“AN EVENING TO CELEBRATE GREATNESS”
NOVEMBER 5, 2022
Cocktails 6pm
Dinner 7pm
Muhammad Ali Center
144 North Sixth Street
Attire: Cocktail
EVENT SOLD OUT
For information and sponsorship opportunities for 2023 event, please contact
Theresa Burridge at tburridge@alicenter.org or sign up for the Ali Center’s E-Newsletter.
To get information on media credentialing, please visit https://alicenter.org/awards/media-credential-form/
The Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards were created in 2013 as a way to publicly recognize and celebrate the greatness of people from around the world. It has been a difficult year with a global pandemic, civil and social unrest, and an increased polarization of America. But the awards remind us and bring awareness to the fact that many individuals around the world are following in Muhammad Ali’s footsteps by showing courage, selflessness, kindness, and compassion. When many might feel helpless and overwhelmed by social issues and inequities, our award recipients see “problems” as opportunities of empowerment on to achieve positive impact for their fellow humans.
This annual fundraising gala honors people who are making significant contributions toward securing peace, social justice, human rights, and/or social capital in their communities and on a global basis.
Each year, the Ali Center pays tribute to a number of high profile “seasoned humanitarians” who are named as Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awardees.
In addition, we honor six young adults, age 30 and under, who are serving as advocates, activists, and role models in ways that are ultimately transforming communities and bringing about positive change in the world. Each of these six winners are recognized for one of Muhammad Ali’s Six Core Principles: Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect, and Spirituality.
Proceeds raised during the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards support educational initiatives, community programming, and on-site exhibitions.
For information about any of the past Awardees—including the “Six Core Principle” recipients, all 30 years or under—visit our Past Awards Information page.
Past Seasoned Awardees of the
Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards
2021 Awardees
Ina Bond, Chair Emeritus of the Board, Muhammad Ali Center, 2021 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Lifetime Achievement
Edward Lee, Co-Founder & Creative Director, The LEE Initiative, 2021 Muhammad Ali Kentucky Humanitarian Award
Lindsey Ofcacek, Co-Founder & Managing Director, The LEE Initiative, 2021 Muhammad Ali Kentucky Humanitarian Award
Ann Curry, Award-Winning Journalist, 2021 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Global Citizenship
Dr. Richard Lapchick, Human Rights Activist, 2021 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year
2019 Awardees
Amy Hehre, CEO & Founder of OVI Children's Hospital, 2019 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Global Citizenship
Dr. Mark Lynn, Owner/Operator of Visionworks & President of Dr. Mark Lynn & Associates, 2019 Muhammad Ali Kentucky Humanitarian Award
Mark Tewksbury, Olympic Gold Medalist & Social Justice Advocate, 2019 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Gender Equality
Michael J. Fox, Actor & Parkinson's Advocate, 2019 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Courage
Michael Lang, Producer and Co-Creator of 1969 Woodstock Festival, 2019 Muhammad Ali Lifetime Achievement Award
2018 Awardees
Amy Carlson, Actress, 2018 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Gender Equality
Dave Eggers, Author, 2018 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Education
Sister Larraine Anne Lauter, OSU, Executive Lead & Co-Founder of Water With Blessings, 2018 Muhammad Ali Kentucky Humanitarian Award
Dr. Pearse Lyons, Founder of Alltech, 2018 Muhammad Ali Lifetime Achievement Award
2017 Awardees
Ashley Judd, Actress, 2017 Muhammad Ali Kentucky Humanitarian Award
Heather Heyer, Activist, 2017 Muhammad Ali Social Justice Award
Hill Harper, Actor, 2017 Muhammad Ali Education Award
HRH Princess Dr. Nisreen El-Hashemite, Princess and Doctor, 2017 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award
Paige Elenson, Businesswoman and Spiritual Activist, 2017 Muhammad Ali Global Citizenship Award
Patricia Arquette, Actress/Writer/Activist, 2017 Muhammad Ali Lifetime Achievement Award
2016 Awardees
Cindy Hensley McCain, Businesswoman and Philanthropist, 2016 Muhammad Ali Lifetime Achievement Award
Jon Secada, Grammy Award-Winning Singer/Songwriter, 2016 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award
Louis Gossett, Jr., Actor, 2016 Muhammad Ali Education Award
Sheryl Lee Ralph, Actress, 2016 Muhammad Ali Global Citizenship Award
John Rosenberg, Founding Director of the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky, 2016 Muhammad Ali Kentucky Humanitarian Award
2015 Awardees
