Boxer, Author, Fitness Expert Laila Ali to Deliver North Carolina A&T Commencement Address

Laila Ali

Greensboro, N.C. (April 4, 2017) – Undefeated boxing champion, daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali, author and TV host Laila Ali will be the keynote speaker at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s May 13 main commencement ceremony, school officials announced today.

The ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.

Laila’s appearance comes a little less than one year after the death of her father last summer at the age of 74. The most well known of the boxing icon’s children, Laila was born to him and Veronica Porché Ali in 1977. She began boxing at the age of 18, turning professional at 22, earning five world titles and retiring undefeated with a record of 24-0 after eight years.

Her work in television has been extensive, with appearances on such shows as The New Celebrity Apprentice, All In With Laila Ali, Everyday Health on ABC, Chopped, Dancing with the Stars, the CBS Early Show and We Need to Talk. The latter is the CBS Sports Network’s all-female sports commentary program, the first of its kind. She also provided expert commentary for NBC Sports for women’s boxing in the 2012 Olympics, the first Olympiad in which that sport was included.

Laila has been a major supporter of Title IX, a federal law that protects women’s rights to be treated equally in collegiate sports. She is a past president of the Women’s Sports Foundation, through which she has spoken out for Title IX and equality for women in professional and amateur sports, advocating for programs that encourage health, strength and confidence for young women.

Laila also co-authored the 2002 book “Reach!,” a dynamic retelling of her own life story aimed at young women. She and her husband, former NFL star Curtis Conway, and their children, Curtis Jr. and daughter Sydney, live in Los Angeles.

About North Carolina A&T State University – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is the nation’s largest historically black university. It is a land-grant, higher-research classified university by the Carnegie Foundation and constituent member of the University of North Carolina system. A&T is known for its leadership in producing graduates in engineering, agriculture and other STEM fields. The university was founded in 1891 and is located in Greensboro, North Carolina