house resolution no.303
Rep. Peterson offered the following resolution:
Whereas, The National Black McDonald’s Operators Association is committed to helping African American communities by providing educational resources, promoting tolerance and acceptance, and empowering the people they serve throughout the state and local chapters of Black McDonald’s Operator Associations; and
Whereas, The National Black McDonald’s Operators Association encompasses over 200 independent Black franchisees from around the country; and
Whereas, The Black operators of the Michigan Operators Business Association encompasses 14 independent Black franchisees. These members have over 70 restaurants (more than 15 are located in densely populated Black communities) which employ over 2,800 employees. Current Black operators are Stephen Blackwood, Tina Brundidge, Jon Campbell, Sr., Sam Cox, Steven Hogwood, Dr. William Pickard, Sonja Shields, Maureen Smith, James Thrower II, Joni Thrower-Davis, Marla Thrower, Artie Vann, Monique Vann-Brown, and Carl Wiseman; and
Whereas, The Black operators of the Michigan Operators Business Association are committed participants across Michigan throughout the year, sponsoring and being active in our communities like the longstanding Turkey Family Giveaway, Celebrating Black History Makers of Today student scholarship program, Breakfast with Black Santa special events, youth initiatives to promote reading and back-to-school drives/attendance, programs of appreciation for public safety and health care workers, parks and recreation, youth career development, job and opportunity fairs, arts, culture and music community festivals, city neighborhood resource and safety community events; and
Whereas, The meaningful efforts of the Black McDonald’s Operators throughout Michigan engage our local neighborhoods and embody the true spirit of family and community; and
Whereas, On December 21, 1968, Herman Petty of Chicago opened his first restaurant on Chicago’s South Side at 6500 South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago, making him the first African American McDonald's franchisee; and
Whereas, McDonald’s partnership with Herman Petty opened the doors and gave hope to a generation of ambitious African American businessmen and women seeking a piece of the American Dream. By the end of 1969, there were twelve African American owned and operated McDonald’s restaurants, mostly located in the Midwest; and
Whereas, The sharing of ideas, problems, and concerns amongst owner/operators eventually led to the formation of the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association in 1972; and
Whereas, The founding members of the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association who attended the first organized convention of the organization in May 1972 presided over by Herman Petty, who had the foresight to see the need for such an organization were: Sherman Claypool of Milwaukee, Wayne Embry of Milwaukee, Andrew Davis of Chicago, John Perry of Chicago, Mallory Jones of St. Louis, Noel White of Chicago, Lester Hairston of Chicago, Cloris Dale of Kansas City, Andrew Murrell of Kansas City, Walter Pitchford of Chicago, Benjamin Davis of St. Louis, and Edward Wimp of Chicago; and
Whereas, The tenacity and courage of these African American entrepreneurs and pioneers laid the foundation for what has become the most successful group of African American entrepreneurs in the United States today and has paved the way for the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association to be partners and leaders, dedicated to providing resources across their communities in an effort to help build stronger neighborhoods; and
Whereas, In May of 2022, the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association will celebrate it’s 50-year anniversary; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body commemorate the 50th anniversary of the McDonald's Restaurants Black Owners Association. We express our gratitude to the Michigan Operators that are members of the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association for their continued service to the state of Michigan, our youth, and our communities; and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to each of the Black operators of the Michigan Operators Business Association.