Maryum “May May” Ali

(Artist, Public Speaker)

Maryum, the eldest of Muhammad Ali's nine children, was instilled with a deep sense of purpose from a young age. Her father often asked her, “What is your purpose?” Her unwavering reply was, “I want to help people.” This guiding belief has shaped Maryum’s richly layered life and career.

A natural creative, Maryum spent over a decade performing stand-up comedy, weaving humor with sharp social insight and moral messaging. In 1992, she released a rap album titled The Introduction under Scotti Bros. Records, using her music to spotlight social issues. As the rap industry began to emphasize violence and the objectification of women, Maryum stepped away from music, seeking a more direct path to positively influence young lives.

For over 15 years, Maryum has devoted herself to youth development and gang prevention, serving as a Case Manager and Program Director at nonprofit organizations. She has worked with hundreds of families in underserved communities, offering support, resources, and hope. Her dedication to community empowerment led her to serve as a Regional Manager for the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction & Youth Development. Over the past decade, she has also become a sought-after public speaker, delivering impactful presentations to social and human service organizations nationwide.

In 2024, Maryum marked the 20th anniversary of her inspirational children’s book, I Shook Up the World: The Incredible Life of Muhammad Ali, with a newly republished edition from Beyond Words Publishing. The book honors her father’s legacy while motivating a new generation of readers.

While she treasures her meaningful work in social services, Maryum is now returning to her artistic roots with her solo performance play, FLOAT. In this powerful one-woman show, she shares pivotal moments from her life, revealing how her father’s parenting and principles profoundly shaped her identity and sense of self-worth. Through moving and often humorous autobiographical stories, she reflects on growing up as a Black, Muslim girl in the wake of the Civil Rights Movement—exploring the complexities of identity amid judgment and intolerance. FLOAT is a heartfelt gem that takes your emotions on a beautifully unexpected ride. Maryum hopes her play inspires empathy and understanding across the boundaries that too often divide us.

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PAST EVENTS

  • National Association of Social Workers -“Leading Social Change” Conference - Washington, DC.

  • Illinois Department of Children and Family Services: The 28th Annual Conference, African American Advisory Council Institute. “Fatherhood Is Essential: Relationship Building & Effective Mentoring to Promote Reunification of Families” - Normal, IL.

  • PeaceTech Lab - “Road to Equal Justice” - Louisville, KY.

  • Addiction Professionals of North Carolina - Spring Conference - Lake Junaluska, NC.

  • Washington Department of Health & Social Services: Children's Justice Conference - Bellevue, WA.

  • Women Working in Corrections & Juvenile Justice (WWICJJ) Conference - Louisville, KY.4C for Children Leadership and Early Childhood Conference - Cincinnati, OH.

  • 17th Annual Georgia School of Addiction Studies -“Vision Without Boundaries”- Savannah, GA.

  • Federal Communication Commission - Visionary Women: Champions of Peace & Non-Violence - Washington, DC.

  • YWCA of Greater Portland, OR.

  • United Way of Genesee County Fundraiser - Flint, MI. 

  • Shippensburg University - Black History Month - Shippensburg, PA.

  • Youth Policy Institute - (Training Facilitator) Los Angeles, CA.

  • The Women's March on Washington, DC.

  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme - Oxnard, CA.

  • One Safe Place Conference "Stop the Violence: Emerging Trends & Innovative Strategies"-Fort Worth, TX.

  • United Way of Stanislaus County: Power of the Purse Fundraiser - Modesto, CA.

  • Dallas Furniture Bank Charity Fundraiser- Dallas, TX.

  • Kentucky Association of Counties Conference: Louisville, KY.

  • Brazos Valley Food Band, Inc. Fundraiser - Bryon, TX.

  • Correctional Training Facility: Soledad State Prison - Soledad, CA. 

  • American Jail Association (AJA) Conference - Louisville, KY.

  • Kennedy King College - Training Facilitator for Communication Workshop - Chicago, IL.

  • Hackensack University Medical Center - Hackensack, NJ.

  • Parkinson Alliance and Parkinson Unity Walk - New York, NY.

  • World Parkinson Congress Conference -  Portland, OR.

  • AbbVie Pharmaceuticals: Convention - Dallas, TX.

  • Adamas Pharmaceuticals: Convention - Los Angeles, CA.

  • South Coast Air Quality Management District: Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service Forum- Los Angeles, CA.

  • Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference (IRS) - Toronto, Canada

  • Muslim Legal Fund of America - Dallas, TX.

  • CAIR Fundraiser - Los Angeles, CA.

  • MPAC Annual Gala - Los Angeles, CA.

  • ISB's Change Makers Awards Gala - Atlanta, GA.

  • Helping Hands for Relief & Development - San Diego, CA.