The Magic Johnson Foundation (MJF) recently announced the launch of Point Forward Day, a national day of awareness and action to celebrate its 20 years of impact.
The Foundation’s 20th anniversary campaign (MJF:20) will kick off with a press conference featuring Earvin “Magic” Johnson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Nov 7, exactly 20 years to the date that one of the world’s greatest basketball players announced his HIV status and subsequent retirement from the NBA.
Johnson pledged to transition his performance on the basketball court to philanthropy through the creation of the Magic Johnson Foundation and continues to have an significant record of service to urban communities.
For more than two decades, MJF has served and enriched urban communities nationwide through its three program pillars: HIV/AIDS testing and awareness, Community Empowerment Centers (CECs) and the Taylor Michaels Scholarship Program (TMSP).
“It is time for the Magic Johnson Foundation to communicate the impact we have had in urban communities across the United States. Point Forward Day is about getting involved and giving back like Magic has done. It is time for all of us to stop spectating and start doing. Through our continued work in educational empowerment, it is our hope to cyclically cultivate, inspire, and help to achieve self sufficiency in underserved communities,” said Amelia Williamson, interim president of the Magic Johnson Foundation.
One in five people living with HIV don’t know their status. On Point Forward Day, the Foundation asks Americans to join together and learn their status. In partnership with AIDS Healthcare Foundation, MJF will host free confidential testing events in cities across America. At select CEC locations, testing will include participation from government officials, dignitaries and athletes who will lead their communities by getting tested first at on-site mobile units.
Mobile testing units will be available in the following communities: Atlanta, Brooklyn, Bronx, Chicago, Dallas, D.C., East Harlem, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, North Miami, San Antonio, Hampton, Wilton Manors, and Marrero.
Nine of MJF’s 17 Community Empowerment Centers will also join in Point Forward Day celebrations by hosting community events. The Magic Johnson Foundation will make new commitments to empowering communities, including technology assistance to urban areas and focusing on issues like literacy and reading readiness going into its 20th anniversary year. The Foundation’s Taylor Michaels Scholarship recipients and alumni will coordinate the festivities on Point Forward Day. Host cities include: Oakland, Sacramento, Harlem, North Miami, Cleveland, Carson, Bladensburg, Eastover/Columbia, and Bennettsville.
Point Forward Day is made possible through the generosity of its title sponsor, Wells Fargo, which has been a longtime supporter of the Magic Johnson Foundation. Best Buy, Cisco, FedEx, Grockit, IBM, AEG, and Walgreens will be providing additional local and national support through technical assistance, employee engagement and in-kind contributions.
Celebrities and athletes are joining the campaign through a social media initiative aimed at raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. Dwyane Wade, Ludacris, Justin Bieber, Kobe Bryant, Adrian Peterson, Pau Gasol, Paula Abdul, Steve Nash, Monique Coleman, Faith Evans, Blair Underwood, and more are pledging their support through Facebook, Twitter and Tout and are encouraging fans to get tested on Point Forward Day.
To learn more about the Magic Johnson Foundation or for additional information on Point Forward Day, visit magicjohnson.com/pointforward. To donate and support the foundation’s efforts, text MAGIC to 80888 and reply with “YES” to finalize the donation.
