11th Annual McDonald's 365Black Awards to Air on BET Networks August 10

OAK BROOK, Ill., Aug. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's USA announced today it will televise its 11^th Annual 365Black Awards ceremony for the second consecutive year on national cable television network Black Entertainment Television® (BET®). Hosted by national television correspondent/actor Terrence 'J' Jenkins and leading actress Tika Sumpter, the program will air Sunday, August 10 at 10 p.m. EDT/9 p.m. CDT. Those who miss the first airing can catch it again Sunday, August 17 at 11 p.m. EDT/10 p.m. CDT on CENTRIC.

This year's McDonald's 365Black Awards will feature an all-star lineup, including show-stopping performances by recording artists Pastor Kim Burrell, Tank, Leela James, Jazmine Sullivan, Kierra Sheard, Mali Music and Ledisi. Singer/actress Michelle Williams, veteran radio personality Tom Joyner, news correspondent Soledad O'Brien, film director Warrington Hudlin, actress Naturi Naughton and news correspondent Nischelle Turner, will be among celebrities who will present the awards to the honorees.

McDonald's 365Black Awards are given annually to salute outstanding individuals who are committed to making positive contributions that strengthen the African-American community. This year's honorees include: civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton; film producer Will Packer; music executive Kevin Liles; inspirational leader Iyanla Vanzant; former NFL athlete Dhani Jones; and McDonald's owner/operator Henry Coaxum. Additionally, artist Skyler Grey and entrepreneur Gabrielle Jordan Williams were recognized alongside this lineup with the first McDonald's 365Black Community Choice Youth Award.

"We are proud to again partner with BET Networks to broadcast McDonald's annual 365Black Awards," said Rob Jackson, McDonald's U.S. marketing director. "McDonald's is committed to being deeply rooted in the community every day, and we're pleased to salute leaders who are dedicated to enriching our communities."

McDonald's 365Black Awards launched in 2003 as an extension of the company's 365Black platform, which celebrates the pride, heritage and achievements of African-Americans year-round. Fans can follow @McDScene on Twitter for updates on the awards show and join the conversation using #365BlackAwards.

About McDonald's
McDonald's USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to more than 27 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at approximately 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook www.facebook.com/mcdonalds. To learn more about the 365Black initiative, visit www.365Black.com.

About BET Networks:
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET operates in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

The following trademarks used herein are owned by McDonald's Corporation and its affiliates: 365Black, and McDonald's. ©2014 McDonald's

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SOURCE McDonald's USA