(L to R) NBMOA Chair and CEO Roland Parrish, McDonald’s African American Consumer Market Committee Chairman Marty Gillis, Mary J. Blige, McDonald’s Director of African American Consumer Marketing Robert Jackson, Steve Stoute, Record Producer and Co-founder of FFAWN (Foundation For the Advancement of Women Now). 

(L to R) (L to R) 2011 McDonald’s 365Black Awards Honorees, civil rights “Freedom Rider” and McDonald’s owner/operator Henry “Hank” Thomas, Radio One network founder Cathy Hughes, multi-platinum recording artist Mary J. Blige, legendary Broadway actress Ruby Dee and NAACP^â president Benjamin Jealous, on the red carpet after receiving a 2011 365Black Award.  The 365Black Awards is an extension of McDonald’s 365Black initiative, created to celebrate the pride, heritage and achievements of African-Americans year round.

(L to R) McDonald’s Men of McCafé Celebrity Ambassadors NFL Star Isaac Keys, TBS’s Meet the Browns Lamann Rucker, 2011 McDonald’s 365Black Awards recipient Mary J. Blige and Lance Gross from TBS’s House of Payne.

2011 McDonald’s 365Black Awards recipient Mary J. Blige and husband Kendu Isaac during a break in the awards luncheon at Essence Music Festival.  Mary J. Blige is the co-founder of FFAWN, the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now, which received a charitable contribution from McDonald’s.

(L to R) Vice President and General Manager of McDonald’s Florida Region James Collins, McDonald’s 2011 365Black recipient Mary J. Blige and radio legend Tom Joyner share the stage during awards ceremony.

Co-hosts Tom Joyner and Angela Bassett open the 2011 McDonald’s 365Black Awards ceremony at the start of the Essence Music Festival weekend.

Legendary Broadway actress Ruby Dee receiving her 2011 McDonald’s 365Black Award from Academy Award^® nominated actress and ceremony co-host Angela Bassett in New Orleans at the Essence Music Festival.

Gospel singing sensation and Grammy Award^® winning recording artist Hezekiah Walker opens the 2011 McDonald’s 365Black Awards show by leading the honorees and audience with an inspirational song.  Walker is currently headlining the national McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu gives opening remarks at the 2011 365Black^® Awards ceremony in New Orleans, kicking-off the Essence Music Festival weekend. The 365Black Awards were launched in 2003 and are an extension of McDonald’s 365Black initiative, created to celebrate the pride, heritage and achievements of African-Americans year round.

365Black Awards Co-host Angela Bassett poses with Ronald McDonald^® on the red carpet. Angela Bassett and radio legend Tom Joyner hosted the 2011 365Black Awards in New Orleans during Essence Music Festival.

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