Earvin “Magic” Johnson Named Keynote Speaker for Tri-C Foundation Presidential Scholarship Luncheon

Basketball icon and business leader headlines scholarship event

CLEVELAND — Earvin “Magic” Johnson, a basketball legend who built a business empire by focusing on underserved urban communities, will be the keynote speaker at the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation’s 2015 Presidential Scholarship Luncheon.

The event to benefit student scholarships at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel on Public Square.

Since its inception in 1992, the Presidential Scholarship Luncheon has raised more than $15 million to help Tri-C students with financial need pursue higher education and achieve their dreams.

“Supporters of the luncheon have changed thousands of lives over the years,” said Richard A. Chiricosta, chairperson of the Tri-C Foundation. ““The scholarships created through the luncheon provide critically needed funds for those who might otherwise be unable to afford a college education.”

Johnson joins a list of distinguished speakers to headline the event, including Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The Hall of Fame basketball player won five NBA championships and three Most Valuable Player awards with the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring and turning his talent and energy toward the business world.

Today, Johnson serves as chair and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises. The company has provided corporate America with a blueprint for redeveloping urban communities through a variety of business ventures.

As a member of Guggenheim Baseball Management, Johnson became an owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team in 2012. He and some of the partners at GBM purchased the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA in 2014.

Johnson also serves as chair and founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation, a philanthropic organization with an unwavering commitment to transform urban American. The foundation’s efforts include Community Empowerment Centers and HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention programs.

“We’re honored that ‘Magic’ Johnson is joining us for our annual luncheon to support scholarships that are so important to our students,” said Gloria Moosmann, vice president of development and the Tri-C Foundation. “It will be an inspiring and entertaining event.”

For ticket information, call the Tri-C Foundation at 216-987-4868.

June 02, 2015

John Horton, 216-987-4281 john.horton@tri-c.edu