Mary J. Blige starts women's group

YONKERS, N.Y. — The queen of hip-hop soul is establishing a foundation to help women develop careers and gain self-confidence.

Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute, who founded a youth-oriented brand-consulting firm, say they're setting up the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now.

The foundation will concentrate first on the Yonkers, N.Y., area where the 37-year-old Blige grew up. The charity will fund scholarships, grants and programs that help women gain confidence and skills to succeed in their careers.

Blige and Stoute say they expect to expand to the New York metropolitan area and then the nation.