McDONALD’S JOINS FORCES with KEKE PALMER TO RECOGNIZE LEADERSHIP

McDonald’s USA has a long history of investing in Black leaders who are taking steps now to create a brighter tomorrow. And, today, the Golden Arches and its Owner/Operators unveil the 2023 Black & Positively Golden Change Leaders – a collective of 10 young, Black movers-andshakers who inspire and enact remarkable change in their communities and beyond. Each Change Leader will receive $20,000, totaling $200,000 collectively, and will have access to elevated platforms to amplify their community missions, ranging from financial literacy to equality across the education system to mental health advocacy.

To further propel their leadership and underscore that Black history and excellence should be celebrated all year, beyond Black History Month, Change Leaders will be featured in a national advertising campaign voiced over by the multitalented awardwinning actress, singer and entertainer Keke Palmer. They will also attend culturally impactful events to elevate awareness of their missions, and will have their stories profiled on McDonald's Black & Positively Golden Instagram, @wearegolden, each month.

“Historically, McDonald’s has celebrated the accomplishments of the people in the communities we serve, and we also recognize the importance of celebrating the community leaders who are starting something today to change everything tomorrow,” says Alexea Gordon, McDonald’s Manager of Cultural Engagement “This program was created to provide the proper resources needed to help young Black community leaders succeed in their endeavors. These change leaders have the opportunity that we know will have a lasting impact on their communities, and we remain committed to not only celebrating but assisting change makers of the future.”

Much like the Change Leaders, Keke Palmer remains passionate about uplifting young adults, highlighting Black excellence and giving back to the community, making her the perfect ambassador for the Black & Positively Golden Change Leaders TV and radio spots.

“I am so excited to partner with McDonald’s again to pay homage to these young trailblazers who are creating the change they want to see in their communities,” said Keke Palmer “Each day, they are shaping history for the next generation, and I can’t wait for the world to see how they are creating a better tomorrow.”

 MEET THE 2023 BLACK & POSITIVELY

 Andrew Ankamah, Jr., Philadelphia, PA, Founder & Director of The Accountability Initiative

 Brianna Baker, Arlington, VA, Activist and Founder of Justice for Black Girls

 Garrick Beauliere, Baltimore, MD, PostDoctoral Fellow

 Kemia Bridgewater, Detroit, MI, CoFounder of First Generation Gems

 Kamarie Brown, Atlanta, GA, Educator

 Hope Bryant, Houston, TX, Filmmaker

 Nyla Choates, Atlanta, GA, Community Activist & Author of “My Roots Are Rich”

 Aaliyah Duah, Brooklyn, NY, Founder of Financial Revolution

 Dorian Hollingsworth, Jr., Norfolk, VA, Founder & Executive Director of Teen Care Network

 Aaliyah Alicia Thompson, Hampton, GA, Owner of Aaliyah’s Beauty Bar

“I’m honored to be recognized by McDonald’s as a Change Leader and hope my journey inspires others that look like me,” said Nyla Choates, 2023 Black & Positively Golden Change Leader, Author, and Community Activist. “When I started my nonprofit organization and wrote the children’s book My Roots are Rich, it was important for me to showcase the positive contributions Black people made to American culture, and I am excited to have a company like McDonald’s to help me raise awareness and continue impacting culture and change in our neighborhoods and beyond.”

Since its inception, initiatives under the Black & Positively Golden platform—Change

Leaders, HBCU student scholarships and program funding—have invested in the voices of tomorrow to help serve up bright futures in the Black community. And for decades, McDonald’s has partnered with impactful organizations like National Urban League, NAACP, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Hope Chicago and more to help close the opportunity gap and provide meaningful resources to the community. In fact, the brand announced this month a new partnership with Included Health to provide specialized physical, social and emotional and their families; the McDonald’s/APIA Scholarship program catered to Asian and Pacific-Islander American students; and the Archways to Opportunity® program, which provides a variety of educational resources to eligible crew at participating U.S. restaurants.

To learn more about the McDonald's Black & Positively Golden movement and the 2023 Change Leaders program, follow @wearegolden on Instagram and visit mcdchangeleaders.com health care support that is culturallyaffirming and clinically-competent to meet the needs of Black U.S.-based employees and their families.

