Magic Johnson is not only a legend of the Los Angeles Lakers who has done so much off the court for the Southern California community, but he is also a major influence in his hometown of Lansing, Michigan where he was born and raised and also starred at Michigan State University.
Johnson recently held The Legacy of Magic Gala, which celebrated all that he has done for the community in Lansing and it was there that it was announced that the Westside Branch of the YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing will be renamed to the Earvin “Magic” Johnson YMCA, something he considers a great honor, via Sarah Edgecomb of WZZM 13:
“To be acknowledged by an organization in my hometown of Lansing, Michigan, is an incredible honor that I do not take for granted,” Johnson said. “I hold the YMCA in high regard because growing up as a little boy, it was a safe space for me to pursue my love for basketball. This honor is not mine alone — it reflects the support, guidance and collaboration of this community and everyone who helped shape my work along the way. Even though my name is on the honor, it truly belongs to my mother, father and family as well. The YMCA allowed me to produce a legacy, and I am forever grateful that this transformational organization saw fit to honor me in the community that raised me.”
Johnson also took to social media afterwards to thank the many others who contributed to this:
I want to personally thank everyone who contributed to the Legacy of Magic Gala hosted by the YMCA of Lansing this past weekend in Lansing, honoring my family and our impact in the city. It’s a true honor to have the YMCA I grew up in now be named after me and to have a beautiful…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) August 25, 2026
The gala was attended by more than 800 people and raised more than $800,000 for scholarships and facility improvements. President and CEO of Lansing YMCA Casey Thompson also had a lot of praise for Johnson:
“We are grateful to the Johnson Family for choosing the YMCA as their legacy project,” said Casey Thompson, president and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing. “The Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson YMCA not only recognizes a remarkable person and family who have done remarkable things for our community, but it also embodies the power of community and the lasting impact of the YMCA as a place where families and neighbors have connected through health and wellness for nearly 150 years and counting.”
The rebranding of this YMCA will include a two-acre expansion featuring two new sport courts, two turf fields, a new pavilion and an acre of green space aimed at enhancing youth programs. There will also be a mural created to honor Johnson and his family.
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