Magic Johnson – Civil Rights Award
AMW !.e. Talent: Andrea M. White
August 2, 2007
On July 24, Magic Johnson was named as a recipient of the National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Award. The museum holds this event each fall in honor of individuals who are significant contributors in civil rights and are future leaders for the fight for human rights. Individuals who have received the Freedom Award have had a global impact, or have impacted human and civil rights abroad. Some of the prior recipients of this award include Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Oprah and Bono.
Located in Memphis, The National Civil Rights Museum is actually the Lorraine Hotel, the site of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. Magic was nominated by the museum for work he has accomplished since leaving the NBA, by promoting economic development, health care and education in low-income neighborhoods and “underserved communities.” Along with Johnson, other Freedom Award recipients include Dr. John Hope Franklin, James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of History, also the author of many books including his most famous, From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African-Americans, now in its seventh edition. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, First female president of Liberia is also a recipient.
Magic’s resume is indeed impressive: Johnson Development Corporation includes Magic Johnson Theatres, T.G.I. Fridays, Starbucks, Washington Mutual (home lending), Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund (real estate), and the Magic Johnson Youth Foundation, which has established four HIV/AIDS clinics located in Los Angeles, Jacksonville, Oakland, and San Francisco. For all of his accomplishments and his fight to overcome the pitfalls that have affected his life, Magic Johnson is an iconic symbol for our community and highly deserving of the Freedom Award. For more information about The National Civil Rights Museum and/or the Freedom award recipients I encourage everyone to visit http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org.
editor note: Magic Johnson is truly an example of what we consider Amerikaz Most Wanted (read below for what we believe AMW is or visit amwie.com) who do you believe should be a civil rights award winner? please feel free to comment...
