Celebrities and industry leaders joined with McDonald’s USA for the Launch of its Black & Positively Golden Mentors Program - a new virtual content series providing young people with access to renowned industry experts.
The initiative pairs industry leaders in a range of sectors including technology, entertainment, and business with up-and-coming changemakers in the same fields.
“Our Golden Mentors series allows us to continue feeding and fostering the communities we serve by elevating future leaders in pursuit of their passions,” said Elizabeth Campbell, Senior Director of Cultural Engagement, McDonald’s USA. “We know our customers are seeking valuable information to help take their dreams to the next level, which is why we are honored to offer resources and give them access to industry leaders, right at their fingertips.”
McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden movement is designed to uplift communities and shine a brilliant light on Black excellence through empowerment, education and entrepreneurship. It highlights all things positive and focuses on stories of truth, power and pride. The campaign movement is a natural extension of the brand’s longstanding commitment to the African American consumer.
Mentors sharing wisdom and industry insights
Award-winning rapper, singer and songwriter Big Sean, popular gospel music vocalist and entrepreneur Kierra Sheard, journalist and activist Jamilah Lemieux, and technology activist Ian Michael Brock are among the stars who are serving as “golden mentors” for the online series.
Understanding that mentorship is essential to leadership, McDonalds is providing opportunities to help the next generation of leaders take steps today to own tomorrow.
Supporting a young woman's coding skills
The first episode features 16-year-old technology activist, Dream Hustle Code founder and Chicago-native Ian Michael Brock, who mentored up-and-coming computer science star Erin Chapman (both pictured below). Erin is a 16-year-old double-honors high school student from Chicago who aspires to become an orthotic doctor who uses technology to create prosthetics. As part of the Black & Positively Golden Mentors program, Ian and McDonald’s are gifting Erin a computer with professional coding software to help elevate her coding skills and output.
“We all deserve to be set up for success on the path we want to pursue. That's why it's so important to advocate for youth from underrepresented and underestimated areas," said Ian. "McDonald’s recently sponsored my New Nerd Virtual Summer Camp and I am honored to once again work with the company to inspire excellence through the Black & Positively Golden Mentors program.”
Providing educational opportunities
McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden Mentors program is an extension of the company’s commitment to serving up bright futures through educational opportunities in the communities it serves, like its $500,000 Black & Positively Golden Scholarship Fund which awarded 34 Historically Black College & University (HBCU) students with tuition assistance.
This is one of many investments McDonald’s is making in the next generation of leaders through scholarships, leadership training and dream building.
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