McDonald's® 365Black® Awards to Broadcast on Black Entertainment Television® August 25

Star-studded show to air on national television for first time in 10-year history

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Aug 21, 2013, 11:50 ET

OAK BROOK, Ill., Aug. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's USA announced today it will televise its annual 365Black Awards ceremony for the first time on national cable television network Black Entertainment Television® (BET®). Hosted by award-winning actress Taraji P. Henson, the program will air at 11 p.m. Eastern/10 p.m. Central Sunday, August 25. McDonald's 365Black Awards will feature an all-star lineup of celebrity performers and presenters. Comedian Jonathan Slocumb will open the broadcast that will feature show-stopping performances by recording artists Erica Campbell, Estelle, Angie Stone, Jordin Sparks and Yolanda Adams. Actors Jay Ellis and Omari Hardwick, singer/actress Brandy and singer/songwriter LeToya Luckett, will be among celebrities who will present the awards to this year's honorees.

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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: legendary recording artist and "Empress of Soul" Gladys Knight; supermodel Beverly Johnson; education leader Dr. Steve Perry; executive vice president of the Chicago White Sox Kenny Williams; McDonald's owner/operator Roland Parrish; teen entrepreneur Leanna Archer and youth environmentalist Charles Orgbon III.

"We are proud to team with BET to broadcast McDonald's annual 365Black Awards for the first time," said Rob Jackson, McDonald's U.S. marketing director. "McDonald's is committed to being deeply rooted in the community all year long, and we're pleased to salute leaders who are dedicated to serving and enriching those around us for the better."

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 @McDonalds on Twitter for updates on the awards show and join the conversation using #365BlackAwards.

About McDonald's
McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States offering a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit http://www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and menu items.

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.

SOURCE McDonald's USA, LLC