Thursday was all about NBA ballers shooting to help their communities.
First up was legend Magic Johnson, who acted as the keynote speaker in support of the Minority Business Development Agency. Speaking to a crowd at the Omni Shoreham Hotel on Thursday morning, he brought his magic to the room, sharing with minority business owners the best ways to equip themselves in developing a successful enterprise.
Drawing off lessons he’s learned as chief executive officer of Magic Johnson Enterprises, the former Laker taught attendees how to develop a mission and use their talents, and also how to better listen and serve customers.
Magic then went to a White House reception in the Old Executive Building and met with Vice President Joe Biden.
Later in the day, it was native Washingtonian, former Wizard and current San Antonio Spurs standout Roger Mason Jr.’s turn to advise our younger, and possible future, entrepreneurs.
Fifty students from El Haynes Public Charter School were treated like movie stars upon arriving to “Movie Night with Mase,” the kickoff event for the Adopt a Classroom program that uses new and social media to connect to students in revolutionary ways.
Arriving to a red carpet at the Motion Picture Association of America, “paparazzi” took pictures of the dressed-up students in front of a step-and-repeat. They were treated to a dinner with the NBA star and got to leave with a swag bag full of school supplies — more useful items for the fourth-through-seventh-graders than hair care products and gift cards per the usual celebrity gift bags.
“I didn’t want a situation where I only did something one time with these kids. I wanted to feel like I was a part of their lives the whole time,” Mason said about his dedication to continual mentoring of the students through such media forms as Twitter and Skype.
Roger Mason Jr. signs some autographs for
some El Haynes students at his event on Thursday
