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In part 2 of my conversation with Magic Johnson, we explore his vision for the partnership with Alchemy to expand HIV healthcare access in underserved communities, and discuss his winning philosophy across his business ventures, from sports team ownership to healthcare innovation.
Sid Viswanathan: Magic, you've had a pulse on urban America now for many decades, in all the businesses you've started in local communities, yet still today, I think you mentioned this before, one in eight folks with HIV are walking around without even knowing they have the virus. So what do you think it's going to take to close that gap and bring better health care into Black and Brown communities in America?
Earvin “Magic” Johnson: I think it's just what we're doing, right? With Alchemy and Magic Johnson coming together, you got a trusted voice in Magic Johnson, you got Alchemy who has a great business, who's been doing this for a long time. So we come together and then we go out and we build these clinics right into the neighborhood, start these clinics right in the neighborhood.
And now we can test people as well. We can get them tested. Now we have the proper care for them right there. So we're going to drive people and we're going to have great partnerships with the churches and different black organizations and Latino organizations that we can say, “Hey, you have to help us”. We have to get these people tested. So drive your people who come to your churches or come to your organization within the community, drive them to us because we only want to help and get them the proper care that they deserve and need.
Sid: Amazing. You've done so much now in your career working with AIDS and HIV organizations across the country and world. You started your own foundation. What's left in the Magic Johnson legacy in terms of HIV awareness and access? What do you think the next decade holds and what do you have left in your career for bringing down the stigma even further?
Magic: Well, I think, Sid, this is it right here. I think that we could only do so much on our own as the Magic Johnson Foundation. We needed an organization like Alchemy to come in who has the know-how, the knowledge on how to operate clinics, also how to have the proper care, the proper pharmacies that can take care of people, but have them in the community. So it's easy access to those who live in urban America.
And so that's what's next for me, so that we can drive the numbers down in the Black and Brown community. And we can make a difference at the same time. And so, I've done a lot, but there's a lot more to do. And when you have strong partnerships, you can do it together. You bring expertise, I bring expertise. So when we come together, wow. Wow.
Sid: There's 3000 HIV clinics across the country. And I think every single one needs a pharmacy. So we're going to get out there and do that together.
Magic: I look forward to it. And thank you for, you know, considering me because you could have done a lot on your own. I could have done a lot on my own, but together…
Sid: It's our honor to work with you. I want to end with your legacy of winning. You talk about winning at every single stage and every single level in your life from sports to the boardroom to owning businesses. But you know how I know that's really true? Let me tell you the story. My first job in high school I actually was a stadium usher for the then Washington Redskins football team. We didn't win a damn thing for 25 years. And all of a sudden the Magic Man shows up and now everybody's talking about the Commanders, and I want to ask you: Did you see this Jayden Daniels kid coming up? Was this part of the cards that you had?
Magic: I want to win at everything I do. People who hang around me know that about me. So let's go back to this. The Commanders: we're winning, The Dodgers: the best record in baseball, We're going into the playoffs. [editors note: they won the World Series] LA FC: we're qualified for the playoffs. Washington Spirit, the women's soccer team: they're going to the playoffs.
So when I think about everything that I have going on, all the teams are successful, but also this is going to be successful too. You're a winner, I'm a winner and we're going to win for those who live in those communities that we're going to build our business in. And we're going to do a great job of caring for those same people as well.
So we're going to provide great medicine, great care. We're going to continue to talk about prevention and awareness. And so I'm ready.
Sid: I'm ready, I can’t wait. I'm going to say it here. I think there's two things left in the Magic Johnson legacy: It's bringing a Superbowl to Washington and making Alchemy a wild success.
Magic: I'm up for both of them.
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