The Magic Johnson Foundation Presents The 14th Annual A Midsummer Night's Magic'

Benefiting the Taylor Michaels Scholarship Fund & the Tom Joyner Foundation


LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- In support of its focus on
education and youth, the Magic Johnson Foundation will host the 14th annual "A
Midsummer Night's Magic" fundraising weekend at the end of next month.  Money
raised from the Midsummer events will directly benefit the Magic Johnson
Foundation's Taylor Michaels Scholarship, and the Tom Joyner Foundation.

Highlighting the benefit weekend is the popular all-star basketball game
on Sunday, August 1 at the Great Western Forum.  Athletes confirmed to play in
the game include Magic Johnson, Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, Gary Payton,
Elton Brand, Jason Williams, Jason Kidd, Jalen Rose, Ray Allen,
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Paul Pierce, Tracy Murray and Tracy McGrady among others.

Another highlight of the weekend includes a Whitney Houston benefit
concert on Friday, July 30 at the Universal Amphitheatre.  A portion of the
proceeds from this one performance will benefit "A Midsummer Night's Magic."
Additional talent scheduled to perform at other events during the Midsummer's
weekend include Eric Benet from the BET Mobile Soundstage at the Mardi Gras
Gala on Saturday, July 31.

The Tom Joyner Foundation was established for the purpose of assisting
college students in completing their college educations at Historically Black
Colleges and Universities (HBCU).  Scholarships are awarded to deserving
students on a monthly basis as determined by financial need, academic records
and the circumstances involving the student's application and are available to
students currently attending any HBCU.

The Magic Johnson Foundation's Taylor Michaels Scholarship provides
financial support to deserving Los Angeles high school students.  The
scholarship includes several components including a mentoring program and
internship program.  Recommended by school counselors, students accepted for
the program exemplify a strong potential for academic achievement but face
socio-economic conditions that hinder them from reaching their full potential.

Other Midsummer events include the AT&T Corporate Reception and Dinner
honoring Ron Burkle, a live taping of the nationally-syndicated Tom Joyner
Morning Show, a Courvoisier gala, a Mardi Gras gala as well as a children's
Mardi Gras carnival. 

For more information about A Midsummer Night's Magic call the Magic
Johnson Foundation event hotline at 888-MAGIC-05 or visit the Foundation at
www.magicjohnson.org.

A Midsummer Night's Magic is made possible by title sponsor Coors Brewing
Company.  Major sponsors include AT&T, American Airlines, MediaOne, FUBU, Los
Angeles Times and Couvoisier.  Other sponsors include National Car Rental, Pic
'n Save, Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Sony Studios, and Universal Amphitheatre.

The Magic Johnson Foundation (MJF) is a non-profit organization that
provides support to community-based organizations that serve the health,
educational and social needs of inner-city youth and organizations.  In
addition, the Foundation is committed to raising awareness about several
health and social concerns that threaten under served communities.

SOURCE  Magic Johnson Foundation

NEWSFILE: 22 JUNE 2000