APRIL 23, 2012

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jr.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jr., universally known for his 13-year career in the NBA, will address the Central State University Department of Athletics’ Leadership Speaker Series on April 23. Initiated by Kellen Winslow, Sr., Director of Athletics at Central State, the CSU Leadership Speaker Series is designed to provide effective motivational programs to provide professional development and staff enhancement opportunities for area businesses and organizations.

Through strategic investments, partnerships and endorsements, Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE) provides products and services that particularly focus on ethnically diverse urban communities. The MJE philosophy is that all business ventures must have a redeeming social value. Johnson’s growing business empire includes a variety of subsidiaries such as Johnson Development Corporation, Magic Johnson Theatres, Magic Johnson All-Star Camps, Magic Johnson T's, and Magic Johnson Entertainment.

Additional MJE initiatives include SodexoMagic, LLC, and partnerships with Aetna and Best Buy. SodexoMagic, LLC provides an extensive portfolio of food and facilities management services as well as offers signature-dining facilities. MJE’s alliance with Aetna will empower businesses and ethnically diverse communities to make informed choices about health care options by improving health care literacy and demonstrating the benefits of wellness.

Similarly, MJE has entered into a multi-year relationship with retail giant Best Buy to enhance urban retail growth strategies and implement diversity outreach with multicultural consumers. Johnson’s newest venture MAGIC Workforce Solutions (MWS) will provide “best in class” staffing services and connect employers of today with the workforce of tomorrow.

Johnson’s businesses have been at the forefront of urban development, raising the understanding of the importance of the multicultural consumer and are directly responsible for tremendous growth across the country. Through MJE, Johnson has bolstered the economy by establishing brand name businesses in underserved communities, training and hiring local residents, employing local contractors, and opening the door for other businesses to find success in diverse communities.

Beyond the business world, Johnson is chairman and founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation, Inc., dedicated to developing programs and supporting services that address the educational, health and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities.

Founded in 1991, MJF has become one of the most recognizable charitable organizations around the world, providing funding for 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 minority high school students with college scholarships (many through the organization’s Taylor Michaels Scholarship Program), opened Magic Johnson Community Empowerment Centers located in underserved communities across the country, and provides a range of community-based initiatives including an annual kid’s Mardi Gras, a holiday toy drive and a semi-annual job fair.

Johnson is more than an athletic hero and role model. Building on his athletic career which included five national championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, three MVP awards, 12 NBA All-Star games, a Gold Medal at the 1992 Olympics, and induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Johnson also has become a successful businessman and philanthropist.

Johnson’s appearance is the final presentation in the 2011-2012 CSU Leadership Speaker Series which has included presentations Anthony Munoz, Cincinnati Bengals Hall of Fame Offensive Tackle; Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back; and Reggie Williams, former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker and vice president of Disney Sports Attractions.

For additional information regarding the CSU Leadership Speaker Series, contact: Jahan Culbreath, Associate Director of Athletics, at 937/376-6295.

Event Directions

Motivate and Inspire your staff
Leadership:
Host:
Professional Development:
Become a Founding Member:

The ability to guide, direct, or influence people; the vision and skill required to guide men and women to a singular goal. A relevant and popular example of guiding, directing, and influencing people is the world of sports; leadership and sports are synonymous.

Host Kellen Winslow, Athletic Director, and the Athletic Department of Central State University invites your company to an exciting leadership development seminar series. The 2011-2012 Leadership Speaker Series is designed to motivate, educate, inspire, and guide your company to new heights. This Leadership Speaker Series offers companies the necessary tools for employee motivation and retention, leadership development, staff advancement resource, and a client incentive event.

High quality professional development is essential for staff enhancement. This dynamic series offers you a cost effective leadership development and motivational tool to meet your company’s professional development requirements. This is an opportunity for your company to become a founding member of the CSU Leadership Speaker Series. Be one of the first companies to secure your table at this exciting, engaging, and energizing event. The cost of your membership is the inaugural rate of $6,000 for the entire 2011-2012 series.  Your organization will be accommodated comfortably at a table for ten for the breakfast and keynote. Following the event, your party will be guided to a reception line for an opportunity to personally meet and be photographed with the keynote speaker of the day.