In a significant move towards women's empowerment, Pepsi introduces the Pepsi x Mary J. Blige Strength of a Woman Community Fund. This initiative solidifies Pepsi's ongoing commitment to uplifting women, marking a pivotal step in their partnership with Mary J. Blige's "Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit." With an allocation of $100,000, Pepsi aims to support underserved women in the Yonkers, NY area.
Empowering Yonkers Women
Through collaboration with the United Way of Westchester and Putnam, the fund is designed to uplift local organizations dedicated to elevating and educating women within the Yonkers community. Non-profit groups catering to the needs of marginalized or financially vulnerable women are encouraged to apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. The grants will specifically target programs focusing on education, financial stability, and food security. Interested organizations can submit their applications online at www.uwwp.org/pepsi-soaw until the deadline on June 1, 2024.
The launch of this fund aligns with the core mission of the "Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit," which is set to make its debut in New York City. By directing resources back to Mary J. Blige's hometown of Yonkers, Pepsi aims to embody the event's fundamental values of empowerment, elevation, and education within the local community.
Mary J. Blige's Support
Expressing her appreciation for Pepsi's ongoing support, Mary J. Blige emphasizes the importance of providing resources for local organizations striving to support and uplift women, aiming for an even greater impact this year.
The announcement of the fund coincides with a surprise appearance by Mary J. Blige at Westchester Community College on April 25. This appearance was part of the Pepsi x Strength of a Woman Community Day, organized with the generous support of PepsiCo Foundation, Pepsi, and YWCA of Yonkers. The event featured enlightening sessions on wellness, confidence building, and economic empowerment, followed by a thoughtful shopping trip aimed at equipping women with essential tools for workplace preparedness.
PepsiCo Foundation's Contribution
In addition to launching the fund, PepsiCo Foundation demonstrates its commitment to supporting women's empowerment by contributing $50,000 to various local organizations. Beneficiaries include YWCA of White Plains & Central Westchester, United Way of Westchester and Putnam, and Westchester Community College Foundation.
Kent Montgomery, Senior Vice President of PepsiCo Industry Relations and Multicultural Development, emphasizes the shared vision between Pepsi and Mary J. Blige in empowering women. He asserts that the launch of the Pepsi x Mary J. Blige Strength of a Woman Fund exemplifies this vision, enabling organizations to continue their valuable work in supporting and uplifting women.
Pepsi's unwavering support for Mary J. Blige and her mission of women's empowerment both on and off the stage is evident. As the festival's inaugural partner since 2022, Pepsi remains committed to amplifying Mary J. Blige's vision of uplifting the next generation of women. Once again, Pepsi will play a pivotal role in supporting the festival, set to take place from May 10 to 12 across various venues in New York City.