NAACP, Civil Rights Leaders Launch Nationwide Community Alliance with Denny’s, America’s Diner 

WASHINGTON – Today, NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson joined Denny’s President & CEO, Kelli Valade, theHon. Frederica Wilson, Mayor of Miami Gardens, Rodney Harris, Attorney Ben Crump, HACR Chief Operations Officer Sylvia Pérez Cash & more to launch the Denny’s CommunityAlliance.The alliance, which builds upon Denny’s decades-long partnership with the NAACP and other civil rights organizations, will invest more than $3 million in a 5-year partnershipthat seeks to provide underrepresented communities with the resources and support they need while advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the corporate sector.

NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson who attended the launch at the St. Thomas University Benjamin L. Crump College of Law, reflected on today’s news in the following statement:

During the launch, Denny’s CEO and President Kelli Valade signed the Community Alliance agreement and presented a $500,000 scholarship gift from Denny’s to the College of Law in support of its commitment to social justice, with further programs and activities unfolding nationwide with the Denny’s Community partner organizations.

“With the establishment of Denny’s Community initiative, we are continuing our work to connect with our guests and others in our communities,”said Denny’s President & CEO, Kelli Valade. “Our partners are the embodiment of service and how to prioritize equity. We are honored to create this alliance that will impact and address challenges facing our society while breaking barriers to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world for all.”

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.

Denny’s is a Spartanburg, S.C.-based family dining restaurant brand that has been welcoming guests to our booths for more than 70 years. Our guiding principle is simple: We love to feed people. Denny’s provides craveable meals at a meaningful value across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night. Whether it’s at our brick-and-mortar locations, via Denny’s on Demand (the first delivery platform in the family dining segment), or at The Meltdown, Banda Burrito, and The Burger Den, our three virtual restaurant concepts, Denny’s is ready to delight guests whenever and however they want to order. Our longstanding commitment to supporting our local communities in need is brought to life with our Mobile Relief Diner (that delivers hot meals to our neighbors during times of disaster), Denny’s Hungry for EducationTM scholarship program, and our annual fundraiser with No Kid Hungry.

Denny’s is one of the largest franchised full-service restaurant brands in the world, based on the

number of restaurants. As of March 27, 2024, the Company consisted of 1,553 restaurants, 1,489 of which were franchised and licensed restaurants and 64 of which were company-operated. This includes 168 restaurants in Canada, Costa Rica, Curacao, El Salvador, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.