Released: Sept. 9, 1999

"Diversity Weekend" in Danville to feature Howard Bingham

DANVILLE, KY - Photojournalist Howard Bingham, a prize-winning photographer who became Muhammad Ali's biographer and closest friend, will keynote 1999 Diversity Weekend in Danville, Saturday, Sept. 25. Bingham will show selections from his photos that have chronicled famous Americans ranging from Elvis Presley and Howard Cosell to Bill Cosby and President Jimmy Carter.

Last year's Diversity Weekend attracted an audience of close to 1,000 for an appearance by filmmaker Spike Lee.

Bingham will present a pictorial narrative, showing slides of his photographs to accompany remarks about the impact of African-Americans on recent American history. His remarks will begin at 6 p.m. in Newlin Hall at Centre's Norton Center for the Arts. Tickets, which are $10 per person, are available through the Norton Center box office. Group discounts are available.

Immediately prior to the main program, Bingham will greet the public at a reception beginning at 5 p.m. in Sutcliffe Hall at Centre.

He also plans to spend a day (Friday, Sept. 24) visiting students and groups in the local public schools, as well as the Kentucky School for the Deaf and Centre College.

Bingham's visit is cosponsored by Centre College and the Coming Home agency.

The winner of numerous awards including 1997 International Photographer of the Year, Bingham is best known for his book on Ali. The two first met in 1962 when Bingham photographed the young boxer, then named Cassius Clay, for a Los Angeles newspaper. The men became friends, and Bingham eventually was to serve as best man in Ali's wedding. Bingham also created his remarkable photographic essay on Ali, published by Simon and Schuster as Muhammad Ali: A Thirty-Year Journey.

Bingham is credited with arranging for Ali to light the torch at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Bingham will authograph copies of the Ali book during his visit to Danville. The volume includes intimate photos of Ali at home with his children, rollicking glimpses of him clowning with the Jackson Five and other celebreties, and portraits of him during the years when he drew widespread public criticism for refusing induction into the Army based on religious convictions.

- end -

Communications Office
Centre College
600 W. Walnut Street
Danville, KY 40422

Coordinator of Public Information: Patsi Barnes Trollinger
Telephone 606-238-5719 · trllngrp@centre.edu