The four-day "Women of the World" festival begins tonight at the Apollo Theater. Mikki Shepard, the executive director, Jamilla Deria, the programming director and Jessica Care Moore, a poet, the CEO of Moore Black Press, executive producer of Black WOMEN Rock! and the founder of the literacy-driven Jess Care Moore Foundation, preview the Apollo's WOW festival, which will feature performances, talks, mentoring sessions, debates, music and film that celebrates the talents of women and girls from all walks of life and all parts of the world.

Festival participants include Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Macy Gray, Emmy-award winner Iyanla Vanzant, the Malaysian pop star Yuna, the Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee and Dr. Naomi Wold, the co-founder of DailyClout.com.