Finding Greatness Within: Celebrating the Opening of Wi3 at the Muhammad Ali Center

Louisville, Kentucky's Muhammad Ali Center will host the opening reception of the American Booksellers Association's Third Annual Winter Institute (Wi3). The event, which is made possible by the generous support of ABA's Event and Publisher Partners, will be held on Thursday, January 24, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

The education and cultural center inspired by the ideals of its founder, Muhammad Ali, features two-and-a-half levels of interactive exhibits and captivating multimedia presentations about Ali's life and his ideals of respect, confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, and spirituality. Through an innovative visitor experience and educational programming, the center fosters global initiatives, including a special focus on peaceful conflict resolution.

The center is an international cultural center, with 19 different languages incorporated throughout its exhibits. Voices from around the world are represented in a variety of exhibits, including two underwritten by actress Angelina Jolie. Hope and Dream, designed by Korean artist Ik-Joong Kang, is composed of thousands of individual 3" x 3" tiles created by children from 141 countries from around the world. Global Voices celebrates the spirit of community through art and poems from people worldwide who express their hopes for the future, their thoughts about people who are special, and their wishes for the world.

The Ali Center will be open for the evening exclusively for members of ABA. Hors d'oeuvres and beer, wine, and soft drinks will be served.

A complimentary shuttle bus will run continuously between the hotel and the Ali Center. The first shuttle will leave the hotel at 6:45 p.m. The last shuttle leaving the Ali Center will depart at 10:30 p.m.

The center is at One Muhammad Ali Plaza, 144 North 6th Street, in Louisville.

Watch for more on Wi3's special events in upcoming editions of BTW.