McDonald's hosted a "Fostering Community" event to mark the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday.
McDonald’s President and CEO Chris Kempczinski, Senior Vice President and U.S. Chief Restaurant Officer Mason Smoot, and members of their local communities spoke to thousands of people in the McFamily about Dr. King’s vision and his values of diversity, equity, inclusion and volunteerism. Dr. Yusef Salaam also addressed event attendees.
Also participating in the event was Reggie Miller, Global Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (D,E&I) Officer at McDonald.
"Reggie shapes progress toward building a shared vision of growth both for McDonald's business and for its people. Reggie's global mindset focus and commitment to making diversity, equity and inclusion a key business driver will only make our McFamily stronger," commented McDonald's President and CEO Chris Kempczinski.
Global brand with community roots
McDonald's global aspiration is to be not only a brand that is respected, but truly admired - and through the event Reggie discussed McDonald's diversity, equity and inclusion goals.
"In a system that operates in nearly 120 markets with complex diversity in each, we recognize that diversity equity and inclusion is a constant evolution, and it is work that will never be done - and we have a long way to go to accomplish the goals that we currently have set for us," explained Reggie. "Our unique position as a global brand, but with local community roots around the world, creates the opportunity to rethink our approach to issues faced by customers, employees, franchisees, suppliers, and communities."
"When we work together in harmony we can use the McDonald's system to change the system, and broader institutional infrastructures, that have led to inequities," said Reggie.
Taking sustainable actions
For Reggie, having tough conversations and frequent conversations is the key to how McDonald's gets better together, while also ensuring that the commitments and actions McDonald's takes are sustainable. and guided by its values.
At McDonald’s, their strategy for the future is built on a simple idea: when they live their values, they succeed. Staying true to these core ideals is how we build trust in communities. It’s how they reach more people, and how they ensure people feel good about walking into a McDonald’s—then coming back again. Their goal is to ensure that when people interact with McDonald’s anywhere in the world, and by any method, through the app, in a restaurant, in an office setting or as a crew member, – inclusivity and equity are as visible and familiar as the Arches.
"I hope you feel galvanized around the rallying cry of using our system to change the system," inspired Reggie.
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Disclosure: Where Women Work researches and publishes insightful evidence about how its paid member organizations support women's equality.