Magic and Cookie Johnson on HIV/AIDS Awareness and Their Concerns That ‘Young People are Not Scared’
20.09.2023 - 23:03
/ variety.com
BreAnna Bell When Earvin “Magic” Johnson revealed his HIV diagnosis to the world in 1991, not much was known about the immune disease and fear was high. Johnson didn’t know what his future would look like, or how the world would receive the news. But, as he tells Variety, he knew that he still wanted to be with his wife, Cookie, forever.
And the feeling was mutual. Despite the odds being against the Lakers legend, he went on to play for several more years until retiring in 1996. Magic and Cookie Johnson became HIV/AIDS activists, aiming to educate the public and raise funds for medical research.
Through their Magic Johnson foundation, the couple has given over $15 million to underserved Black and other communities of color across the country. That’s why, on Sept. 21, the couple will be honored with the Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award at the Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS.
Hosted by Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance, the Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS will be held at the Beverly Hills Hotel. “We’re in line with each other because the Elizabeth Taylor Foundation, they do a lot of work in underserved communities and that’s where Cookie and I built our business,” Magic Johnson told Variety.
“We were out educating people in the Black and brown community, and we raised a lot of money to takeucare of people. Cookie and I had the same mindset, had the same heart. We wanted to bring an end to HIV and AIDS in any way that we could.
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