Dr. Andrew Moore, II, Founder of Surgery on Sunday, 2015 Muhammad Ali Kentucky Humanitarian Award
Geena Davis, Academy Award Winning Actress, 2015 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year
Harry Belafonte, American Singer/Songwriter/Activist/Actor, 2015 Muhammad Ali Lifetime Achievement Award
Rose Mapendo, Founder of Rose Mapendo Foundation, 2015 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Gender Equality
2014 Awardees
Common, Rapper, 2014 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Education
Jim Brown, Former Running Back for the NFL's Cleveland Browns, 2014 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement Award
Mick Ebeling, Founder and CEO of Not Impossible, LLC, 2014 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award
Susan Sarandon, Actress, 2014 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Global Citizenship Award
Robert & Deborah Blair, Founders of West End School, 2014 Muhammad Ali Kentucky Humanitarian Award
2013 Awardees
Christina Aguilera, American Singer/Songwriter, 2013 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Humanitarian of the Year Award
President Jimmy Carter, Former President of the United States, 2013 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement Award
Michael Bolton, American Singer/Songwriter, 2013 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian for Gender Equality Award
Mark Hogg, founder of the nonprofit orgnization WaterStep, 2013 Muhammad Ali Kentucky Humanitarian Award
Other Guests
Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes
Coach John Calipari
Past VIP Presenters and Hosts of the
Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards
2021 Presenters
Lonnie Ali, Wife of Muhammad Ali, Co-Founder and Lifetime Director, MAC
Darnell Ferguson, Celebrity Chef and Restauranteur
Michael Waters, Pastor, Professor, Author, Activist, and Social Commentator
Roger Floyd, Chief Impact Officer, George Floyd Memorial Center
Thomas McLaurin, Chief Executive Officer, George Floyd Memorial Center
Anwar Khan, President of Islamic Relief USA
Racheda Ali, Author, Speaker, Actress, Daughter of Muhammad Ali
2019 Presenters
Anwar Khan, President of Islamic Relief USA, Presenter
Captain Brenda Berkman, Retired Captain of the New York City Fire Department, Presenter
Gwen Mooney, President and CEO of Cave Hill Cemetery, Presenter
Cordelia Cranshaw, Miss District of Columbia, Presenter
Lonnie Ali, Wife of Muhammad Ali, Presenter
Negin Farsad, Comedian, Host
2018 Presenters
Akbar Gbajabiamila, Host of American Ninja Warrior, Host
Heather French Henry, 2000 Miss America, Presenter
Juan Williams, American Author, Presenter
Lonnie Ali, Wife of Muhammad Ali, Presenter
Martin Luther King, III, Son of Martin Luther King, Jr., Presenter
Niloofar Rahmani, Pilot, Presenter
2017 Presenters
Geoff Thompson, Karate Champion, Presenter
Jamillah Ali-Joyce, Daughter of Muhammad Ali, Presenter
Kevin Martinez, ESPN, Presenter
Lonnie Ali, Wife of Muhammad Ali, Presenter
Mark Hogg, Founder of WaterStep and Former Awardee, Presenter
Michael Buffer, Ring Announcer, Host
Ruth Riley, Retired American Professional Basketball Player, Presenter
2016 Presenters
Amber S. Gell, Rocket Scientist from NASA, Presenter
Craig Melvin, Anchor, Host
Dwight Howard, Professional Basketball Player, Presenter
Eli A. Wolff, Co-Founder of the Sport and Development Project at Brown University, Presenter
Mayor Greg Fischer, Mayor of Louisville, Presenter
Kimberly Brooks, Fusion Network, Presenter
Lonnie Ali, Wife of Muhammad Ali, Presenter
Rasheda Ali, Daughter of Muhammad Ali, Presenter
Teddy Abrams, Musician, Presenter
2015 Presenters
Aaron Stevens, Professional Wrestler with WWE, Presenter
Dhani Jones, NFL Linebacker, Presenter
Donald E. Lassere, CEO of Muhammad Ali Center, Presenter
Mayor Greg Fischer, Mayor of Louisville, Presenter
Janet Evans, 4-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, Host
Jennifer Clinton, President of Global Ties U.S., Presenter
Lonnie Ali, Wife of Muhammad Ali, Presenter
Max Joseph, Filmmaker, Presenter
2014 Presenters
Adnan Kifayat, Senior Resident Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States
Donald Lassere, CEO of Muhammad Ali Center
Father George Kilcourse, Professor of Theology
Holly Robinson-Peete, Actress
Congressman John Yarmuth, Kentucky Representative
Lonnie Ali, Wife of Muhammad Ali
Pamela Brown, CNN Justice Correspondent
Dr. Pearse Lyons, Founder and President of Alltech
Robby Novak & Brad Montague, Kid President
William Mapother, Entertainment Industry
2013 Presenters
Donald Lassere, CEO of Muhammad Ali Center
Farrah Pandith
Mayor Greg Fischer, Mayor of Louisville
Congressman John Yarmuth, Kentucky Representative
Laila Ali, Daughter of Muhammad Ali
Lonnie Ali, Wife of Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Senator Rand Paul, Kentucky State Senator
Tori Murden McClure
Proceeds from the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards supports Ali Center programming and mission-based efforts.