Muhammad Ali Center Athletes and Social Change Forum
The Muhammad Ali Center Athletes and Social Change Forum is an annual program that convenes athletes, scholars, practitioners, policymakers and advocates who are all working to advance the realm of sport and social change through the practice of Muhammad Ali’s Six Core Principles: Respect, Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Spirituality and Giving. The Muhammad Ali Center Athletes and Social Change Forum is organized in collaboration with Eli Wolff of the Power of Sport Lab, Dr. Mary Hums of the University of Louisville, and Dr. Yannick Kluch of Virginia Commonwealth University.
2023 FORUM
ACTIVISM X INNOVATION X IMPACT: Amplifying Innovation for Institutional Change
July 13 and 14, 2023
The Muhammad Ali Center Athletes and Social Change Forum is an annual program that convenes athletes, scholars, practitioners, policymakers and advocates who are all working to advance the realm of sport and social change through the practice of Muhammad Ali’s Six Core Principles: Respect, Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Spirituality and Giving. The Muhammad Ali Center Athletes and Social Change Forum is organized in collaboration Dr. Mary Hums of the University of Louisville, and Dr. Yannick Kluch of Virginia Commonwealth University.
Athletes and Social Change was co-founded by our dear friend, Eli Wolff (1978-2023) of the Power of Sport Lab. We commit to honor his legacy through our advocacy and actions.
REGISTRATION link coming soon
Read the Open Letter to IOC & IPC Leadership here.
The theme of the 2021 Forum was "Collective Action and Amplifying the Political Power of Athletes and Sport." The 2021 Forum sought to give space and voice to collective action and the political power of athletes and sport. The Forum focused on:
1. Engaging sport to further equality and inclusion
2. Using sport to promote justice and fight injustice
3. Mobilizing and organizing the political power of athletes and sport
Watch the 2021 Forum through the links below:
Athletes Panel: 1:10-2:30 PM
Moderators:
Akilah Carter,-Francique, San Jose State University
Yannick Kluch, Virginia Commonwealth University
Panelists:
Alana Beard, WNBA Champion
Race Imboden, Team USA Olympian
Anna Johannes, Team USA Paralympian
Phaidra Knight, Hall of Fame Rugby Player & President, Women’s Sport Foundation
Toni Smith-Thompson, Former Athlete & Senior Organizer, New York Civil Liberties Union
Royce White, Minneapolis Organizer, Civil Rights Activist & Former Professional Basketball Player
Stakeholders Panel: 2:35-3:55 PM
Moderators:
Joseph Cooper, University of Massachusetts Boston
Jennifer McGarry, University of Connecticut
Panelists:
Sarah Axelson, Women’s Sports Foundation
Joanne Pasternack, Athletes' Voices & Oliver+Rose
Hudson Taylor, Athlete Ally
Damion Thomas, Smithsonian
Pharlone Toussaint, Center for Healing & Justice through Sport
Collin Williams, RISE
Please contact Erin Herbert eherbert@alicenter.org or Eli Wolff ewolff@powerofsportlab.org for more information about our Athletes and Social Change Forum.
2020 Forum
The 2020 Forum took place virtually on Thursday July 9 & Friday July 10. The theme of the 2020 Forum was “The role and impact of mentors and mentoring on the next generation of athletes and social change.” All of the sessions were recorded and can be enjoyed through the links below:
“The Greatness of Mentorship: Heart, Soul and Spirit”
Dr. Marion Keim, Foundation for Sport, Development and Peace; Dr. Lyndon Bouah, Western Cape Provincial Government , South Africa; and Mr. Warren Lucas, Youth Coordinator, Foundation for Sport, Development and Peace
“The Power of Connection”
Mr. Matt Meyersohn, MENTOR National; Mr. Dudney Sylla, MENTOR National; and Dr. Torie Weiston-Serdan, Youth Mentoring Action Network (YMAN)
“Mentoring is a Team Sport: Partnerships, Communities, and Working Together to Promote Social Change”
Dr. Sarah Hillyer, University of Tennessee Center for Sport, Peace, & Society | U.S. Department of State Global Sports Mentoring Program
"Applying Ubuntu as a Mentorship Framework for the Next Generation of Sport for Change Leaders"
Dr. Oscar Mwaanga
EduMove
“Mentoring and Mindfulness: A Compassionate Approach to Flourishing through Sport”
Mr. Sam Parfitt & Mr. Laurence Halsted
The True Athlete Project
“Mentoring, Community Impact and Mobilizing Social Movements”
Lauren Lubin April, Women's Sports Foundation; Anne Lieberman, Athlete Ally; and Phaidra Knight
“Moments, Mentors & Movements: A Conversation with Two Emerging Leaders in Sport for Social Change”
Ms. Pharlone Toussaint, Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA and Ms. Batouly Camara, Women and Kids Empowerment
“Mentoring through Sport in a Diverse World”
Dr. Akilah R. Carter-Francique
Institute for the Study of Sport, Society, and Social Change at San Jose State University
