Ali Center 20th Anniversary begins with 2025 Humanitarian Awards
10.02.25
Ali Center kicks off 20th anniversary with 2025 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards
The Ali Center’s largest annual fundraiser takes place on November 8 with elevated performances, new post-show experience
LOUISVILLE, KY (October 2, 2025) — The Muhammad Ali Center kicks off its 20th anniversary celebration with the 12th annual Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards, presented by Humana, taking place on Saturday, November 8. This year’s ceremony honors an esteemed panel of humanitarians from across the globe.
To celebrate the Ali Center’s 20-year anniversary, this year’s Humanitarian Awards ceremony will feature special performances throughout the evening from the Louisville Orchestra, led by music director Teddy Abrams.
“We’re gearing up for an exciting Humanitarian Awards celebration that not only highlights the amazing work of humanitarians from all over the globe, but also celebrates the Ali Center’s legacy as we approach our 20-year anniversary,” said DeVone Holt, Muhammad Ali Center President and CEO. “We’re so excited for our future and we’re so pleased to elevate this experience as a taste of what’s to come.”
The Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards, the Center’s largest annual fundraiser, incorporates two categories: Seasoned Awards, honoring individuals who have dedicated a significant portion of their lives to humanitarianism, and Six Core Principles Awards, presented to young adults 30 years of age or younger who are promoting positive change in their communities and beyond.
“We are proud to partner with the Muhammad Ali Center to recognize these passionate changemakers from across the world,” said Jim Rechtin, Humana Chief Executive Officer. “Humana exists to help people achieve their best health, and that purpose cannot be realized without investing in the people and organizations that create positive change in the communities where we live and work.”
The Seasoned Awardees are:
Darren Walker – Humanitarian Award for Lifetime Achievement
Darren Walker is president of the Ford Foundation, a $16 billion international social justice philanthropy with offices in the United States and 10 regions around the globe. He chaired the philanthropy committee that brought a resolution to the city of Detroit’s historic bankruptcy. Under his leadership, the Ford Foundation became the first non-profit in US history to issue a $1 billion social bond in the US to stabilize non-profit organizations in the wake of the COVID pandemic.
Before joining Ford, Walker was vice president at the Rockefeller Foundation, overseeing global and domestic programs including the Rebuild New Orleans initiative after Hurricane Katrina. In the 1990s, as COO of the Abyssinian Development Corporation—Harlem’s largest community development organization—he led a comprehensive revitalization strategy, including building over 1,000 units of affordable housing and the first major commercial development in Harlem since the 1960s. Earlier, he had a decade-long career in international law and finance at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and UBS.
Walker co-chaired New York City’s Mayoral Advisory Commission on City Art, Monuments, and Markers and he cofounded both the US Impact Investing Alliance and the Presidents’ Council on Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy. He supported his friend Agnes Gund in creating the pioneering Art for Justice Fund and serves on many boards, including Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the National Gallery of Art (president), the Obama Foundation and the Clooney Foundation for Justice.
He has been included on numerous leadership lists, including TIME’s annual 100 Most Influential People, Rolling Stone’s 25 People Shaping the Future, Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, Ebony’s Power 100, and Out magazine’s Power 50. In 2020 Darren was named Wall Street Journal’s 2020 Philanthropy Innovator of the Year and 2023 Foundation Leader of the Year by Inside Philanthropy.
Nancy Lieberman – Humanitarian of the Year
Nancy Lieberman is a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, BIG3 Head Coach, 2018 Champion and Coach of the Year. two-time Olympian, silver-medalist (1976).
Her coaching career has included the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League and the BIG3 and at each step along the way she has broken barriers, elevated the profile of women in the game, and helped develop the current and next generation of basketball players. Under her leadership, the Team Power won the BIG3 Championship in 2018, making her the first female coach to win a title in a men’s pro league.
She helped the United States win medals at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal (silver medal), the 1979 World Championships in Seoul (gold medal), 1975 and 1979 Pan American Games in Mexico (gold medal) and Puerto Rico (silver medal), and the gold medal in the 1979 Jones Cup in Taipei.
Her on-court accomplishments have allowed her to make an impact in the community with Nancy Lieberman Charities. Her Charity has allowed her to change the lives of children in urban neighborhoods through Educational College Scholarships, Mentorship, Basketball Camps and Clinics, and Racial and Social Justice Lecture programs. Those programs include building 132 “Dream Courts” that have provided over five million children in communities the opportunity to have a safe place to enjoy healthy activities, build relationships with local law enforcement and take part in community engagement.
