Towalame Austin is President of the Magic Johnson Foundation, Inc. She is responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction to one of the leading philanthropic organizations in the nation. She manages the daily operations and continued growth of the Foundation by expanding its research base, solidifying new partnerships, securing corporate sponsorships and coordinating fundraising initiatives. Ms. Austin has played a critical role in establishing and maintaining partnerships with Abbott Laboratories, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Best Buy, Freddie Mac, Microsoft, Rémy Martin and Samsung. She works closely with the Foundation’s board of directors and staff to devise long-term strategies and adhere to the founding principles of the organization by implementing programs that serve the health, educational and social needs of those residing in underserved communities.
Ms. Austin utilizes her many years of experience with the Foundation to lead and expand its prestigious programs. She maintains the Foundation’s position in the fight against HIV/AIDS by overseeing the AHF Magic Johnson Healthcare Clinics that ensure patients have access to complete medical care. She launched a highly successful World AIDS Day campaign, I Stand with Magic, in 2006 that tested over 1,300 at-risk individuals for HIV/AIDS and secured nationwide media coverage. Ms. Austin spearheads the Foundation’s commitment to higher education through the Taylor Michaels Scholarship program, awarding over 250 scholarships to deserving college students. She also advances the Foundation’s goal of providing underserved communities with access to technology and information through The Magic Johnson Community Empowerment Centers. Ms. Austin supervises 18 facilities nationwide and recently opened the first rural Empowerment Center in South Carolina.
Prior to becoming President of the Foundation, Ms. Austin served as its Executive Vice President and Director of Corporate Relations and Special Events. She successfully managed the Foundation’s partnerships with corporations such as American Airlines, Coca Cola, and AT&T, which provided millions of dollars to support the Foundation’s programs and initiatives. She also produced fundraising events, such as A Midsummer Night’s Magic and A Salute to African American Designers. Additionally, Ms. Austin handled philanthropic and networking events, including Children’s Mardi Gras and Magic Corporate Mixers nationwide.
Ms. Austin has received numerous awards and recognition on behalf of the Foundation, including official keys to cities in California and South Carolina, a Certificate of Commendation from the County of Los Angeles for community service, the Public Education Foundation’s Lifetime Educational Achievement Award, and a proclamation from the City of Eastover, South Carolina for the development of its Community Empowerment Center. Ms. Austin sits on the Board of Directors for Imani Phi Christ Sorority, Inc. and is a member of The Association of Black Foundation Executives.
Apart from her work with the Foundation, Ms. Austin is a contributing factor in helping to build Cookie Johnson’s brand by lending her business expertise, which resulted in the launch of a new premium denim line, CJ by Cookie Johnson.
Ms. Austin holds a bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Marketing from Cal State University Dominguez Hills.
Ms. Austin has received numerous awards and recognition on behalf of the Foundation, including official keys to cities in California and South Carolina, a Certificate of Commendation from the County of Los Angeles for community service, the Public Education Foundation’s Lifetime Educational Achievement Award, and a proclamation from the City of Eastover, South Carolina for the development of its Community Empowerment Center. Apart from her work with the Foundation, Ms. Austin works closely with the Imani Phi Christ Sorority, Inc. to promote their mission of helping African American teenage women advance socially and academically.
Ms. Austin holds a bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Marketing from Cal State University Dominguez Hills
