EARVIN "MAGIC" JOHNSON

Lifetime Achievement Award

Earvin Johnson, Jr. is Founder and Chairman of the Magic Johnson Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to developing programs and supporting services that address the educational, health and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities.

Founded in 1991, the Magic Johnson Foundation (MJF) has become one of the most recognizable charitable organizations around the world. Over the past few years, the MJF has awarded more than $1.1 million to community-based organizations that focus on HIV/AIDS education and prevention, established four HIV/AIDS clinics and has co-created the award-winning "I Stand With Magic" campaign to end HIV/AIDS in the black community.

Additionally, the MJF has supported more than 800 minority high school students with college scholarships (many through the organization's Taylor Michael's Scholarship Program), opened 19 Magic Johnson Community Empowerment Centers located in underserved communities across the country, and provides a range of community-based initiatives including an annual children's Mardi Gras, holiday toy drive and semi-annual job fair.

Mr. Johnson is also Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Magic Johnson Enterprises. Through strategic investments, partnerships and endorsements, Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE) has bolstered the economy by establishing brand name businesses in underserved communities, training and hiring local residents and employing local contractors.

Mr. Johnson is universally known for his 13 year career in the NBA. His honors include: five national championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, 3 MVP awards, 12 NBA All-Star games, a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain and induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.