Magic Johnson Helped Raise Money for Local Scholarship Program

Earvin Magic Johnson said he owes his success on the basketball court and in the world of business to his Lansing upbringing.

So the former NBA star and successful businessman called on a few friends and reached into his own pocket to help Lansing children go to college and achieve their dreams.

The 1977 Everett High School grad helped raise about $1 million in new donations for the Lansing Promise scholarship program, which provides tuition aid for students in the Lansing School District.

That figure includes about $200,000 from the dinner and $800,000 from Johnson and a handful of friends.   About 1,000 people attended the fundraising dinner.