Dave M. | Franchisee | Houston, Texas, USA

Dave Moss says the restaurant displays are just one of many ways he hopes to spark important conversations about race that accelerate social change.

Access Black Lives Matter: “It’s time for all of us to come together and take action.” | McFamily video with audio descriptions on YouTube.

As Houston prepared for George Floyd’s funeral, local franchisee Dave Moss took to his restaurant marquees in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. 

An Owner/Operator of seven McDonald’s restaurants in the Houston area for 35 years, he’s an outspoken and prominent leader in the Black community and the larger McFamily.

We asked Dave to speak with us after seeing a Tweet from a local reporter picturing him and one of his signs. He agreed to talk with us about his experience and share his viewpoint on the current moment in our country. We hope this is the first of many voices we will share on this platform to elevate the important issue of diversity and inclusion.

I’m a Black man first, and a Black McDonald’s owner second. 

In the wake of protests following George Floyd’s death, I decided to use my restaurant signs around Houston to share the Black Lives Matter message. It’s a very sad moment in our country and I want to set an example and represent those who don’t have a voice.

As a business person, I am very involved in my community and I am committed to all of the communities where I operate my seven stores, including the Third Ward where George Floyd grew up. I serve on the local boards of the Urban League, NAACP and other organizations. I’m honored to offer many jobs at my restaurants and through a program I’ve started to promote employment for Black youth that’s being adopted by our Houston mayor. I believe in being a leader and a doer, not a naysayer. 

But as a Black male, I’ve been through the struggle and I’ve experienced discrimination. I know the feeling and I’m concerned for our community. I’ve worked to protect my children from racism, and as an employer, I work to do the same for my crew. During the pandemic, when McDonald’s workers are considered essential, I’ve given my crew letters of employment and my business card so if they are questioned, they can explain why they’re out. My Black or Brown crew members – nor my children – should not have to go out of their way to be prepared for those interactions. 

It is time for a change, and I believe the messages we put out there are so important right now. I’m using my reader boards and my voice to send a message of strength and solidarity to my crew and my city. Black Lives Matter is more than a phrase, it’s a movement, and my displays are just one of many ways I will speak out to spark the important conversations we need to have and inspire others to join the cause.

What other actions can we take to combat racism and violence against Black people? We need to get to the root cause of what is happening, and ask ourselves, ‘Are we doing all we can to put an end to it?' The outrage is international. It’s time for all people to come together, no matter their color, to stop the senseless killing of Black people. As responsible and intelligent individuals, we must demand a seat at the table. We must work with the powers that be at all levels of government, and we must use our vote to make sure our voices are heard.