Magic Johnson, pals raise $1 million for Lansing scholarship program

LANSING – Earvin "Magic" Johnson said he owes his success on the basketball court and in the world of business to his Lansing upbringing.

So the former NBA star called on a few friends and reached into his own pocket to help Lansing children go to college and achieve their dreams.

"Lansing was the greatest place in the world to grow up," Johnson told about 1,000 people at a fundraising dinner hosted by the Lansing Regional Chamber Economic Club on Thursday night. "Everything I am came from Lansing, Michigan. Everything I will be came from Lansing, Michigan."

The 1977 Everett High School grad helped raise about $1 million in new donations for the Lansing Promise scholarship program, which provides tuition aid for students in the Lansing School District.

That figure includes about $200,000 from the dinner and $800,000 from Johnson and a handful of friends. Johnson kicked in $300,000 of that sum, and Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores promised $250,000, the former basketball star said. Former Los Angeles Lakers coach Pat Riley also coughed up $25,000, he said.

Johnson apparently kept those figures to himself until he had nearly finished his presentation at the Lansing Center.

"Lansing was changed tonight," said Kellie Dean, who chairs the Lansing Promise scholarship program. "I believe that we've launched a new era."

"I was speechless," Lansing School Board President Peter Spadafore said. "I was thinking it would be more like $200,000. This community is willing to invest in the Lansing School District. It makes me very proud."

Johnson said he plans to make the fundraiser an annual event.

"I want to change it to a dinner dance next year," he said during a news conference before the dinner. "We can bring in a big act. We can have it on a Friday or Saturday night. We're going to have one or two speeches, give away some money and then we're going to have a good time. We want to keep it rolling and make it different because people will support this ... program."

The fledgling scholarship program had raised a total of about $1.5 million over its first four years, officials said. The program acts as a last line of financial aid for students who graduate from public and private schools within the boundaries of the Lansing School District.

Officials hope to expand it to include vocational training. The program is due to get a boost from tax increment financing in 2016.

So far, it has provided tuition aid to more than 300 students who went on to attend Lansing Community College or Michigan State University.

During his dinner presentation, Johnson spoke directly to the dozens of Lansing school kids in attendance, urging them to get a good education so they can attain their dreams. He also answered a series of questions from students and adults.

"I want to be here because it's important for me to be here," Johnson told reporters. "I want to support these young people because somebody supported me and I understand their goals and dreams. So if I can help in way way — a small way, a big way — I'm here to do so."

Johnson promised to help the district after his food service business, SodexoMAGIC, received a contract with Lansing schools last summer.

His Magic Johnson Foundation has awarded about 150 scholarships for students across the county, including some from Lansing, he said. It has also built 18 technology centers and sponsored job and health fairs, he said.