NBA legend and recent co-owner of the Washington Commanders, Magic Johnson, addressed approximately 200 students from D.C. public schools at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington.
During his speech, he shared his personal journey to success and encouraged the students to pursue their dreams, take their education seriously, and put in hard work.
“Just because I grew up poor didn’t mean I had poor dreams. If I can do all of those things, guess what you can do? Put your mind on doing something great. Education is key.” Johnson advised, according to WJLA 7 News.
Johnson disclosed that he himself had benefited from the Boys & Girls Club, and without them, he wouldn’t have achieved his NBA career. As a result, he decided to assist a student in opening a bank account that day.
He surprised two students by giving them cash. One student received $1,000, while a 13-year-old boy called Kanga Gwanyama got $5,000, with a reminder to save most of it.
“So now that young kid will have a bank account, and he’ll start understanding finance. He’ll understand, I can’t touch that. I have to save. I have to do things. That’s what happened to me. Somebody taught me that early on”, Johnson said, according to DC News Now.
Johnson also donated $50,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington through the Washington Commanders’ charitable foundation. After his talk, he shared suite tickets to an upcoming game, along with field passes and autographed number 32 Washington Commanders jerseys.
WJLA News 7 mentioned that this was Johnson’s first public appearance since becoming a co-owner of the Commanders group led by Josh Harris. WDBJ 7 also noted that Johnson’s visit was just one stop on a general tour of the area by owners leading up to the season opener.
The owners have been touring the area, introducing themselves to players, coaches, and the supportive community following the change in ownership from Dan Snyder.
“It’s important because now all African Americans and minorities in this country feel like they’re owners of this team too,” Johnson explained to DC News Now.
