Magic Johnson made a promise 5 months ago and he came through. He was on the campus of Arizona State University in June where he committed to push the academic ambitions of three students. The same students confirmed that Earvin “Magic” Johnson is a man of his word. And he’s tremendously aided their education while also encouraging these young change makers. This happened when the 6x NBA champion was at ASU for the Building History: Continuing the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. event in June.

He engaged with the students and at the end, he invited Serenity Reynolds, a member of ASU’s Black African Coalition to the stage along with two other students. He surprised them and the attendees by awarding the three students a scholarship worth $25,000 each.

“Dr. King was a leader in knowing that he would never benefit from what he was saying,” Johnson prefaced the scholarship announcement. “He knew he was going to die. Now, it’s my job to make sure that I bless others who come behind me.”

Five months since then, an ASU publication confirmed that Reynolds, Nia Heckler and Tajilynn Karim have received the scholarship.

Reynolds balances her courseload as a student of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, clubs, internship, job and more. She was extremely grateful to Johnson for reducing the financial load. “I can focus on being academically well-rounded and having my education always be at the forefront of my mind,” Reynolds told the school mag.

Psychology major, Heckler, appreciates her service to the ASU community was acknowledged this way. Karim, a first generation college attendee studying financial planning, is happy to have the financial load eased and committed to channel her energy to the community.

Magic Johnson is committed to encouraging youngsters

For Magic Johnson, $75,000 is a barely a drop in a $1.2 billion net worth bucket. Apart from health advocacy and social justice, Johnson is passionate about education and academics. He’s done initiatives like the Earvin Johnson Sr. Scholarship at his alma mater, Michigan State University, pledged $1 million at Morgan State, and $3 million to Delaware State just this year alone.

During his appearance at ASU, he captured the students’ imagination before he gave out scholarships. It was an event and exhibit commemorating the 60th anniversary of MLK’s June 3, 1964, speech at Goodwin Stadium, the then-home of ASU’s football team.

“Different people of all walks of life, different races coming together and being a blessing to one another. That’s the only thing (King) wanted. Don’t see color. Just see the person. We’re proving that right now at ASU by coming together and doing things together. This is really powerful,” the Lakers icon said while talking about his childhood and NBA career.

Johnson claimed he wished Dr King lived to see the young people driving change gathered at ASU today. But he declared his commitment to support them however he can.