kendu Isaacs — that inspired her 2017 LP Strength of a Woman.

“When I made the album, I was upset because I had to pay child support every day,” Blige, 53, told The Post. “I was in the middle of a terrible divorce.

“But you know, I'm always speaking things into life – even when I'm going through a bad time – and I had to speak strength into myself. And so I called my album Strength of a Woman while I was going through a terrible divorce and paying child support.”

While Mary J. Blige's 2023 SOAW Festival & Summit was in Atlanta, she said, “New York needs something like this.” Getty Images for Strength Of A Woman Festival & Summit

And the “Family Affair” singer turned any lingering hatred into empowerment with her Strength of a Woman Festival & Summit, taking place this Mother's Day weekend in New York City – with the newly crowned queen of hip-hop soul rocking & recording into the Roll Hall of Fame.

“It is extremely important for me to take it home with me because this is where I was born and raised,” said the Yonkers, NY native. “This is where the movement started, you know? I grew up with a group of women who were all single and very strong. And, you know, there were trials and triumphs. I saw a lot here as a child.”

And SOAW has already shown growth heading into its third annual edition – following two years previously in Atlanta.

“I knew it would be what we set out to do [in 2022]Blige said. “And then we had the second year and it got bigger and bigger. And it has grown because people from all over the world come to this event.”

Now Blige — who will headline Saturday's concert at Brooklyn's Barclays Center and also features 50 Cent, Jill Scott and others — is convinced that the Strength of a Woman Festival & Summit has found its home in New York.

Mary J. Blige performed with Usher at the inaugural Strength of a Woman Festival & Summit in Atlanta in 2022. Getty Images for Strength Of A Woman Festival & Summit

“I think New York needs something like this – especially from artists like me who come from here and know what New York needs,” she said. “Sometimes we need a kind of hug. And that’s a hug for our culture.”

Blige drew inspiration from the Essence Festival, which has been a mecca for the black women's community in New Orleans for years.

“I’ve done the Essence Festival so many times I’ve lost count,” she said. “I appreciate them for just being there and visiting us at times when we didn't know if people even liked us anymore.”

“This is a hug for our culture,” said Mary J. Blige from her Strength of a Woman Festival & Summit.

While there will be everything from a two-set showcase with Grammy-winning pianist Robert Glasper (on Friday night at the Blue Note Jazz Club) to a concert by gospel greats the Clark Sisters (on Sunday at the Brooklyn Paramount), Blige is adamant Saturday’s summit at the Glasshouse in Midtown is “the heartbeat” of SOAW. “That’s the most important part for me,” she said.

The lineup for the free event — although registration is still closed — includes Taraji P. Henson, her “Empire” co-star Tasha Smith, “Black-ish” actress Marsai Martin and, of course, Blige herself.

Taraji P. Henson, her “Empire” co-star Tasha Smith and “Black-ish” actress Marsai Martin will be speakers at the SOAW Summit.

“We all come together and help each other, we teach you – you know, 'everyone teaches each other'.” We strengthen, we question, we educate, we support each other with what we have learned,” she said. “And this year we have men [a] Panel also, men celebrating women.”

Although Blige isn't a mother herself — “I love my freedom,” she said of her decision not to have children — she thinks the Strength of a Woman Festival & Summit (co-produced in collaboration with Pepsi) is a perfect fit Mother's Day weekend.

“I mean, what other weekend would you do like this if you were Mary J. Blige and your movement was predominantly women?” she said. “Mother’s Day would celebrate the strength of a woman – because every mother is a strong woman.”