For her work in the community, she was honored as a recipient of the 2023 National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award for using her success in sports as a vehicle to advance civil rights, human rights, and philanthropic work, and the Leigh Steinberg Humanitarian Award, presented during the 2023 NFL Superbowl weekend which recognizes those in the NFL community that devote and dedicate their time to address community issues and the welfare of humanity.
Anquan and Dionne Boldin – Humanitarian Impact Award, co-presented by the Laureus Foundation
Anquan and Dionne Boldin have built a legacy defined by their shared commitment to service, social justice, and community empowerment. By combining their leadership, influence, and compassion, they continue to drive meaningful change. Together, they co-founded the Anquan Boldin Foundation (Q81) and Sport for Impact, nonprofit organizations that leverage sport as a catalyst for good and champion education, equity, and social justice.
Anquan Boldin, a 14-year NFL veteran, Super Bowl XLVII Champion, and 2015 Walter Payton Man of the Year, is celebrated not only as one of the league’s most productive wide receivers but also as a tireless advocate for systemic reform. His decorated football career—spanning the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions—was matched by his consistent commitment to community service. In 2004, he and Dionne established the Anquan Boldin Foundation to expand educational and life opportunities for underprivileged youth. Their commitment deepened in 2014 with a $1 million scholarship endowment, providing four-year scholarships to academically deserving students, with financial need who embody resilience and dedication to service. To date the Foundation has awarded more than 40 scholarships. Dionne Boldin has been the driving force behind the Foundation’s growth, ensuring impact in every city the family called home during Anquan’s career.
Through programs such as Q81 Summer Enrichment and holiday drives that have served thousands of families, Dionne has empowered more than 15,000 children and families nationwide. She has also launched the Turn Around Project, providing single mothers and families with career counseling, financial education, and school support, as well as Boldin Beautiful, a lifestyle platform designed to inspire women with confidence and purpose. The Boldins’ philanthropic reach also extends globally, from addressing food insecurity in Ethiopia to supporting families in Haiti and Senegal.
In 2016, the Boldins deepened their advocacy for social justice and racial equality when Anquan co-founded the Players Coalition, a nonprofit focused on criminal justice reform, police-community relations, education, and economic advancement. What began with six NFL players has grown into a movement of more than 1,500 athletes across 12 professional leagues and 30 colleges. Their collective voice has secured over 30 legislative and policy wins, published 135 op-eds and letters, and driven more than $50.5 million in cumulative grants and contributions to advance social justice causes. This extraordinary impact reflects the Boldins’ conviction that athletes can be leaders well beyond the game.
Together, they later co-founded Sport for Impact in 2023, an athlete-centered foundation dedicated to amplifying athlete influence as a force for social good. Since its creation, Sport for Impact has built a growing Athlete Impact Network and helped launch and strengthen more than a dozen athlete-led foundations, equipping players with mentorship, education, and resources to maximize their impact. By aligning athletes with strategic partnerships and nonprofit infrastructure, Sport for Impact enables them to build enduring legacies of service while addressing critical issues in education, youth empowerment, justice, health, and community safety. In partnership with organizations like Stand Together and many others, athletes are not only amplifying their voices but also building their legacy and strengthening their communities.
The Boldins’ shared legacy is not only one of service, empowerment, and systemic impact, but also one of vision and sustainability. Together, they have demonstrated how sport, influence, and compassion can be harnessed to challenge inequities and create long-term opportunities for communities at home and abroad. Anquan and Dionne Boldin continue to be at the forefront leading the standard for how athletes and their families can use their platforms to drive lasting social change.
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa – Humanitarian Award for Civility and Compassion
Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, is a prominent Islamic scholar and global advocate for interfaith dialogue. He earned his PhD in Comparative Judicial Studies and Constitutional Law from Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University. Al-Issa served as Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Justice from 2009 to 2015, during which he implemented significant reforms in family law and women’s rights. In August 2016, he was appointed Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL), where he has been instrumental in promoting a moderate interpretation of Islam and fostering global religious cooperation.
