New Orleans' Teen Among Celebrities Honored at McDonald's 365Black Awards

NEW ORLEANS - Aug. 24, 2015 - PRLog -- Business men and women aren't the only ones that can have an impact in their community.  For the second consecutive year, McDonald's 365Black Awards honors excellence amongst teen leaders with the Community Choice Youth Award.

Over the past 12 years McDonald's has honored Black excellence during the Essence Festival in New Orleans with its annual 365Black Awards.

Recognizing celebrities and exceptional every day leaders who make positive contributions within the African-American community, this year the 365Black Awards paid homage to screenwriter and director Ava Duvernay, gospel recording artist Marvin Sapp, award winning journalist Jeff Johnson, National Urban League President and CEO and former Mayor of New Orleans, Mark Morial and McDonald's Owner/Operator Carolyn Hunter.

Tori Turner, a New Orleans native was one of two youth selected as the community choice youth award recipients alongside Aaron Johnson, 14 year old filmmaker from Miami, Florida.

Turner is the CEO of T Star Entertainment & Reign Drop Teen Publications, Inc. and is the founder of Tori Turner's D.R.E.A.M. BIG Foundation.  Tori was also crowned 2012 Miss Black Louisiana USA Teen and 2013 Miss Teen Louisiana International.

As the 2012 Miss Black Louisiana USA Teen, Turner was awarded the National Community Service Award given to the state delegate that has given the most to her community in service and beyond.  She was also honored with the Presidential volunteer service award in 2012 by President Barack Obama's administration.

Tori founded the Tori Turner's D.R.E.A.M. BIG Foundation at 12 years old with the mission of supporting other youth's dreams in and around Louisiana.  The foundation has issued thousands in scholarships to deserving youths.

As one of the youngest published authors in the country, the teen author secured her first publishing offer at 13 years old and is now set to release her 3rd published work, "Teen Queens:  Royal Secrets" under her own company Reign Drop Teen Publications in December 2015.

Learn more about Tori Turner on social media @officialtoriturner and www.officialtoriturner.com

McDonald's 365Black Awards launched in 2003 as an extension of the company's 365Black platform, which celebrates the pride, heritage and achievements of African Americans year-round.

The 2015 show aired Sunday August 23rd on BET.  You can catch encore presentations on BET, Sunday August 30 at 10ET/9C pm and on Centric August 30 7E/6C pm or on Monday August 31st 12am/11c pm.

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