Dear Friends,

Over the years, Muhammad has been the beneficiary of a great outpouring of love, both nationally and internationally, for his athletic career and humanitarian efforts. While all eyes are turned on Muhammad for what he has done in the past, our thoughts are turned toward a new focus: the Muhammad Ali Center.

Some may wonder how a feisty, over-confident kid from Louisville could have become the Athlete of the Century and a United Nations Messenger of Peace. It is a story unlike any other. But the Ali Center is not intended to glorify the story or the man. Its purpose is to illustrate the how. How he found the courage, the dedication and the discipline to become great. How he found the conviction to stand up for what he believed. And how he turned his passion for excellence into a passion for peace. This is Muhammad's legacy and is our dream to have the world-class Ali Center in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, where these lessons can be brought to life and embraced by people of all ages.

We feel certain that this is the right time and right place for such an endeavor. We are heartened by the tremendous support from the citizens of Kentucky, state and local legislators, and by individuals all across the nation. People and institutions throughout the world are responding enthusiastically to the Ali Center's mission, programs and initiatives.

Now that the Ali Center is open, it is at the heart of our day-to-day life. State-of-the-art exhibits combine learning and fun while appealing to the mind, body and spirit. Muhammad enjoys having a presence at the center, greeting children and welcoming families from all over the world. If we had built a museum just to honor Muhammad, we would not be asking for your support. But we believe the Ali Center is the most vital way to carry out his life's mission of capturing the magic inside each of us and passing it on to generations to come. Given this, we humbly thank you for helping us make our dream a reality.

From the heart,

Lonnie Ali