Mary J. Blige announced the launch of FFAWN, the Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now. The new charity initiative is targeted toward empowering underprivileged women and girls in Yonkers, New York.

“Most of my life was centered around living for the moment,” Mary said in a press conference on Friday. “I had very few resources and very little real life education to make good decisions. What I did have was a voice and that ultimately became my vehicle of growth.

“It is my great hope that FFAWN will be a vehicle to help other women reach greater heights despite their environment, despite low self-esteem, despite their immediate circumstances.”