From the Town Hall Luncheon: Leadership and Inspiration from Earvin "Magic" Johnson
 Celebrated business mogul and NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson urged the next generation of business leaders to connect to the talent surrounding them during Thursday’s NBMBAA Town Hall Luncheon, presented by Nationwide.The Luncheon included presentation of top NBMBAA awards, including the Chairwoman’s Award to Debra L. Lee, Chairman and CEO of BET Networks. The Helping Hands Award went to David Harrison, Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion Student Services at The Ohio State University. But the main attraction was Johnson’s keynote address: "You’ve got to be bold. Young people, network with these people to get to the place you want to be. Get yourself a mentor. I was successful because I had [mentors] to help me," Johnson said. Johnson’s freewheeling remarks touched on his poverty-ridden childhood, his relentless competitive drive and the success of his businesses that focus on and hire from communities of color. "What I’m really proud of is that we employ 50,000 minorities across the country and they can take care of their families," Johnson said. But it was his commitment to developing young talent that repeatedly surfaced during his remarks, which he delivered offstage, opting to walk among the audience. He said that he and his wife, Cookie, provide scholarships to 150 students of color across the country. One of his longtime employees was discovered at an NBMBAA conference, he said. His eye for young talent was evident. After a young attendee asked Johnson and Debra Lee, chairman/CEO of BET Networks, a question during the Q&A, he also requested a photo. Johnson complimented the young man for his assertiveness and told him to let him know if he could do anything for him. The young man responded by providing his card as the audience applauded. Johnson said he appreciated the young man’s boldness and drive and that he would follow up with him. Johnson even gave one young attendee a welcoming chest bump and posed for photos with several others. Before he departed, he urged the young attendees to tap the expertise of the professionals present. "It’s great to see powerful, successful minorities in this room. It’s great to see they brought their companies here to hire you. Understand a lot comes with that. You’ve got to speak the part, dress the part... watch, listen, and ask questions when appropriate. "All of these people in this tier," he said, gesturing to the front of the ballroom, "started where you started, and now they are presidents and vice presidents and chairman of the board. Make sure you ask them questions." |
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