Two simple words capture the essence of Muhammad Ali: The Greatest. To that end, the magazine that chronicled his life in vivid, multi-faceted detail since Ali was known as Cassius Clay, now provides the most in-depth and poignant coverage of the prettiest, fastest, baddest and “most woke” athlete and activist to grace the planet. With help from Guest Editor Marc Lamont Hill, Ali receives homage from modern thought leaders and celebrities including author dream hampton; writer/director/producer/actor Nate Parker; scholar Michael Eric Dyson; Hollywood heavy-hitter Don Cheadle and an exclusive interview with one of The Champ’s beloved daughters Laila Ali.
In addition to lavishing love on a man who never confined his feisty fighting spirit to the ring, 2016 marks 50 years of the Black Panther Party. From a history lesson on the group’s beginnings to a full-out syllabus for those (still) not in the know, this feature is a much-needed primer in the era of #BlackLivesMatter.
“When you read about Ali’s legacy, combined with the mission of the Black Panthers, you cannot help but draw striking parallels to the civil rights struggles we still face today,” explains Kyra Kyles, new editor-in-chief and senior vice president of digital editorial for EBONY Media Operations, LLC. “This is an eye-opening series of stories that need to be shared with current and future generations.”
Elsewhere in the issue, Ebony sits in with The Breakfast Club, known as “the world’s most dangerous” morning program. A firsthand account on how this crew—Charlamagne Tha God, DJ Envy and Angela Yee—truly earned this distinction, long before their now meme-worthy visit from Birdman. (Spoiler alert: Put some ‘respeck’ on this article.)
In keeping with the money, power and respect theme, EBONY STYLE staff highlights “statement-making gilded and baroque-inspired finds.” World Passport introduces us to the executive director of Nigeria’s Polo Luxury Group, which caters to the wealthy African consumer. We also meet a pastor-slash-protester who emphasizes that the Black church can, and must, do more to advance our rights in America. Check out the commemorative AUGUST issue, on newsstands now, and visit EBONY.com for extras, including a visual salute to Muhammad Ali.
