Muhammad Ali Center Announces New ‘Stories Of Ali” Lecture Program

“Stories of Ali,” a brand new lecture program of the Muhammad Ali Center will bring its Oral History Project to life through a series of live recorded programs.  Each event will focus on a specific topic of Muhammad’s life, featuring two or three persons knowledgeable about the Muhammad Ali-specific theme to participate in a public oral history forum facilitated by the Center’s Collections Department.

The inaugural program, “Ali and the Nation”, will be on Friday, March 30^th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Ali Center. It is free and open to the public.

“Stories of Ali: Ali and the Nation” will present two approaches and understandings of the Nation of Islam: to explore Ali’s early religious conversion and his choice to devote much of his life to his new faith. The two interviewees are:

Dr. Brandon McCormack, professor of Pan-African Studies at the University of Louisville, will offer an educational and historical perspective.

Donald Lassere, president and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center, grew up on the South Side of Chicago and has memories of the Nation of Islam selling bean pies and serving as protectors. Through his role at the Center, Donald will offer a unique perspective of the Louisville Lip. His stories will be of a personal nature, based on memories, and professional knowledge.

The Muhammad Ali Center’s Oral History Project is an ongoing initiative created to utilize the practice of oral history to document the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali. More information about the Project is available here.