“I stand with magic” campaign
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| Magic Johnson and Dr. Monica Sweeney, asst. comm., Bureau of HIV, city of New York |
New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles joined the Magic Johnson Foundation and Abbott Laboratories to participate in the “I Stand with Magic” campaign, which launched a three-day HIV/AIDS testing program on World AIDS Day, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007.
The event’s objective was to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in the African American community. In addition to providing free testing throughout the host cities, community testing centers offered educational materials regarding AIDS and STD prevention to share with family and friends.
Cookie Johnson announced at a press conference in New York City that she was joining her husband as a program ambassador for the “I Stand with Magic” campaign. She will specifically focus on minority women during the cross-country tour. “I will encourage women in minority communities in America to get educated, tested and treated for HIV/AIDS throughout the year,” she vowed.
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| Yolanda Adams |
Bicoastal concerts also took place in both Los Angeles and New York City on World AIDS Day. At the world famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, Yolanda Adams, Angie Stone, Erykah Badu and New Edition took to the stage for the concert which was hosted by Magic Johnson. Meanwhile, over on the West Coast, Cookie Johnson was joined by Mary Mary and the Soul Seekers at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles for a soul-stirring event. Though the mood at both events was lighthearted, no one lost sight of the night’s main purpose — to fight the battle against HIV/AIDS. –ivory jones
