Louisville inaugurates Day of Compassion on Ali anniversary

Louisville, Kentucky, marked the tenth anniversary of Muhammad Ali's death on Wednesday with a new global initiative focused on service and compassion. The Muhammad Ali Center, founded by the late boxing legend and his wife, Lonnie Ali, launched the inaugural Day of Compassion to encourage volunteer work and acts of kindness worldwide.

The announcement came during a remembrance ceremony at the center, which was part of the city's tenth annual Ali Fest. Lonnie Ali joined local officials, including Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and former Mayor Greg Fischer, for the event. The center partnered with Metro United Way to coordinate community service projects across Louisville, with Lonnie Ali participating in efforts such as preparing meals for people experiencing homelessness and assembling care kits for children with cancer.

In a public address, Lonnie Ali reflected on her husband's enduring message. She stated that service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth, a principle he lived by. She emphasized that the call to engage and be of service is more urgent than ever. The Day of Compassion is designed to shift focus from remembrance to action, promoting the...