NBA Legend, Hall of Famer, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
UB's 39th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Keynote Speaker

NBA legend, two-time Hall of Famer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and motivational speaker are just a few honors of distinction possessed by Earvin "Magic" Johnson. The business mogul has successfully parlayed his skills and tenacity on the court into the business world, propelling his company to the status of No. 1 Urban Brand in America.

A former point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, he spent 13 seasons in the NBA. After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers. He won a championship and an NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award in his rookie season, and won four more championships with the Lakers during the 1980s. Johnson retired abruptly in 1991 after announcing that he had contracted HIV, but returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award. He retired again for four years, but returned in 1996 and played 32 games for the Lakers before retiring for the third and final time.

Johnson was a three-time NBA MVP, made nine finals appearances and was named to 12 all-star teams. He was a member of the 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team [The Dream Team] which won the Olympic gold medal in 1992. Johnson was named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996, and elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002 for his individual career, and again in 2010 as a member of the Olympic team. The story of Johnson and Larry Bird's inspiring friendship and rivalry was unveiled April 2012 in "Magic & Bird" on Broadway.

Johnson is currently the Chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE), which provides high quality products and services that focus primarily on ethnically diverse and underserved urban communities through strategic alliances, investments, consulting and endorsements. The conglomerate is comprised of multiple business entities and partnerships that include among others: Yucaipa Johnson, a $500 million dollar private equity fund; ASPIRE, an African-American television network; SodexoMAGIC, a foodservice and facilities management company; Clear Health Alliance, a healthcare provider with a specialty plan for HIV/AIDS patients; and Magic Airport Holdings including Magic Johnson Sports. Johnson also is part of a group of investors that purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012 and the Los Angeles Sparks in 2014.

Johnson serves as Chairman and Founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation, where his unwavering commitment to transform Urban America continues through HIV/AIDS Awareness & Prevention Programs, Community Empowerment Centers, and the Taylor Michaels Scholarship Program. The Magic Johnson Foundation has become one of the most recognizable philanthropic organizations around the world.