Headquarters and Location
The long anticipated construction of the 93,000 square feet Muhammad Ali Center began in August of 2004. The site location is conveniently located between the Ohio River and Main Street in Louisville’s historic downtown.
Anthem Foundation Donation
Anthem Foundation, Inc. awarded a $100,000 grant to the Muhammad Ali Center to assist in developing educational programming, with particular emphasis on diversity initiatives.
Cultural Buzz
Cultural Buzz offered education games and activities that were interactive and entertaining. By participating in the online site, Cultural Buzz, youths from around the world could learn to bridge human difference. They could explore other cultures and enhance skills that promote individual well-being and healthy interpersonal relationships.
2004
The Muhammad Ali Center partnered with the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts on “Brown Butterfly,” a stunning mixture of music, dance, and multimedia that paid tribute to Muhammad Ali. The Muhammad Ali Council of Students (M.A.C.C.S) wrote and performed a special pre-show presentation called “It’s In Your Hands,” and
Final Design
On June 30, 2003, representatives from the Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville Metro Government, and Morton’s, The Steakhouse announced the Muhammad Ali Center building and plaza design plans. For the first time, the “wrapping” of the building—a series of colored ceramic tiles suggesting a montage of images of Muhammad Ali when
Construction and New Team
The construction of the Muhammad Ali Center moved one step further in 2003, when the organization announced the composition of its management team that oversaw the Center’s building project. The unique team consisted of four construction management firms, including three minority-owned companies from Louisville: David Cosby and Associates, King Bridgeman
YUM! Brands Foundation Press Conference
The Muhammad Ali Center and Yum! Brands Foundation announced a half-million dollar, multi-year partnership.
Ground Breaking
On June 11, 2002, the City of Louisville and the Muhammad Ali Center broke ground for Phase I of the city’s new facility. Among those who participated in the ceremony were Lonnie and Muhammad Ali, Mayor Dave Armstrong, and Ina Bond, chairperson of the Muhammad Ali Center. This event was
“Promises”
In its first community-wide public event the Muhammad Ali Center and Baxter Avenue Theatres co-sponsored “Promises,” an Academy Award Nominee for Best Documentary Feature for 2002. Both of the showings were followed by panel discussions with Carlos Bolado, the film’s co-director, and others.
Muhammad Ali Center Council of Students
In 2002 the Muhammad Ali Council of Students (M.A.C.C.S.) was formed around a motto that Muhammad Ali has often used himself, “Service is the rent we pay for our stay here on earth.” Through this outstanding group of students, our goal is to identify new ways of relaying the Center’s