The day Magic Johnson announced his HIV diagnosis back in 1991, he vowed to keep living and giving back to his community. Fast forward 30 years, and he’s not just surviving—he’s thriving, both mentally and physically. As Lakers owner Jeanie Buss put it, Johnson is “something special.” And his latest philanthropic venture might just prove that Buss didn’t exaggerate while praising Johnson.

Johnson recently, Alchemy, a San Francisco-based company managed to raise an impressive $31 million in seed funding, with Magic joining forces alongside Andreessen Horowitz (“a16z”) Bio+ Health, Sandberg Bernthal Venture Partners, and others. It’s not just a business move; it’s a bold investment in healthcare that aligns with Magic’s personal mission to help underserved communities.

How? Alchemy plans to use the funds to grow rapidly, aiming to launch pharmacy programs in 20 states within the next year. They’re also set to roll out mobile clinic services and a digital platform that promises to make pharmacy operations smoother and improve patient communication.

“Investing in Alchemy is deeply personal, not only as a person living with HIV, but because I’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating impacts of HIV in our communities,” Johnson shared, emphasizing it’s a personal cause more than financial.

And we can assume it makes Jeanie Buss proud. As Reflecting on Magic’s journey, she shared, “When you think about what he accomplished as a basketball player, and what he accomplished in terms of philanthropy… it’s something special.” As per Buss, Magic’s legacy isn’t just about basketball—it’s about carrying the Lakers’ culture into the world, embodying leadership, and giving back even after the jersey comes off.

Magic Johnson broke the HIV barrier

When Magic Johnson revealed his HIV diagnosis, many believed it was a death sentence. But how was the Laker legend affected? Johnson was open about how he contracted the virus through unprotected heterosexual sex. Boldly, by using that moment, he stressed a crucial point: HIV doesn’t discriminate—it can affect anyone.

From the start, Johnson didn’t hide his illness. Instead, he committed to educating the public about HIV and fighting the stigma that surrounded it. “I think we sometimes think only gay people can get it; it’s not going to happen to me,” he said. And with his typical humor, he also added he wasn’t going anywhere, anytime soon, saying he planned to keep living and bugging reporters for a long time.

Johnson also credits his wife, Cookie, for keeping him grounded and healthy during those hard years. In a 2023 interview with People Magazine, he shared how Cookie made sure he stayed on top of his health. “So I’ve done my part, the medicine’s done its part, and then my wife stays on me to make sure I’m doing my part,” he explained.

Notably, by being so open, Magic didn’t just raise awareness—he led to a rise in HIV testing and, over the years, helped shift the public’s view of the virus from something fatal to something manageable.