Death doesn't always have to be dismal. While great loss is met with great grief, we can remember people and celebrate memories and a life lived. Since even before his passing, the city of Louisville has had many tributes to Muhammad Ali in many different forms.
1. Visit his childhood home.
Commemorate Ali’s end by returning to his beginning. Travel back in time to where the legend gained his fame and walk the streets where Cassius Clay played as a small child. Although the tiny pink house at 3302 Grand Ave. doesn’t look like much to the average person, we are all familiar with the phrase “big things come in small packages.” This little house is an enormous testament to the start of Ali’s everlasting legacy. It is the house that built not only a man, but a profoundly influential leader out of an ambitious kid. To the community, the house symbolizes opportunity and hope for not only a better life, but a better world. During his lifetime, Ali passionately advocated for the coming together of all people; since news of his death, his wishes for unity among people have been greatly honored. Individuals of all different racial and economic backgrounds have flocked to his childhood home in order to pay their respects, leaving small, intimate tokens to express their gratitude for his ability to celebrate differences rather than judge them. If you’re feeling sentimental, stop by his house and leave your own token of gratitude, whatever it may be.
Image: KCRA
2. Visit his Hometown Heroes banner.
It’s not too late to take a picture of yourself with “The Greatest.” On the LG&E building at Third Street and River Road hangs a 60-foot-tall banner, featuring a portrait of Muhammad Ali as the first-ever product of Louisville’s now-famous Hometown Heroes project. Started by The Greater Louisville Pride Foundation, Hometown Heroes seeks to honor individuals like Ali who have made a significant impact on our community, as well as out in the world. Snap a quick picture standing under the man himself, then mosey on over to the walking bridge for a breathtaking view of the city that bore a legend.
Image: louheroes.org
3. See him on Kentucky Rushmore and The New Vintage's mural.
For those of you with a bit more flair for the creative, two hand-painted murals featuring Muhammad Ali are located within minutes of one another and provide the perfect place for a great photo. Kentucky Rushmore was a project implemented to create a monument honoring four of Kentucky’s most famous icons: Muhammad Ali, Abraham Lincoln, Colonel Sanders and Secretariat. Located at 1583 Bardstown Road (on the side of what was previously WHY Louisville), Kentucky Rushmore is sure to provide a unique and scenic photo-op to commemorate not only the life of Muhammad Ali, but of three other local legends as well. As for The New Vintage, you can’t get more local than this. It hosts the newest of the murals around town honoring Ali; this unique artistic interpretation features two images that reflect perfectly what lies at the heart of Louisville — horse racing and Ali.
4. Take in the Muhammad Ali Center.
Take a day and educate yourself on what exactly made Muhammad Ali such an influential figure in history. Visit the award-winning Muhammad Ali Center (located at 144 N 6th St.) and discover the six core principles that enabled Ali to become the hero he is now remembered as. Completed in 2006, the Muhammad Ali Center has gone above and beyond in architecture, education and community outreach. Not only is it a museum dedicated to the life of a legend, but it is also an institution of community outreach dedicated to service in his honor. The Muhammad Ali center has developed many educational programs over the years with a strong focus on Louisville’s minority youth. To learn more about the center and all it has to offer, visit their website here.
Image: Muhammad Ali Facebook
