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