The Golden Arches is committed to feeding and fostering education and career development for the communities it serves, with programs like the HACER® National Scholarship and Education Tour, created to support Hispanic high-school students

McDonald's USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. Ninetyfive percent of McDonald's approximately 13,500 U.S. restaurants are owned and operated by independent business owners. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds. com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ mcdonalds

TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance (TOUCHBBCA) announces the launch of For the Love of My Gurls, a new multi-media education platform targeting Black women ages 18-35 to bring attention and action to Black Breast Health. For the Love of My Gurls will join TOUCHBBCA with the Paul Mitchell Hair & Beauty Schools, HBCUs, and other breast cancer advocacy organizations to comprehensively promote informative materials to reach young women where they work, live, play, pray, and slay.

TOUCHBBCA developed For the Love of My Gurls in partnership with Bright Pink, who has 17 years experience in reaching young women with breast health education. The campaign’s educational resources and programs will focus on Black Breast Health, risk minimization, awareness, and action for young, Black women without a breast cancer diagnosis. The campaign is calling on young Black women to learn about Black Breast Health and why their needs are different, to unlock their HERstories (family health histories) and make checking their ‘gurls’ a routine in their daily lives.

Through digital initiatives and in-person events, For the Love of My Gurls will numbers must change. In pursuit of our mission to eradicate Black Breast Cancer, we MUST equip and empower our community with information. As we did, with our successful When We Tri(al) Movement last year, we are going to launch this powerful initiative with surround-sound marketing leveraging all of our communication assets and a few new ones.”

CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, a national nonprofit that removes the barriers to good health and equity, today announced Jean C. Accius, PhD as its new President and CEO

“After an extensive search over the past six months with an abundance of incredibly strong candidates, we’re proud to welcome Dr. Jean Accius as CHC’s new President and CEO,” said Adam Rothschild, CHC board chair. Dr. Accius previously served as Senior Vice President of Global Thought Leadership for AARP, the nation’s largest nonprofit advocating for solutions that advance equity and foster greater health security so everyone can live longer and healthier lives. Accius was instrumental in establishing AARP as a global convener and thought leader, elevating bold solutions and innovative programs, and forming strategic partnerships across industries to scale for impact and accelerate the pace of change. Prior to that, he held other senior roles at AARP and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

“I was drawn to CHC’s powerful mission and dedicated board and staff team,” said Dr. Jean C. Accius “It’s an incredible honor to join CHC at this significant time, just as the organization has completed a successful evolution to health equity. This is an era of unprecedented opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to grow cover all topics related to Black Breast Health. The Doctor Is In will host a launch conversation on February 1st at 6pm ET, to be broadcast live on BlackDoctor.org’s Facebook

TOUCHBBCA’s new Black Breast Health web series, Pink Table Talk, will air live on Blackdoctor.org on Facebook the last Sunday of every month at 3pm ET.

“The numbers are staggering for Black women facing breast cancer,” says Ricki Fairley, CEO and Co-Founder of TOUCHBBCA “Black women under 35 get breast cancer at two times the rate of white women and die at three times the rate, well before they would have their first mammograms. These

CHC’s impact, relevance and revenue. Together, we’ll break down the barriers to good health and equity and create resilient communities where everyone can thrive.”

“Leading CHC has been the highlight of my 40-year nonprofit career,” said Thomas G. Bognanno, President and CEO at CHC “As I retire, I couldn’t be prouder of our board of directors and staff team and what we’ve accomplished together at CHC. I’m excited to welcome Jean as CHC’s new leader and am confident he will take our organization to new heights as we enter

As Black Breast Cancer is a different and distinctive disease state, Black Breast Health requires different and distinctive consideration and action. “We believe that young, Black women need more information about the risks of Black Breast Cancer much sooner, before breast cancer impacts their lives. For the Love of My Gurls can, and will, bridge that gap,” says Hayley Brown, TOUCHBBCA’s Director of Programs and Partnerships. The campaign was designed through a lasertargeted messaging lens and informed by TOUCHBBCA’s Young Women’s Advisory Board.

Until now, TOUCHBBCA has focused on supporting and promoting education to Breasties, women already impacted by breast cancer. With this campaign, they are giving young Black women an opportunity to take control of their breast health before they receive a diagnosis.

TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance drives the collaborative efforts of patients, survivors, advocates, advocacy organizations, health care professionals, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies to work collectively, with accountability, towards the common goal of eradicating Black Breast Cancer. Though there are numerous breast cancer advocacy groups and stakeholders, there is a dire need to bring all patients, survivors, advocates, advocacy organizations, health care professionals, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies together to serve as allies to fight Black Breast Cancer.

Source: TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance