Honoring and Commending Mary J. Blige for her involvement with Radio One's (WPHI 100.3 The Beat and 107.9 WRNB) 1st Annual Music & Entertainment Conference, Sunday March 16, 2008, for her leadership in the community and contributions to the music industry, and as a 2008 Honorary Women Making a Difference Awardee.

WHEREAS,

Mary Jane Blige is an American R&B, soul, hip-hop singer, songwriter, record producer, actress and icon who has sold more than 40 million records and over 10 million singles worldwide; and

WHEREAS,

She is widely known as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, and has received over 26 Grammy nominations for her work, being fortunate to win eight; and

WHEREAS,

Her artistic evolution and commercial success throughout the years have allowed her to excel and exert her own influence over a new generation of artists participating at Philadelphia’s 1st Annual Music and Entertainment Conference on March 16, 2008; and

WHEREAS,

The Music and Entertainment Conference is a forum in which consumers and listeners will benefit from receiving information from a diverse group of panelists on how to launch a career in the music business; and

WHEREAS,

This year’s event will be at the Doubletree Hotel Philadelphia and will feature seven workshops with topics on a broad range of interests in the entertainment industry; and

WHEREAS,

The attendees of this event are music enthusiasts venturing into the entertainment world, seeking guidance from high profile stars; and

WHEREAS,

With the participation of Mary J. Blige this event intends to provide support services to individuals within Philadelphia to create a community of artists striving toward a broad range of music and entertainment dreams; and

WHEREAS,

Currently Mary J. Blige, the proud wife to Martin Kendu Issacs, is working to expand her career further by acting and her philanthropic efforts as a spokesperson for Carol’s Daughter and MAC beauty supplies, AIDS Fund, and she is the owner of her own record label called Matriarch Records; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE CITY OF COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA,

That we hereby honor and commend Mary J. Blige for her involvement with Radio One’s (WPHI 100.3 The Beat and 107.9 WRNB)

1st Annual Music & Entertainment Conference, Sunday March 16, 2008, for her leadership in the community and her extraordinary contributions to the music industry, and as a 2008 Honorary Women Making a Difference Awardee.

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Mary J. Blige as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

End