2021 LIVING LEGEND
Mya Smith-Edmonds, a native of Houston, Texas, is the first female African-American next generation McDonald’s owner/operator, owning seven McDonald’s restaurants in Central Indiana. She serves as a board member for the Greater Indiana Operators, president and secretary of the Central Indiana Black McDonald’s Operators Association and has earned the Trailblazer Award for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO Indianapolis), was a recipient of the Galore Distinction Award, a recipient of the Opulence Award, Faith Award, featured in the d-mars.com publication for being awarded as one of their Top 30 Influential Women of Houston, featured in and on the cover of PURPOSE Magazine, featured in SHEEN Magazine, Multiple Streams Magazine, Indy Metro Magazine, Style Magazine, and others. Smith-Edmonds was awarded Woman of the Year by PBMA, in which she received recognition from United States Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, Sylvia Garcia, Mayor of the City of Houston, Sylvester Turner, and Councilwoman Amanda K. Edwards. Her most recent honor is recognition in CORE Magazine as a CORE 100 Most Influential Blacks Today in 2021.
Smith-Edmonds was awarded a proclamation declaring an official day to be named after her; the “Myasha “Mya” Smith-Edmonds Day” by the Mayor of the City of Houston, Sylvester Turner.
At 13, Smith-Edmonds began working at her father’s McDonald’s, where she developed her strong work ethic, accountability, discipline, and focus. Smith-Edmonds graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and minor in African-American Studies. She went on to become a certified public accountant at Deloitte & Touche, one of the largest accounting firms in the world.
During her career development years, Smith-Edmonds earned various awards as a program director with KCOH radio station and numerous more as an independent business owner with Ameriplan USA. Committed to helping others build their businesses utilizing biblical principles, Smith-Edmonds was awarded the honor of becoming the youngest national sales director and earned the privilege of speaking on several panels during the annual Ameriplan national conventions.
In 2008, Smith-Edmonds embarked on her ultimate dream; following in her father’s footsteps and becoming a successful McDonald’s owner.
During her required 2-5-year program, which she completed with highest honors on every level, she became a general manager and was awarded the Ray Kroc Award, an achievement earned by the top 1% performers in the McDonald’s system.
Smith-Edmonds is the co-founder of the nonprofit organization, the Smith Foundation, Inc. This organization’s mission is to send children to college, provide food for those in need, provide Christmas toys, and supply school supplies for underprivileged students and communities.
Smith-Edmonds is also a real estate investor and author.
She is co-author of the books:
- “When Married Women Speak!”
- “Prayers For The Boss Babes – Volume 2”
- “Lessons from COVID-19 2020 26 Stories One Pandemic” (An Amazon’s #1 Best Seller)
Smith-Edmonds is grateful and inspired to continue to be a blessing to others and the Kingdom of God. She is a public speaker and has a genuine heart and special love for children. She enjoys coordinating community give-a-ways with local businesses and avidly supporting empowerment youth programs like Ladies of Great Purpose and the Positive Black Male Association’s Reaching Youth Everywhere RYE Program.
What she loves most is serving God and being a wife to her amazing husband, Emmanuelle Edmonds.
Mya Smith-Edmonds
Owner/Operator
McDonald’s
