Writer and Cultural Critic Jamilah Lemieux Joins the McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden Mentors Roster and Surprises an Award-Winning Filmmaker and Activist with an Internship

The two discuss being a strong voice for change and more 

April 29, 2021 (Chicago) – The McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden Mentors series is back with the fifth episode capturing Writer and Cultural Critic Jamilah Lemieux sharing words of wisdom with 14-year-old, award-winning Filmmaker and Activist Anah Ambuchi. Fans can tune in to IGTV on @wearegolden starting today to hear Lemieux share industry gems and real-life experiences, while discussing the power of journalism.

“Every day, I strive to be the change I wish to see in the world and to fight for my beliefs,” says Anah Ambuchi, a Chicago native. “As an activist, Jamilah’s advice was so helpful for me as I continue my journey in the industry and as an activist committed to making the world better. It has been an honor and a blessing to be a Black & Positively Golden mentee.”

In addition to the enlightening conversation between the two, Ambuchi was gifted a professional video camera kit and internship with Free Spirit Media by Lemieux and McDonald’s. Free Spirit Media is an organization creating opportunities for Chicago’s inner-city youth to produce and distribute original content and to pursue artistic, personal, and professional aspirations.

As someone who knows a thing or two about staying true to oneself, Lemieux also encouraged Ambuchi to remain true to who she is. “That little voice inside of you… when you’re not being heard… when you’re not being treated fairly… when you’re not getting what you deserve, don’t ignore it,”says Lemieux. “Learn to call those things out.”

when you’re not being heard… when you’re not being treated fairly… when you’re not getting what you deserve, don’t ignore it."

The Black & Positively Golden Mentors program is one of many McDonald’s initiatives that is providing opportunities for the next generation of leaders taking steps today to own tomorrow. The company is committed to leveraging its scale to help serve up bright futures through opportunities for education and skills in the communities it serves.

"The gems Jamilah shared were helpful for Anah, and were some we can all learn from," said Joni Thrower Davis, a Michigan McDonald’s franchisee. “Their connection truly shows the value of mentorship and the importance of exposing youth to leaders with whom they can relate.” 

Their connection truly shows the value of mentorship and the importance of exposing youth to leaders with whom they can relate."

Launched last fall, the Black & Positively Golden Mentors program pairs industry leaders with up-and-coming changemakers in the same fields to give exclusive access to advice and guidance. Sixteen-year-old tech guru Ian Michael Brock, award-winning rapper and songwriter Big Sean, gospel legacy Kierra Sheard, and NASCAR driver and advocate Bubba Wallace all served as past mentors, with more to come this year.

Check out the fifth episode featuring Jamilah Lemieux and Ana Ambuchi today, and learn more about upcoming episodes at @wearegolden on Instagram. And be sure to visit blackandpositivelygolden.com to learn more about the McDonald’s  Black & Positively Golden movement.

About McDonald’s USA

McDonald's serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to more than 25 million customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. For more information, http://www.mcdonalds.com/, or follow us on Instagram at @WeAreGolden and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/mcdonalds. To learn more about the Black & Positively Golden initiative, visit www.mcdonalds.com.

About McDonald’s USA Education Efforts

McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden Mentors Program is just one of many company initiatives created to serve up bright futures and provide opportunity for education and skills in the communities we serve. These efforts also include the Black & Positively Golden HBCU Scholarship Fund, which is administered through Thurgood Marshall College Fund and helps students continue their undergraduate and graduate school education; the HACER® Education Tour, which provides information to help navigate the college application process; the Classroom Convos webinar program, which focuses on topics impacting Asian and Pacific Islander American students; and the Archways to Opportunity program, which provides educational resources to eligible crew at participating U.S. restaurants. Together, with franchisees, we are committed to offering opportunities to feed and foster our communities.