Mary J. Blige, the legendary R&B singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur, has been hailed as an example of strength and resilience throughout her career. However, it was the turmoil in her personal life that led her to channel her pain into a powerful message of women's empowerment – and develop her “Strength of a Woman Festival & Summit,” taking place on May 12.
Mary J. Blige (Photo on Instagram, @therealmaryjblige)
In 2017, in the midst of a tumultuous divorce from her ex-husband and former manager Kendu Isaacs, Blige had to juggle alimony payments and financial difficulties. She says she went back on tour to pay the upkeep. The frustration and anger she felt during this time became the driving force behind her acclaimed album Strength of a Woman.
'I was mad'
“When I made the album, I was upset because I had to pay child support every day,” Blige told the New York 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.”
In 2018, Blige was ordered to pay $30,000 a month in temporary spousal support to Isaacs, whom she divorced in 2016 after 12 years of marriage, People reported.
Blige has been open about her alimony payments, emphasizing that she doesn't believe men should collect alimony.
“It's so crazy right now that men can attack you and demand alimony,” Blige told Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings on the Earn Your Leisure podcast in 2023. “When I got divorced, I was like, 'You I mean.' to tell me I have to pay him?! And he cheated and lied.'”
“I will never allow anyone to have that much power over my life, my finances or my life again,” she said.
“I owed so much money that I never thought I would ever get out of debt,” the icon said. “I’m out of debt now,” Blige added. “Now I have the wisdom, now I look at my payslip… that’s not my money. My taxes aren't my money, so I say, 'Pay my payroll, pay my taxes, pay my tithes.' I don't even want to see all that money because it's not mine.”
Empowering other women through the Strength of a Woman Summit
Blige, 53, turned her personal struggles into a source of empowerment and envisioned a platform to celebrate the resilience and strength of women. This is how the Strength of a Woman Festival & Summit was born. Now in its third year, this annual event aims to encourage and inspire women from all walks of life.
Originally held in Atlanta, the festival is now making its debut in New York City, Blige's hometown. The move to NYC is particularly meaningful for Blige, as she credits her upbringing in Yonkers, NY, with instilling in her the strength and resilience that have shaped her career.
“It's extremely important for me to take it home with me because this is where I was born and raised,” said Blige, a Yonkers 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.”
She added: “I think New York needs something like this – especially from artists like me who come from here and know what New York needs. “Sometimes we need a kind of hug. And that’s a hug for our culture.”
The Strength of a Woman Festival & Summit offers a range of programs including concerts, panel discussions and community meetings.
“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,” Blige explained. “And this year we have men [a] Panel also, men celebrating women.”
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