Magic Johnson: Bringing Big Brands to Urban Communities

Sure, we all know that Magic Johnson is a huge basketball star.  Some would even argue that he’s a household name.  But did you know that he’s an entrepreneur too?  Not only that, but his business brings big names to inner city neighborhoods.

His company’s name is Johnson Development Enterprises.  With ownership of Starbucks Coffee shops in urban communities, Magic has bragging rights of being the only Starbucks franchisee.  After opening Starbucks shops in several urban areas around the country Magic Johnson enterprise followed up by opening movie theatres in these areas as well.

Magic’s influence didn’t stop there though.  He introduced NASCAR to it’s first minority supplier with the addition of Kairi’s BubbaQ in 2007.

What does this star basketball player do with the profits?  Some of it goes to the Magic Johnson Foundation, this foundation in turn gives money to community-based organizations that focus on HIV/AIDS education and prevention.

This former LA Laker who is still part owner of the team definitely knows how to pay his legendary success forward.  Now that’s what I call ‘magic’.