Street in west Louisville named after DeVone Holt, now the president and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville native DeVone Holt had a street named after him Thursday near where he grew up in the Parkland neighborhood.

Holt was the face of the campaign to open a Goodwill Opportunity Center to west Louisville and raised money and support for the $120 million campus at Broadway and 28th Street.

Earlier this year, he became the new president and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center and previously served as the chief external affairs officer at Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, national director of customer engagement for ResCare Workforce Services and special assistant to the superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools.

"This, in all those years, is the greatest achievement in my professional career," Holt said Thursday at the dedication.

DeVone Holt Way — Louisville native DeVone Holt had a street named after him Thursday near where he grew up in the Parkland neighborhood. July 18, 2024. *(WDRB Photo)*

Everyone from Lonnie Ali to Sir Friendly C and members of Louisville Metro Council gathered to celebrate.

"I'm very proud of how he has progressed as a young man and has moved forward to help enhance this city," said Leroy Burwell, who attended the street dedication.

Holt said he started his new job at the Ali Center on July 9, and the next day, he was on a plane with Ali to attend the ESPN Humanitarian Awards and the ESPY awards.

Holt is the first Louisvillian to serve as president and CEO in the museum's nearly 20-year history.

"I don't have to learn this job," Holt said earlier this month. "I don't have to learn this man. I know what I have to do. Now all I have to do is walk in it."

Holt said he aspires to build bridges from the community to the Ali Center, and hopes to use the center's influence to bring people together. Before news of his new role was made public, Holt said he spent some quiet time with the champ at his gravesite in Cave Hill Cemetery.

"I spent some time at his gravesite and I felt like this is where I belong," he said.

Holt grew up in the west end. At one point, he was one of 11 people living in a house on 28th Street. He says the street sign dedication is a full circle moment. He hopes it will encourage people to live life to the fullest.

"Love life, laugh, have fun, and not take yourself too seriously. That is the Devone Holt way," he said. "To help others."

Holt's whole family, including his mother and his wife, stood proudly by his side Thursday as he received the honor. He said it took 20 years of hard work for him to get to this level of success and believes his work is far from over.

"I am still here with a lot more work to do," he said.

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