You’d have to be hiding under a rock to miss the recent headlines featuring disgraced Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling and beloved basketball star Magic Johnson. Sterling tried to drag Magic’s name through the mud several times – most recently in a broadcast TV interview with Anderson Cooper.
Shameless Idealist: Magic Johnson
Sterling went so far as to say Magic should be ashamed for how he contracted HIV and implied Magic had done nothing for his community and for minorities. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The Kensington team interviewed Magic for our documentary mini-series Shameless Idealists, released in 2012 in collaboration with Free the Children.
The retired basketball player, philanthropist and motivational speaker spoke openly with us about the racism he experienced growing up, about his storied basketball career, and how contracting HIV has changed and informed his worldview. He believes that to make the world a better place you have to try and make other peoples’ lives better. His Magic Johnson Foundation is dedicated to doing just that, empowering underserved communities and young people. “God blessed me to be successful in life,” said Johnson. “I want to go back and bless others in the community and have them be successful and make our community better.” Watch the clip below to learn how Magic Johnson has made his community better.
You can also watch the whole 22-minute documentary here! (Sorry, only streaming in Canada).