2. Earvin “Magic” Johnson
After he announced that he was HIV positive, Earvin “Magic” Johnson decided that it was time to retire from the LA Lakers. From building shopping malls and Pepsi factories to founding AMC or Magic Johnson movie theatres, he’s definitely had a lot to show for venturing into the urban environment. His first major step? Having a conversation with Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz that finally convinced him to go 50-50 on additional locations in “undeserved” areas, but not without a few cultural changes (like altering the menu and music, of course). This was a great move on his part, because his 105 locations were doing so well that in 2012, Starbucks actually bought him out! When you pair that with him selling his 4.5% stake in the Lakers which, when combined with the Starbucks ordeal, landed him with an extra $100 million, he obtained status as a great businessman. Eventually, he decided to open up, own and manage his own company called Magic Johnson Enterprises, which focuses on delivering whatever the ever-fluctuating, multicultural needs of the moment are. But they tend to be either focused on entertainment, service or products of the technological sort. In addition, through his charity, the Magic Johnson Foundation, he has used his HIV positive diagnosis to bring about social awareness and help those in need.
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