Magic Johnson huddles with Obama on HIV/AIDS at White House

NBA legend Magic Johnson met Thursday night with President Barack Obama and senior adviser Valerie Jarrett to discuss HIV/AIDS, the hall of fame point guard tweeted Friday night.

On the way to the airport, I just left a meeting with Pres. @barackobama& Senior Advisor to the POTUS @vj44!

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 8, 2013

I told Pres. @barackobama that whatever he needs me to do to help our country, I am willing to do!

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 8, 2013

Every time I meet with Pres. @barackobamaI always come away saying "That is the smartest man I've ever met in my life!" #POTUS

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 8, 2013

In 1991, Johnson's announcement that he had contracted the disease sent shockwaves through the sports world. Since then, Johnson has been a vocal proponent for additional federal funding for AIDS research and treatment.

Thursday was National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a national testing and treatment mobilization effort that targets the nation's Black communities. Spread of the disease is particularly prevalent among blacks; the Center for Disease Control reports that despite representing just 14 percent of the population, 44 percent of new HIV infections were of black Americans.

Johnson, who is now a co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and an NBA analyst for ESPN, was a vocal supporter of President Obama's reelection last year, taping a video for the president's campaign website.

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