McDonald’s owner-operator Mary Redmond is the vice president of the Houston Black McDonald’s Operators Association (BMOA) and serves on the board of The Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). Redmond has been selected as one of several judges who will select 25 African American students to receive the coveted Ronald McDonald House Charities’ African American Future Achievers (AAFA) Scholarship.
Applicants had to have at least one parent of African American or Black Caribbean heritage; excel, not only in academics, but also in community service; occupy leadership roles; and communicate vision and determination. The finalists will be chosen from several hundred applicants. The RMHC-AAFA Scholarship Program provides financial support to African American students committed to pursuing education in their chosen fields at any accredited institution providing post-secondary education and provides full credit toward any degree or a program of training to produce gainful employment. –alex green
How many years has the BMOA been a part of the scholarship program?
This is our 20th year. In 1992, the BMOA launched the Black History Makers of Tomorrow Scholarship program,which is known today as the RMHC-AAFA Scholarship Program.
What’s the selection process?
The student first must meet the eligibility requirements and live within a participating program’s geographic boundaries. You must be a legal United States resident, be less than 21 years of age, be eligible to enroll and attend an institution of higher education or a vocational or technical school and plan to enroll at an accredited post-secondary education institution during the academic year following their graduation. The scholarship cannot be restricted to McDonald’s employees. However, McDonald’s employees who meet all requirements are eligible to apply.
How are you planning to grow the scholarship program in the future?
We want to continue to generate and create public awareness of the scholarship program. Tell our schools, guidance counselors and parents of the great impact that the RMHC-AAFA can have on their children’s future education. We must get the word out for our students to go online and apply. Applying for the application is the first step to obtaining a scholarship. We are focusing our efforts at building awareness and excitement for the scholarship program, its supporters and the local chapter’s other initiatives.
For more information on these organizations and future scholarships, please visit https://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/students/scholarships.html
