Mary J. Blige has established an HBCU scholarship to help “celebrate and advocate” for Black women as her Strength Of A Woman Festival marks its return.
In partnership with Pepsi, Mary has launched a scholarship initiative focused on “creating opportunities for connection and growth within the Atlanta community and beyond.”
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An announcement of the scholarship’s recipient — with the pool consisting only of Black woman — will be made on Pepsi’s HBCU tour this fall, according to a recent press release.
The PepsiCo x Mary J. Blige Strength of a Woman Scholarship is part of the beverage company’s $200,000 donation, which also funds local charities.
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“The whole mission of this festival is to celebrate and advocate for Black women,” Mary J. Blige said in a statement. “So to have Pepsi show up and show out in the way they do is overwhelming. With their support for the Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit, we are able to pay it forward in so many impactful ways and to be able to grant an HBCU scholarship for a deserving student is nothing short of incredible.”
As part of the announcement of the scholarship, the Strength Of A Woman Festival and Summit will make its return over Mother’s Day weekend, with activities designed to “entertain, elevate, educate and empower,” the release said.
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“The Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit has proven to be a powerful platform for Pepsi and its brands to create opportunities that bring long-lasting change to amplify and elevate women,” Kent Montgomery, PepsiCo’s Senior Vice President of Industry Relations and Multicultural Development said in a statement.
“This year, with even more events for fans to experience, we want to recognize, celebrate, and support the voices of the community, from the incredible on-stage talent, including the iconic Mary J. Blige, to the on-the-ground local restaurateurs and entrepreneurs whose vision and passion inspire others.”
Aside from the scholarship, the beverage brand and Mary J have created a day of programming to recognize women who have made a significant contribution to culture and community — this includes Pepsi Dig-In, a brand platform that helps Black-owned businesses grow and become more visible.
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A variety of Atlanta restaurants will be participating in this event, which will allow attendees to sample their signature dishes.