Under Dr. Al-Issa’s leadership, the MWL has launched several initiatives to combat extremism and encourage interfaith harmony, promoting unity and coexistence. Notably, he led a delegation of Muslim scholars to Auschwitz in 2020, marking a historic moment in Muslim-Jewish relations. He also played a pivotal role in the 2019 Makkah Declaration, which brought together over 1,200 Muslim leaders from 139 countries to endorse principles of peace, coexistence, and religious tolerance. His efforts have earned him recognition from global religious leaders, who have praised his commitment to building bridges between faiths.
Joining those Seasoned Awardees are six young international humanitarians doing work embodying one of Muhammad Ali’s Six Core Principles: Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect, and Spirituality.
Zuriel Oduwole (23), a Los Angeles native, is best known for her development work across the globe mediating peace between nations, providing counsel to the world business and political leaders, advocating for girl’s education, and teaching free filmmaking classes to out-of-school young women.
Dr. Joel Bervell, MD (30), is a Peabody Award–winning Ghanaian-American physician, host of The Dose podcast with the Commonwealth Fund, and creator of the YouTube animated series The Doctor Is In. Widely known as the “Medical Mythbuster,” he uses viral social media storytelling to expose racial disparities, uncover the hidden history of medicine, and challenge biases in healthcare.
Raby Gueye (30) is the founder and Executive Director of Teach For Senegal, a nonprofit working to expand educational opportunity by placing young Senegalese leaders in classrooms across underserved communities. Born in Podor, Senegal, Raby moved to the United States at age 8 as a refugee. Her personal journey has shaped a lifelong commitment to equity and justice in education.
Gibson Kawago (30) is a pioneering clean tech entrepreneur advancing Africa’s transition to sustainable energy and e-mobility. He is the founder of WAGA Technologies and WAGA Motion, two award-winning ventures delivering clean energy storage and electric vehicle infrastructure across East Africa.
Trisha Prabhu (25) is the inventor of ReThink, an innovative technology that aims to proactively stop cyberbullying. The ReThink movement and Trisha’s anti-hate advocacy have been shared with digital citizens around the world. Today, Trisha now leads ReThink’s non-profit spinout, ReThink Citizens, which is equipping young people with the tools, know-how, and platforms they need to create the digital world they deserve.
Charitie Ropati (24) is an education and climate justice advocate, scientist and water engineer. She has worked on building pipe infrastructure and water infrastructure for rural Alaska Native communities. She is originally from the Native Village of Kongiganak Alaska, a small coastal community in the Southwest region of Alaska and Anchorage, Alaska.
This year’s celebration will also include a new post-show celebration featuring late-night bites, special performances, and more. Tickets will be available to the public starting on Thursday, October 2. Early-bird pricing begins at $100 per person for the post-show celebration through Thursday, October 16. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://alicenter.org/maha/.
The Louisville community will also be introduced to the 2025 Core Principle honorees during a public event on Friday, November 7. More information on that event will be made available on the Muhammad Ali Center website, alicenter.org, in the upcoming weeks.
The Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards are made possible through the generous support of all the corporate and individual donors who support this event.
About the Muhammad Ali Center
The Muhammad Ali Center is a 501(c)(3) that prides itself on being much more than a museum. As an athlete, a humanitarian, a global voice and man guided by faith, Muhammad Ali embodied a pursuit and belief in the greatness found in all people. Founded in 2005 by Lonnie and Muhammad Ali in his hometown of Louisville, the Center is dedicated to honoring Ali and continuing work based on his core principles.
About the Louisville Orchestra
The Louisville Orchestra is one of the city’s most dynamic cultural assets, recognized nationally for its bold programming, statewide outreach, and strong commitment to community. Led by Music Director Teddy Abrams, the Orchestra performs a wide range of concerts each season, from masterworks and world premieres to pops and neighborhood performances. Beyond the stage, the LO drives economic activity through major events, regional tours, and partnerships across Kentucky. With innovative programs like the In Harmony statewide tour and the Creators Corps composer residency, the Orchestra positions Louisville as a hub for artistic creativity and civic engagement.
Notes to Media:
Credential requests are now open!
Please submit your information here:Â https://alicenter.org/awards/media-credential-form/ by Thursday, October 30.
Photos of Awardees here:
Media Contact: Â
Dustin Vogt
Muhammad Ali Center
dvogt@alicenter.org
502.992.5330