Earleatha “Cookie” Johnson – Rising to the Challenge

When Cookie Johnson’s husband, NBA great Magic Johnson, revealed his HIV status in 1991, she turned her initial fears into a newfound mission. More than two decades later, she continues to inspire as an example of faith and perseverance.

October 1, 2019

Earleatha “Cookie” Johnson, B.S. ’81 Communication Arts & Sciences, isn’t the kind to crumble. Not on your life. During the many challenges she’s faced in her life, she’s drawn on her deep sense of faith and self-worth to emerge stronger, wiser, wittier and more determined to be a force for good.

An author, philanthropist, entrepreneur and advocate for women and children, she was born in Huntsville, Alabama, and grew up in Detroit. She relied on loans and grants to pay her way through MSU, graduating in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in clothing and textiles.

You may have seen her on “The View” or on the pages of such magazines as “The Oprah Magazine,” “Ebony” and “Woman’s Day.” If you’re a Spartan, you know her as Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s wife.

But make no mistake. She’s her own woman and has always been a steadying force in their relationship.

“Spartan” asked Johnson to talk about her life, her book and her values. Here’s what she had to say:

Spartan: Let’s start with a big-picture question. What do you believe is your purpose in the world?

C.J.: I really believe God has a purpose for all of us. Our goal is to find out what it is. I wasn’t sure until my husband announced he was HIV-positive. I didn’t want him to announce it. It was in the 1990s. If you mentioned HIV, people jumped straight to AIDS. They assumed you’re going to die and they wondered if they could catch it being near you. I tried to talk him out of it. But he looked me in the eye and he said, “You know what? I have to do this, because I need to go out and save as many lives as possible. People need to understand that this disease can reach anyone.” It hit me that my purpose is to be by his side to help him, keep him healthy and to help him achieve his purpose.

Spartan: You’ve played so much more than just a supporting role since then. Has that been difficult?

C.J.: I feel my purpose is to continue to tell my story to inspire others—especially women. Over time, I noticed more women were starting to get the disease. That’s when I started going out on speaking engagements and talking to women and women’s organizations about what Earvin and I have been through. It’s important for women to learn to protect themselves. I think it’s important to inspire and empower women to be strong enough to stand up for themselves, especially now with this #MeToo movement going on. You know, it all kind of works together. And it really makes me feel good that women are empowering themselves now in all ways.

Spartan: In 2016, you released your book “Believing in Magic: My Story of Love, Overcoming Adversity, and Keeping the Faith.” What led to your decision?

C.J.: When I launched my denim jeans line (CJ by Cookie Johnson) in 2009, I made a lot of personal appearances in department stores. A lot of ladies would say: “You and your husband have inspired us so much.” And it just kept happening over and over. My friends kept saying: “You need to write a book because people really admire your life and keep telling you how you’ve affected them. If you write this book , it will probably have a hopeful impact on others who’ve experienced traumas or who are trying to make decisions about their marriages.” So I took a chance. I was at a time in my life where the kids were older and I had more time on my hands. Earvin and I were celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary, the 25th anniversary of our foundation (Magic Johnson Foundation, Inc.) and 25 years since his medical diagnosis. I wanted to tell my story for other people to know they’re not the only ones going through these things and that they, too, can get through it.

Spartan: How have you managed to remain authentic and genuine amidst all of L.A.’s extravagance?

C.J.: I think you have to always stay true to yourself and your roots. Earvin and I are both Midwest people. We were pretty grounded because we didn’t come from all of the money, and the glam and the glitz.

Spartan: What is it like trying to raise children in Hollywood?

C.J.: We tried to keep the kids grounded when we were raising them. We kept a small, close group of friends that we spent time with, people that we trusted and people that were more like us. And we spent a lot of time with our families in Michigan. I think that’s super important to have a good village and a good foundation for your children. And we sent the kids to Michigan every summer to spend two weeks. They would spend one week with the Johnsons and then one week with my mom in Detroit. They’re young adults now. And while they have friends in famous circles, they still have a good foundation that keeps them humble and focused.

Spartan: You and your husband also come back to your hometowns on a regular basis. What is the draw?

C.J.: It’s a great feeling to be back home and to just hang out or go to barbecues with our families and friends. And we like to come back and give back to the community. It makes us feel so good because we see ourselves in the faces of the kids. They were us. And all it took was somebody to give a helping hand, or somebody to talk to, or give them advice or something. That’s all it took for us. So why don’t we pay it forward and do that for them? Hopefully it will help someone find their way later in life. A lot of times at Thanksgiving, we’ve done a food drive to help because it’s so hard that the factories are not hiring like they used to and there just aren’t a lot of jobs anymore. We see ourselves in the people.

Spartan: How difficult is it being recognized when you go out in public?

C.J.: We just embrace it. When people come up, we just say hello. If we have time to talk to them, we’ll talk. If not, it’s a nice “Hello, but I’m sorry we have to go.” Most people are very respectful when you do that. And it warms my heart to see that people still love Earvin so much even after all of these years of not playing basketball.

Spartan: What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

C.J.: God’s love is the best gift I could’ve ever received. Then you turn around and you give it back out.

I really believe God has a purpose for all of us. Our goal is to find out what it is.

Spartan: What are your passions?

C.J.: My initiatives are HIV (education and prevention) and helping with issues that affect women, children and health.

Spartan: Is there anything else or any suggestions you’d like to make to our readers?

C.J.: Yes. When trouble comes around or something disrupts your norm, don’t be so quick to throw it away. Try to figure it out. Try to work it out. Try to face it head on and figure out a way to work through it. Don’t let it scare you and knock you down, and if it does…pick yourself back up. There is a future for you. Just believe in yourself. Figure out how to maneuver through…one step at a time. I truly believe that if you have that type of tenacity to keep pushing through, you will get to the top of the hill. Don’t give up.

Spartan: If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

C.J.: I would like to see more unity and love in this world.

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