Super-sized Racism (Part 2): Black McDonald’s Franchise Owners Should Matter
As appeared first in the Michigan Chronicle By Trevor Coleman During a recent interview with CNBC news, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski bragged that his company has “probably” created more Black millionaires than any other corporation. Setting aside the fact the NFL, NBA, and a few other businesses may have something to say about that, the statement nonetheless did raise the question of the fast-food behemoth’s relationship with the African American community. Especially given the shocking allegations of systemic racism at the highest levels of the corporation made this year in
NFL Will Play Black National Anthem at Games
As appeared first in the Michigan Chronicle By Stacy M. Brown When Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the playing of the national anthem to bring awareness to social and other injustices faced regularly by Black and Brown individuals in America, the National Football League, President Donald Trump, and others wrongly associated the quarterback’s actions as a protest against the U.S. flag and the nation’s military. In the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd, protests and demonstrations have awakened America and most of the world to the plight
Discover Launches $5 Million Campaign Funding Black-Owned Restaurants Based on Consumer Nominations
It's no secret COVID-19 has been bad for businesses across the board. Additionally, statistics have shown how the pandemic has negatively impacted communities of color. Tuesday, Discover announced its stepping up to provide support to Black-owned restaurants. "COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on businesses across the United States, and we want to help effect positive change by offering financial support to Black-owned restaurants, a segment of the economy that has been disproportionately impacted during this pandemic," said Julie Loeger, Discover Executive Vice President and President of U.S. Cards, in
The Recording Academy Announces Valeisha Butterfield Jones As First Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
According to grammy.com, the Recording Academy has named Valeisha Butterfield Jones as its first Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer in its 63-year history. This hiring comes based off the recommendation of the Recording Academy Diversity & Inclusion Task Force which is comprised of music and entertainment leaders such as rapper Common, Debra Lee of BET, and Universal Music Group Executive Vice President Michele Anthony. Jones, former head of global inclusion at Google, will be "bring business acumen and strategic rigor to inclusion practices across all areas of the
PayPal to Commit $530 Million to Support Black-Owned Businesses
As appeared first on the Chicago Defender By Racquel Coral In the month following the brutal murder of Minneapolis resident George Floyd, several major companies have shown their support for the Black community through statements, the inclusion of more Black people in executive roles, as well as donations and investments. One of the largest came from the tech giant, PayPal’s venture capital arm, PayPal Ventures. As part of their $530 commitment to Black-owned businesses and communities, PayPal Ventures has pledged $500 million in direct investments. The funds will be used
Super-sized racism: former McDonald’s execs strike back in explosive race discrimination lawsuit
As appeared first in the Michigan Chronicle By Trevor Coleman and Trevor W. Coleman II For more than 50 years the McDonald’s Corporation took pride in branding itself as a socially conscious corporation particularly interested in doing business in abandoned and long-ignored Black communities while embracing racial diversity as a critical component of its corporate ethos. It is a philosophy that helped create a popular narrative and also focus on story that the Chicago-based company was a progressive business and a place where African Americans could grow, find mentors, promotions, and economic opportunity. However, that image was
Black Netflix Exec Spearheads Company’s $100 Million Commitment to Black Banks
In October 2019, Netflix began holding routine meetings to increase diversity among its leadership. However, it would not be until April of this year that the company would arguably make its biggest stride towards social change. The discussions from April’s gathering sparked the curiosity of Netflix Director of Talent Acquisition, Aaron Mitchell. He began researching economic solutions and reading Mehrsa Baradaran’s “The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap”, which highlights the need for Black financial institutions to receive better funding to help the
In a 10-Year ‘Yeezy’ Deal, Kanye returns to the Gap
As appeared first in the Chicago Defender By LaToya Wright, Contributing Writer In 2004, Kanye West told the world about his work experience at the mall brand store, The Gap in the song Spaceships on his debut album “The College Dropout.” Kanye recounted his days as a teen working at the Gap. Days of being insulted by his manager repeatedly. Days of being asked to the back of the store and being patted down and asked about khakis. Khakis Kanye admittedly stole but he was never caught. Today Kanye
McDonald’s USA Launches $500,000 Scholarship Fund to Help HBCU Students
McDonald’s USA today announced the launch of its $500,000 Black & Positively Golden® Scholarship Fund to help students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) continue their education this fall, despite impacts of COVID-19. Facilitated by Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), scholarships will be distributed for the 2020-2021 academic year. The announcement comes in conjunction with the launch of the 2020 ESSENCE Festival of Culture: Unstoppable Virtual Experience, in which McDonald’s officially kicks off its partnership with the ESSENCE Girls United HBCU initiative. “We know that education is
Does Joe Biden’s Vice President have to be a Black woman?
As appeared first in the Chicago Defender By Sabrina Catlett For many voters, the resounding answer is no. The growing disdain for Biden among young Democratic voters has been predicted to dwindle with the promise of a Black woman as vice president, but for many, this is not the case. Of the 13 (and counting) women being vetted by the Biden campaign, over half of them are women of color. Seven of them are Black women. A recent poll found that 46 percent of Democrats think it important that Biden chooses