MD: What enabled you to tap into God’s power?
CJ: I knew about God’s power before I needed it. People often wait until they’re in trouble to speak to God. And, although He is always there to help us, it’s better to have a relationship with God before problems appear. I knew God before we found out that Earvin had HIV. I knew that God was a protector. I knew that He was a healer. I knew that He would keep His promises. So I studied His Word on a deeper level, and relied on His power. Every day, I read and memorized healing Scriptures. I said over and over again, “By Christ’s stripes, we are healed.” I had faith that God would help me.

MD: Did you know that Magic had HIV before his press announcement on November 07, 1991?
CJ: Yes. He told me before the announcement was made.

MD: How did he tell you?
CJ: I was at home. I think Earvin was in Denver getting ready to play a game, and I was at home getting ready to watch the game. And a girlfriend of mine came over to watch the game, because her husband was also playing for the Lakers. When we sat down and turned on the TV, the phone rang. It was Earvin, and I asked him if something was wrong. He said, “I’m on my way home, and I’ll tell you when I get there.” We had just gotten back from Paris, because his team had gone there. So I thought he was just tired. He had been complaining about being tired, so I thought that’s what it was. When he arrived home, he didn’t beat around the bush. He sat down and said, “I just found out that I tested positive for HIV.”

MD: What did you say?
CJ: I said, “Oh my God. You’re going to die. What does this mean? Are you telling me that you’re going to die?” At the time, Earvin didn’t know much about the virus, and couldn’t answer my questions. He only knew that HIV caused AIDS.

MD: Were you angry?
CJ: No, because at that point, there was no time for that. To me, the most important issue was life or death. I could walk away, or I could stand by Earvin and help him choose life. That’s what was staring us in the face. It wasn’t about what had happened to get us to that point. It was about choosing life or choosing death. I chose to do whatever it took to keep my husband alive.

MD: Was leaving Magic ever an option?
CJ: No. Not for me.

MD: Were people supportive of your decision to stay with your husband?
CJ: Our family and close friends stood by us, and our Bishop prayed for us often. The most important people in our lives supported us. But there was backlash in other ways. For example, some of Earvin’s endorsements were taken away.

MD: Is it true that you believe Magic is healed of HIV?
CJ: Yes, I do.

MD: What would you say to people who think you’re crazy?
CJ: I’d tell them that they don’t know the God of the Bible, and they don’t understand faith. I would also tell them that God heals in many different ways. Earvin takes medicine, he’s still HIV positive, but he has undetectable levels of HIV. He has also been protected from the effects of the virus. Earvin has never been sick. I’ve been sick on more days than him.

MD: So how would you define healing?
CJ: That’s a tough question. I would define it as anything that God uses to deliver health. Sometimes we miss our healing because we define it in a narrow way. Yes, Earvin takes medicine, but he is healthy, thriving, and whole. That’s a type of healing. God can use medicine, skilled doctors, surgery, and other ways to deliver healing. Having faith doesn’t mean that we stop listening to our doctors, or stop taking medicine. It means that we rely on God to deliver His promises – in whatever way He decides.

MD: What advice would you give a woman who is dealing with a crisis?
CJ:I would tell her to run to God, because He has the ultimate power. He has the power to heal, and do anything that we need. I would also tell her to develop a genuine relationship with God. When we really know who God is, nothing can separate us from Him – not even tough times. Knowing His love, and understanding His power, is important. Trials and tribulations can destroy our faith, or make it stronger. So I would tell a woman in a tough situation, “Stop questioning God, and start trusting Him. He’ll rescue you.”

MD: Have you always had a strong relationship with God?
CJ: No. Over the years, it’s become stronger. Through trials and tribulations, I’ve learned how to seek God. The Bible teaches that if we draw near to God, He’ll draw near to us. I didn’t come from a family that was into church. But I always felt God’s hand on me. When I was about 4 or 5 years old, living in Huntsville, Alabama, my neighbor would always ask my mom if she could take me to church. She had two boys, and she wanted a little girl. So, every Sunday, I would go to church with her. My family later moved to Detroit, but my relationship with God came with me. There was a church across the street from our new home, and I asked my mom if I could go. At first, my mom didn’t come, but she would dress me up and send me to church. After a while, my mom got saved and started going to church with me. During college, I fell off for a little while, but I found my way back to the Lord.

MD: What do you believe you’re called to do?
CJ: It’s funny you ask, because Earvin’s diagnosis is a large part of our calling [as a couple]. After we found out that he had HIV, he told me that he needed to make a public announcement about the diagnosis. That’s when fear set in. I knew that our immediate family, close friends, and Bishop would be supportive – but I was afraid of how the public would react. I was concerned that no one would want to touch us, or be around us. So I asked Earvin not to make the announcement.

– I begged him. – I told him that we didn’t need to tell anyone outside of our immediate circle that he had HIV. We could handle the situation privately. But he looked me straight in the eye and said, “I have to tell people, because I have to save as many lives as possible.” That’s when I knew God was calling Earvin to be the face of HIV – the heterosexual face. From that day forward, I knew that my purpose was to support and strengthen Earvin – so he could carry out his purpose. But after a while, I realized that I was called to do more than hold Earvin up. I was called to hold women and young people up – educating them about HIV, and helping them find strength in God during life’s challenges. I don’t believe that God caused Earvin to have HIV, but I do believe that God uses any situation (good and bad) to reach people. In fact, our situation made us come together. It made our marriage stronger, because we had to have faith together and fight together. Today, I can say, “God strengthened me, and helped my family.” People need to know that God is real, He cares, and He has power.

MD: In what ways did Magic’s diagnosis limit you?
CJ: When Earvin was diagnosed, medicine was not as advanced [as it is today]. Back then, not enough was known about conceiving while having HIV. So we chose to adopt after having our first child. Now, there is medication available that allows women (who have been exposed to HIV or AIDS) to deliver a healthy baby. Doctors can also perform sperm-washing and other things. That was not an option for Earvin and me. Medicine has come a long way.

MD: Were you disappointed that you couldn’t have another biological child?
CJ: It was a little disappointing, but it wasn’t the end of the world. Earvin and I had always talked about adopting. We always planned to have some, and adopt some.

MD: Out of all your roles (except being a “child of God”) – wife, mother, entrepreneur, and philanthropist – what would you say is most fulfilling?
CJ: [Mrs. Johnson laughs] I can’t say, “child of God”? – Because that really is my most fulfilling role.

MD: No, not that one. I knew you would pick that one. Okay, then what’s your second most fulfilling role?
CJ: Other than being a “child of God,” I would say being a mother. Raising my children brings me joy. Mothers have the opportunity to take a brand-new life, and shape it. That is a gift, and people don’t take it serious enough. With a child, a mother can shape the next generation.

MD: What advice would you offer mothers?
CJ: I would advise them to keep God in their children’s lives. Even with my kids, it’s a challenge. But the best thing a parent can do is give their children a relationship with God.

MD: After you’ve lived your life, what would you like to hear God say to you?
CJ: I’m not sure what I would like Him to say, but I can’t wait for Him to hug me. I can’t wait to feel His love up close. I don’t need God to acknowledge what I did on earth. Compared to the love He’s given me, nothing I’ve accomplished matters. So many people don’t understand that there’s nothing we can do to earn God’s love. He gives it to us freely. So at the end of my life, when I finally meet God, I just want Him to hold me.