Mary J. Blige asserts herself with Strength of a Woman: 'Allow me to reintroduce myself'

Mary J. Blige wants attendees at her Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit to walk away feeling “an overload of happiness.”

The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, never less than frank, is determined to help women feel empowered and elevated, mindsets she struggled with since the 1992 release of her debut album, “What’s the 411?,” as she navigated a male-dominated industry.

More than three decades later, Blige, 53, is a bona fide icon with nine Grammy Awards, 42 singles as a lead artist, album sales north of 50 million and upcoming induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.