Rolling out recently sat down with Stephan Labossiere, aka “Stephan Speaks,” a certified relationship coach, speaker and author; Dr. Jackie Walters, OB/GYN and star of reality TV show “Married to Medicine,” and Phaedra Parks, attorney, entrepreneur and star of reality TV show “Real Housewives of Atlanta.” Our goal was to tap into their vast knowledge about community and leadership. And for them to share their vision.
Labossiere examines the community’s role in developing entrepreneurs. “We need to help people in the community understand how they can start their business, especially with young Black men. Black women index higher than Black men in terms of becoming an entrepreneur. We can show Black men how this works and leads to wealth.”
We share that sentiment with Labossiere and are proud to share that for the Black community, McDonald’s is not only on your corner but they are also in your corner. McDonald’s is a great place for people to work and to become entrepreneurs. Ninety percent of McDonald’s restaurants nationwide are owned and operated by individuals. McDonald’s enhances the communities it serves by contributing to its tax base which keeps the economy stable and drives commerce.
During her shoot, Parks outlined steps to building a leader and a community. “Community betterment is important to me. For one, I am a part of the community. And, everything is enriched. We’re pouring into others and ourselves. We must recognize we are on the same journey to be better, making people and making our companies better. The late great Muhammad Ali said, ‘Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth,’ ” she said.
Lastly, Dr. Jackie talks about the intricacies of her community, growing up in Mississippi. “Having come from a small city in Mississippi, I didn’t see a lot of diversity. It was others and us. Seeing McDonald’s sow back into [the] community and embrace diversity is powerful. What better way to make the world equal and fair, and that is diversity,” she says.
This editorial is sponsored by your local McDonald’s restaurants, which are invested in the communities they serve through various employment, educational, and community engagement initiatives. Find out what it means to have someone “On Your Corner, In Your Corner.”
Watch the video and share your thoughts and comments online and include the hashtag #McDOnYourCorner.
