NBA legend, AIDS activist to speak at UA
Edward Humphrys
Issue date: 9/24/08 Section: News
The University of Arkansas Distinguished Lecture Committee announced that NBA star player turned entrepreneurial HIV/AIDS activist Earvin "Magic" Johnson will speak 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series. The lecture, which is in Barnhill Arena, is free and open to the public.
"Magic is an icon in the athletic world and is well-known by the common student," said Cody Kees, chair of the Distinguished Lecture Series. "While we want someone strong in the academic sense, we also want someone who can appeal to most students and draw a large crowd.
"Additionally, he has a very fascinating story involving a huge health crisis of our generation," Kees said. "He also brings to the table an advocate's story as someone who is working hard through his foundation to educate the public on the myths of HIV/AIDS and working to find a cure. He is a notable business professional and a very entertaining speaker. I feel comfortable he will electrify the audience and be an enjoyable speaker for not only athletes, but all students of any interest or background."
Johnson rose to prominence in the world of late '80s professional basketball, and by '91, he was one of the NBA's most famous players. While announcing his retirement on national TV, Johnson also announced he had contracted HIV. The announcement shocked the sports world and society, which were still largely ignorant of the details of the virus.
Aside from several resurgences into professional sports, including a spot on the victorious 1992 U.S. Olympic "Dream Team," Johnson became a spokesman for the victims of the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic, as well as a broad-spectrum philanthropic entrepreneur through his Magic Johnson Foundation and Enterprises. The latter organization specializes in establishing major franchises, such as Starbucks and Burger King, in ethnically diverse inner city neighborhoods, according to the Foundation's Web site.
The Foundation side of the organization has donated an amount exceeding $1.1 million to community organizations in America's inner cities that provide HIV/AIDS education and instructions on prevention, according to the press release.
"Magic is an icon in the athletic world and is well-known by the common student," said Cody Kees, chair of the Distinguished Lecture Series. "While we want someone strong in the academic sense, we also want someone who can appeal to most students and draw a large crowd.
"Additionally, he has a very fascinating story involving a huge health crisis of our generation," Kees said. "He also brings to the table an advocate's story as someone who is working hard through his foundation to educate the public on the myths of HIV/AIDS and working to find a cure. He is a notable business professional and a very entertaining speaker. I feel comfortable he will electrify the audience and be an enjoyable speaker for not only athletes, but all students of any interest or background."
Johnson rose to prominence in the world of late '80s professional basketball, and by '91, he was one of the NBA's most famous players. While announcing his retirement on national TV, Johnson also announced he had contracted HIV. The announcement shocked the sports world and society, which were still largely ignorant of the details of the virus.
Aside from several resurgences into professional sports, including a spot on the victorious 1992 U.S. Olympic "Dream Team," Johnson became a spokesman for the victims of the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic, as well as a broad-spectrum philanthropic entrepreneur through his Magic Johnson Foundation and Enterprises. The latter organization specializes in establishing major franchises, such as Starbucks and Burger King, in ethnically diverse inner city neighborhoods, according to the Foundation's Web site.
The Foundation side of the organization has donated an amount exceeding $1.1 million to community organizations in America's inner cities that provide HIV/AIDS education and instructions on prevention, according to the press release.
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Apostle Shada Mishe
posted 9/24/08 @ 12:15 PM CST
THE CURE for HIV/AIDS.......AMBUSH
THE IDEA that AMBUSH cures AIDS
is being proven by the more than 400 individuals who have taken a dose of 60 ml three times daily for 21 days. (Continued…)
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