NOTICE: The Muhammad Ali Center will be closed for New Year's Eve on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, and New Year's Day on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Click here for additional information on our operating hours.

Champions League Youth Programs

Muhammad Ali Center offers the Champions League Youth Leadership Academy for ages 14-24.

Two kids in boxing ring learning with mentor

Preserving Ali's Legacy

The Muhammad Ali Center has cultivated the next generation of social justice leaders for over a decade through FREE comprehensive leadership development programs for students.

The Champions League Youth Leadership Academy consists of three levels, offering a broad spectrum of engagement opportunities for ages 14-24. Featherweight, Welterweight & Heavyweight.

Group of young adults posing in front of St. Louis Arch

Heavyweight Champions

Through participation in our MACCS or ACEs programs, young adults will learn how to harness their passion for justice into real change.

Exuberant. Brilliant. Bold. The Greatest of All Time.

Heavyweight programs are FREE, but students are required to apply.

Heavyweight Requirements
  • Students are required to apply for Heavyweight programs
  • Applicants must demonstrate:
  • A passion for social justice and a desire to make a difference in the world.
  • The potential to develop leadership skills
  • A record of excellent attendance, good academic grades, and exemplary conduct.
  • Additionally, applicants must be:
  • Available to meet two evenings per month at the Ali Center in Downtown Louisville
  • Able to participate in projects throughout the year

MACCS + ACEs

Muhammad Ali Center Council of Students – (MACCS)

The Muhammad Ali Center Council of Students (MACCS) is a diverse group of high school students, committed to improving themselves and their communities through the practice of Muhammad Ali’s six core principles: Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect, and Spirituality.

As a youth-led organization, these dynamic students meet twice monthly to learn about social justice and methods of nonviolent social change.

Additionally, they make decisions that guide the course of their service work and leadership development.

This program is FREE, but students are required to apply.

Current partnerships:

Ali Center Entrepreneurs (ACEs)

ACEs is a ground-breaking program that offers high school students a unique opportunity to not only learn about social entrepreneurship, but to work in teams to develop an actual social enterprise.  

During the school year, students meet twice monthly to explore social justice issues in their communities and develop ways to combat those issues through creative business endeavors. 

By the end of the program, students will have conceptualized, produced, marketed, and launched a small social enterprise business.

This program is FREE, but students are required to apply.

Teenager looking at Muhammad Ali Center exhibit

Welterweight + Flyweight Champions

The Muhammad Ali Center offers beginner/intermediate programs for young adults looking to become the next generation of social justice leaders.

Becoming a positive change.

All youth programs are free, but require reservations.

  • Flyweight 
    • Movement Makers: Second Saturday Series
    • Youth Nights at the MAC
      • The Muhammad Ali Center is proud to offer a safe space for young people to gather in celebration.  Our Youth Nights are special evenings at the MAC for young people, ages 14-24, featuring food, music games, amazing performances by local artists and the opportunity to connect with local youth vendors and youth run organizations.  Additionally, all attendees have exclusive after-hours access to Muhammad Ali Center exhibits!
      • This event is FREE and open to all youth ages 14-24. Email us here for more information.
  • Welterweight
    • Re-Imagining Series
      • Each installment of this innovative program centers the voices and experiences of individuals in our community most directly affected by systems of oppression. Often, we are called to listen to “experts” who provide an analysis of social justice issues from an academic perspective. This series creates an intentional space for those in places of power to hear directly from those whom their power impacts the most.
      • This program is FREE, but reservations are encouraged. For more information, email us here.
    • Legacy Youth Summit
      • Each year, our students come together to plan an annual conference with a goal of enhancing the way young people in our community think, act, and live. Students will have the opportunity to connect with other teens, develop their leadership skills, and have their voices heard in a series of interactive workshops, keynote speakers, and breakout sessions. This conference is set-up to help high school students network, learn about different social issues in our world as well as getting charged up to take action and effect change. While also being a great opportunity for your High School students to come into the center and learn firsthand about our programming.
      • This event is FREE and open to all high school students, but reservations are encouraged. For more information, email us here.

 

For additional info on these programs, email us here.

University Programs

The Muhammad Ali Center also offers programs for incoming or current college students.

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