News Archives Archives - BMOA - The Black McDonald’s Operators Association https://bmoachicago.org/category/news-archive/ The Black McDonald’s Operators Association of Chicago and NW Indiana are partners and leaders, dedicated to providing resources across their communities in an effort to help build stronger neighborhoods. As business owners, former youth and current parents in the cities they serve. These Owner-Operators are personally invested in bringing forth a positive and lasting changes by tackling issues facing their communities, families and African American culture was a whole. The Black McDonald’s Operators Association of Chicago and NW Indiana, EMPOWERING MINDS AND BUILDING LEADERS. Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:06:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://bmoachicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cropped-BMOA-Logo-32x32.png News Archives Archives - BMOA - The Black McDonald’s Operators Association https://bmoachicago.org/category/news-archive/ 32 32 BMOA Supports Back-To-School Celebrations Across Chicagoland and NW Indiana https://bmoachicago.org/bmoa-supports-back-to-school-celebrations-across-chicagoland-and-nw-indiana/ Sat, 06 May 2023 16:31:39 +0000 https://bmoachicagoland.org/?p=2196 In celebration of back-to-school for Chicagoland students, the Black McDonald’s Operators Association once again partnered with the Chicago Defender Charities to participate in the annual Bud Billiken Day Parade on August 10. The parade, which is the oldest and largest of its kind, celebrated its 90th anniversary of rallying and supporting Chicago students as they transition from summer […]

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In celebration of back-to-school for Chicagoland students, the Black McDonald’s Operators Association once again partnered with the Chicago Defender Charities to participate in the annual Bud Billiken Day Parade on August 10. The parade, which is the oldest and largest of its kind, celebrated its 90th anniversary of rallying and supporting Chicago students as they transition from summer to the start of the new academic year. The BMOA rode their custom “Celebration of Education” float down Martin Luther King Drive on the South Side of Chicago. The BMOA was accompanied by the Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team as well as special guests, NBA players and Chicago natives Shannon and Sterling Brown. You can check out coverage of McDonald’s in the parade in the video:

Here are some additional photos from this year's parade:

Additionally, to further the commitment to education and ensure that students are well prepared for the first day of school, this year the BMOA partnered with several community organizations and non-profits to donate more than 6,500 school supplies to students across the city, suburbs and Northwest Indiana. Supplies were donated to organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club of Hammond, The Support Group, the Englewood Back-to-School Parade and the Danny K. Davis Westside Back-to-School Festival.

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]]> BMOA Donates 4,000 Meals to First Responders https://bmoachicago.org/bmoa-donates-4000-meals-to-first-responders/ Tue, 28 Mar 2023 21:44:35 +0000 https://bmoachicagoland.org/?p=2021 In continued support of local first responders and essential workers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the  BMOA recently committed to donating more than 4,000 meals to hospital staff, police officers and firefighters throughout the Chicago loop. During the month of May, the McDonald’s restaurant located inside of Navy Pier was temporarily re-opened to serve as […]

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In continued support of local first responders and essential workers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the  BMOA recently committed to donating more than 4,000 meals to hospital staff, police officers and firefighters throughout the Chicago loop.

During the month of May, the McDonald’s restaurant located inside of Navy Pier was temporarily re-opened to serve as a prep kitchen for meals donated to first responders.  Crew members worked to prep hundreds of breakfast and lunch meals that were hand-delivered to first-responder facilities. The free meals consisted of a McDonald’s breakfast sandwich during the morning hours and Chicken McNuggets during the afternoon along with apple slices, a pie and bottled water. Owner-operator Blanton Canady spoke more about the effort in the news clip below.

Donation locations include: Northwestern Hospital, Ann & Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital, University of Chicago Medical Center, Children’s Memorial Hospital, Jackson Park Hospital, Chicago Fire Department Engines 98, 13 and 1, Chicago Police Department District 18 and the Northwestern Police Department.

This support from the local owner-operators comes on the heels of an effort sponsored by McDonald’s corporate headquarters in late April to provide ‘Thank You’ meals to first responders at McDonald’s restaurants around the country. Recognizing that many Chicago-area first responders were unable make it to a restaurant due to work and personal obligations, the BMOA has committed to extending the gratitude to a selection of essential workers for the remainder of May.

Check out this news story featuring BMOA owner-operator Blanton Canady speaking further about the effort:

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]]> Love Conquers All Tour returns for Black History Month https://bmoachicago.org/love-conquer-all-tour-returns-for-black-history-month/ Tue, 28 Mar 2023 21:47:38 +0000 https://bmoachicagoland.org/?p=2023 In continued support of the pillars of education, empowerment and tolerance, the Black McDonald’s Operators Association is excited to announce the return of the ‘LOVE CONQUERS ALL TOUR’, an “edutainment” experience for elementary students inspired by the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year, the BMOA, along with educational performance troupe Free Lunch […]

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In continued support of the pillars of education, empowerment and tolerance, the Black McDonald’s Operators Association is excited to announce the return of the ‘LOVE CONQUERS ALL TOUR’, an “edutainment” experience for elementary students inspired by the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year, the BMOA, along with educational performance troupe Free Lunch Academy, will take the tour to more than an dozen public schools across the Chicagoland area.

Love Conquers All is a one-hour interactive stage play designed to teach students about conflict resolution, partnership and respect for oneself and the community. Inspired by the philosophies of Dr. King, the central themes of the play are love and non-violence, which are showcased through relatable stories of youth experiences. After each show, students are guided in discussion on ways they can resist negative behaviors and be better citizens. Students are also given the chance to show how they will apply these life lessons through a creativity competition that allows them to submit original artwork, writings and other content that display love and tolerance in their community.

This year’s tour will visit the following schools:

– Ogden Elementary, 24 W. Walton St.

– Ray Elementary, 5631 S. Kimbark Ave.

– King Elementary, 644 W. 71st St.

– Sherman School of Excellence, 1000 W. 52nd St.

– LEARN Campbell, 212 S. Fransico Ave.

– Marsh Elementary, 9822 S. Exchange Ave.

– O’Keefe Elementary, 6940 S. Merrill Ave.

– Nash Elementary, 4837 W. Erie St.

– Leland Elementary, 512 S. Lavergne Ave.

– Hillside School, 4804 W. Harrison St.

– Chicago Jesuit Academy, 5058 W. Jackson Blvd.

– Carson Elementary, 5516 S. Maplewood Ave.

*Note: Additional schools may be added.

 For more details on the Love Conquers All Tour, visit www.freelunchacademy.com

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]]> 2022 Food For The Body & Spirit – Turkey Giveaway https://bmoachicago.org/food-for-the-body-spirit-turkey-giveaway/ Sat, 06 May 2023 16:13:33 +0000 https://bmoachicagoland.org/?p=2190 This signature program is rooted in the BMOA’s commitment to supporting the communities we serve and enhancing the lives of the people in those communities. As unemployment numbers in Chicagoland reach record highs, it is critical that we as local business owners be at the forefront of helping others have a joyous and heartfelt Thanksgiving […]

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This signature program is rooted in the BMOA’s commitment to supporting the communities we serve and enhancing the lives of the people in those communities. As unemployment numbers in Chicagoland reach record highs, it is critical that we as local business owners be at the forefront of helping others have a joyous and heartfelt Thanksgiving holiday. Over the course of  four days, the BMOA will continue the tradition by donating 2,000 turkeys and all the fixings to local families in need on the south side, west side and in nearby NW Indiana.

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