Boxing champion, fitness expert and television personality Laila Ali will speak at Ithaca College on Thursday, Sept. 29. Free and open to the public, her talk will be held at 7 p.m. in the Athletics and Events Center.
Doors will open approximately 30 minutes before the event. Students enrolled in the Media for Social Responsibility course will be seated ahead of time, as this lecture is part of their course.
“We are tremendously fortunate to have Laila visiting Ithaca College,” said Diane Gayeski, dean of the Roy H. Park School of Communications. “As a world-class athlete, fitness expert, television personality, author and entrepreneur, Laila will provide important insights and inspiration not only for our communications students, but also for students studying a whole range of topics, from athletic training to business.”
Ali has been heralded as the most successful woman in boxing history, winning four world championships. She was undefeated over the course of her career, recording 24 victories, including 21 by knockout. Ali is the daughter of the celebrated late boxer and humanitarian, Muhammad Ali.
Ali appears regularly on television as both a sports commentator and health and fitness expert. She was the host of “Everyday Health” on ABC, has appeared on cooking shows like Food Network’s “Chopped” and “Rachael Ray,” and is a regular panelist on “We Need To Talk,” an all-female sports program on CBS Sports.
She is scheduled to appear as a contestant on NBC’s “The New Celebrity Apprentice,” hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger, debuting in January.
In 2002, Ali wrote “Reach! Finding Strength, Spirit, and Personal Power.” In the book, she recounts her own life experiences as a way to motivate and inspire young people.
Ali is a former president of the Women’s Sports Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes equality for women in professional sports, and is a prominent voice in support of Title IX, which protects women’s rights to participate equally in collegiate sports. She also served as “Mombassador” for the 2012 Aquaphor New York City Triathalon, encouraging others to live an active lifestyle.
Ali’s talk is sponsored by the Park Distinguished Visitor Series and will serve as the keynote to this year’s Media for Social Responsibility course in the Park School, focusing on the issue of Portrayals of Disability and Chronic Illness in Popular Culture. She will speak to students enrolled in the course prior to her keynote address.
For more information contact Melissa Gattine, marketing communications manager in the Park School, at (607) 274-1023 or mgattine@ithaca.edu.