Sherri Shepherd, Tom Joyner to Host McDonald's 365 Black Awards

'The View' co-host Sherri Shepherd has been chosen to co-host McDonald's 365 Black Awards on July 2 at the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans with nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner.

The annual award event, which takes place at the beginning of the Essence Music Festival weekend, recognizes African-Americans leaders who have contributed to bettering the lives of African-Americans around the country.

The 365Black Awards were launched as an extension to the fast food company's initiative to celebrate the achievements of African-Americans year-long.

While in New Orleans, Shepherd and Joyner will also participate in the Essence Empowerment Summits during Fourth of July weekend.

This year, Harvard professor and cultural anthropologist Dr. Henry Louis Gates, CEO of National Black McDonald's Operators Association and New Jersey Operator Rita Mack, Friends of the Ronald McDonald House Charities and philanthropic celebrity couple Rodney and Holly Robinson Peete, and Category 5 Lieutenant General Russel Honore, who led Task Force Katrina during the aftermath of the devastating hurricane.

Previous honorees include Rev. Jesse Jackson, former Essence Magazine editor-in-chief Susan Taylor, former Spelman College president Dr. Johnetta B. Cole and former NBA player Alonzo Mourning.

Grammy Award-winning singer Regina Bell is also slated to perform at the awards luncheon. Guests in attendance will enjoy a special VIP 'In the Golden' spotlight-themed reception immediately before the event.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=884836&pid=884835&uts=1274485740

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf