Beyond the Boxer: Ali and the Humanitarian Within
2015
The Grawemeyer Spirit Award was created for the 30th anniversary of the University of Louisville's Grawemeyer Awards program in 2015, "to recognize an individual whose beliefs, actions and worldwide impact are in accord with Charles Grawemeyer's impetus for creating the awards program that bears his name."
Muhammad Ali was chosen as the inaugural recipient of the Grawemeyer Spirit Award, and presented with the Grawemeyer Medal and glass award sculpture on September 17, 2015 at the Louisville Palace in Louisville, Kentucky.
At the awards ceremony Lonnie Ali said, "Muhammad is honored to be recognized by the University of Louisville and the Grawemeyer Awards Committee with the very first Charles Grawemeyer Spirit Award. In accepting this award, we are reminded that Muhammad's life continues to inspire generations of people to discover and cultivate their own path to greatness and to use their talents and successes to empower others in communities all over the world. This award allows Muhammad's legacy, like Charles Grawemeyer's legacy, to live on through the people they inspire."
