Exterior of Muhammad Ali Center building looking up from a slanted angle
Exterior of Muhammad Ali Center building looking up from a slanted angle
Exterior of Muhammad Ali Center building looking up from a slanted angle
Exterior of Muhammad Ali Center building looking up from a slanted angle
Exterior of Muhammad Ali Center building looking up from a slanted angle
Youth Leadership ProgramsYouth Leadership ProgramsYouth Leadership Programs

Youth Leadership

Muhammad Ali Center offers a variety of Youth Leadership Programming, including our Muhammad Ali Center Council of Students.

Youth Leadership Programs

Muhammad Ali Center offers a variety of Youth Leadership Programming, including our Muhammad Ali Center Council of Students.

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.

Our Youth Leadership programming offers a broad spectrum of engagement opportunities, including our signature Muhammad Ali Center Council of Students program.

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

Muhammad Ali Center Council of Students

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

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

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.

Requirements
  • Students are required to apply for the Muhammad Ali Center Council of Students program
  • 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

Deadline to apply is August 22, 2025.

Apply here
Photo of high school students on the steps of the Kentucky State Capitol smiling at camera

MACCS Experiences

As part of the Muhammad Ali Center Council of Students program, students will have the opportunity to go on group experiences outside of the Muhammad Ali Center; exploring social justice initiatives, building trust among their group, and learning from changemakers who are shaking up the world.

The fall excursion to Camp Piomingo in Brandenburg, KY is a weekend, overnight trip designed to build connection between students. Students are given the chance to step away from their daily routines and immerse themselves in team-building exercises, trust activities, and leadership challenges. Students also take part in a core workshop on nonviolent social change, rooted in the principles of Muhammad Ali. They will learn to explore the foundations of advocacy and how to take meaningful action in their communities. By the end of the retreat, students walk away with a stronger sense of connection to one another and a shared commitment to building a more just world together.
In February, the MACCS spend a day in Frankfort, Kentucky’s state capital. This experience gives students a look into how policy is created, debated, and passed. They will meet with local representatives to discuss current legislation and voice the issues that matter most to them. During a visit to Kentucky State Capitol, students have the opportunity to sit in on live sessions of the Kentucky House and Senate, where they observe the legislative process in real time. This trip helps encourage young people to use their voices to hold their leaders accountable and show them how they can be active participants in democracy in their state.
In the spring, the MACCS go on a multi-day Spring Break trip to a U.S. city –  past destinations include Chicago, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C, among others. This trip is a deep dive into the local and national movements for justice that have shaped our country. Students visit historical and contemporary social justice sites and connect with advocacy-based youth groups within the city to learn and exchange ideas and build networks throughout the country.
Apply here
Teenager looking at Muhammad Ali Center exhibit

Additional Programming

The Muhammad Ali Center continues to innovate with educational opportunities for the next generation of social justice leaders.

Becoming a positive change.

The Muhammad Ali Center has a history of offering additional programming for young social justice leaders, including our Legacy Youth Summit, Youth Nights at the MAC, and much more.

This page will update as new opportunities become available.

For additional info on our Youth Leadership programs, email us here.

Contact us
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University Programs

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

Learn more
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