Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores has enlisted Michigan native Earvin “Magic” Johnson to join his campaign for Flint, Michigan amid that city’s crisis with lead-tainted water. An NBA Hall of Famer who led Michigan State to its first NCAA Championship and played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers for 13 seasons, Johnson will serve on a community advisory board as part of Gores’ relief effort to address Flint's short- and long-term needs.
Gores launched FlintNOW last month, pledging at least $10 million for infrastructure and program support. The alliance with Johnson will focus on education initiatives to benefit schools, children and families.
“Earvin is a long-time champion of children and education and we welcome his support,” said Gores, a Flint native who is chairman and CEO of Platinum Equity. “He will be a real asset to our efforts focusing on both immediate and long-term educational needs in Flint.”
Gores and Johnson both graduated from Michigan State University. Last year they collaborated on Lansing Promise, a $1 million scholarship program for students in Lansing, where Johnson grew up. Gores and Johnson say they’ll explore a similar project for kids in Flint.
“Tom and I share a deep commitment to helping communities by investing in education and providing better opportunities for children and families,” Johnson said. “FlintNOW’s strategy recognizes that fixing the water alone won’t solve the long-term problems in Flint. Tom and his team understand that we need to do a lot more, and for us that starts with education. We can make a real difference in supporting schools with everything from early education to scholarships.”
To date, the FlintNOW campaign has disbursed $1.5 million in direct donations. On Jan. 29 Gores gave a total of $1 million to the Flint Child Health & Development Fund, the United Way of Genesee County’s Flint Water Fund and the American Red Cross. A week later the Pistons announced another $500,000 in donations from the club’s 15 players and key executives.