McDonald’s 365Black Awards Invites Public to Nominate Extraordinary Teens for First-Ever Community Choice Youth Award

For the first time ever, McDonald’s USA invites the public to help select this year’s Community Choice Youth Award recipients who will be honored during the 11th annual 365Black Awards on Saturday, July 5 in New Orleans. From now until May

OAK BROOK, Ill., May 2, 2014 — For the first time ever, McDonald’s USA is looking to the community to help select this year’s Community Choice Youth Award recipients who will be honored during the 11th annual 365Black Awards. From now through May 31, everyone can visit http://www.365Black.com to nominate an exceptional teen who may be honored at this year’s ceremony alongside celebrities, philanthropists and influencers, and take home a $10,000 scholarship. Two recipients, one male and one female, will be recognized during the star-studded event which will be held Saturday, July 5 during the 20th annual ESSENCE FestivalTM presented by Coca-Cola® in New Orleans.

Open to those between 13 to 18 years of age, McDonald’s 365Black Community Choice Youth Award will honor amazing teens who make a difference within their communities through vision, compassion and diligence. In addition to completing the nomination form, nominators must also answer three questions about the nominee, as well as submit a three-minute video highlighting his or her contribution to the community. All entries must be received by Saturday, May 31, 2014, at 11:59 p.m. Central Daylight Time for consideration.

“McDonald’s is committed to being deeply rooted in the community and we’re proud to partner with our neighbors nationwide to find this year’s Community Choice Youth Award nominees,” said Rob Jackson, McDonald’s U.S. marketing director. “As today’s youth are inventors, entrepreneurs, educators and more, we are excited to applaud their success during this celebrated and notable ceremony.”

McDonald’s 365Black Awards are given annually to salute outstanding individuals who are committed to making positive contributions that strengthen the African-American community. Past pre-selected, influential youth award recipients include: empowerment activist Mary-Pat Hector; inventor Tony Hansberry II; entrepreneurLeanna Archer and environmentalist Charles Orgbon III. In addition, McDonald’s 365Black Awards also honors those who have made positive contributions to African-American culture through education, medicine, entertainment, sports, business and more. Among past honorees are best-selling inspirational author/entrepreneur Bishop T.D. Jakes, legendary recording artist Gladys Knight, and education leader Dr. Steve Perry.

McDonald’s 365Black Awards launched in 2003 as an extension of the company’s 365Black platform, which celebrates the pride, heritage and achievements of African-Americans year-round. To learn more about the Community Choice Youth Award, please visit http://www.365Black.com. Follow @McDonalds on Twitter and join the conversation using #365BlackAwards.

ABOUT MCDONALD’S USA

McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to more than 27 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at approximately 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit http://www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/mcdonalds. To learn more about the 365Black initiative, visit http://www.365Black.com.

SOURCE McDonald’s USA