The McDonald’s
® 365Black Platform celebrates and
recognizes African American culture, history and achievements all year
long. The 365Black Awards applaud and recognize individuals who have
made significant contributions to the African American community.
To check out our winners from 2008
Click here
Rep. James E. Clyburn
United States Congressman, 6th District of South Carolina
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Watch what our winners had to say about their commitment to the community.
Alonzo Mourning
is a retired basketball legend and seven-time NBA All Star. He is also
the founder of Alonzo Mourning Charities (AM Charities), an entity
dedicated to encouraging education and the positive development of
youth. AM Charities has built and established “enrichment
centers” in economically challenged communities and produces
programs for youth that promote productive life habits. In addition to
serving thousands of youth through these community centers, Mr. Mourning
has raised millions of dollars for medical research and for various
programs that aid in successful youth development. The 365Black Award
is presented to Mr. Alonzo Mourning in recognition of his various
community services and particularly those services that are beneficial
to youth in the African American Community.
Soledad O’Brien
is an Emmy Award winning journalist, broadcast anchor, and special
correspondent for CNN Worldwide. Her gripping coverage of Hurricane
Katrina in 2005 catapulted her visibility and generated millions of fans
worldwide. Ms. O’Brien’s successful CNN series “Black
in America” presented the world with compelling images of African
Americans during 2008. The impact of providing this information was so
great, that Ms. O’Brien will be presenting “Black in America
II” during 2009, also on CNN. Ms. O’Brien is using her
skills and resources to educate mass audiences to the broad
socio-economic diaspora of African Americans. The 365Black Award is
presented to Ms. Soledad O’Brien in recognition of her reporting
excellence and commitment to educate the world about being Black in
America.
Earl G. Graves, Sr.
is best known as the founder of BLACK ENTERPRISE MAGAZINE. He was a
young husband and father with big dreams when he first published Black
Enterprise (BE) in 1970. Today BE presents the state of enterprise in
the African American community, providing information and advice to 4.3
million regular readers. Currently, Mr. Graves is chairman of Earl G.
Graves Enterprises, the parent company of BLACK ENTERPRISE and a
multi-media operation that maintains a spotlight on African American
business. The 365Black Award is presented to Mr. Graves in recognition
of his trailblazing and his legacy of providing information that for
decades has perpetuated economic growth, development and achievement in
the African American community at large.
Frank Mason
owns ten McDonald’s restaurants in the New York Metro Region and
has been dedicated for decades to the educational development of African
American youth. He has provided more than $1,000,000 in scholarships for
youth to attend Dillard University in New Orleans, where he also serves
as a Board Trustee. Mason also supports the YMCA Camp Speers-Eljabar, a
Pennsylvannia camp which exposes inner-city youth to healthy and
enriching outdoor activities such as fishing, swimming, and outdoor
play. Mason donated several acres of land and more than half a million
in cash to this camp because he believes this camp benefits African
American youth. The 365Black Award is presented to Frank Mason because
of his commitment in resources and time to the educational development
of African American youth.
Representative James E. Clyburn
is the Majority Whip for the United States House of Representatives and
South Carolina Congressman. Clyburn was elected Majority Whip, the third
highest ranking position in the House of Representatives, by unanimous
vote in 2006. He has been a member of Congress since 1993, and he has
been a community servant for more than 50 years. Mr. Clyburn was elected
president of his NAACP Youth chapter when he was 12, and he participated
in civil rights marches and demonstrations during the 1950s and 1960s.
The 365Black Award is presented to Congressman James Clyburn for his
lifelong dedication to improving conditions for African Americans, for
his services to the community at large, and for his stellar performance
as one of our nation’s highest ranking government officials.
