Black Panther star to play Pro Boxer and SOAS Alum in new film
An upcoming film, "In The Shadows”, will portray the life of Ramla Ali, a distinguished alumna of SOAS. Talented actress Letitia Wright, known for her role in Black Panther, has been chosen to depict Ramla Ali's inspiring journey as a boxing champion and advocate for women's empowerment.
"I couldn't think of anyone else, any other human being in this world, that could do this role justice -- that could do me justice," Ali told ESPN. "I'm just incredibly grateful for how everything has aligned."
Pictured above: Ramla Ali, professional boxer, model, and campaign activist.
Ramla Ali's story is one of unwavering resilience and determination. Born in war-torn Somalia, she defied cultural norms to pursue her passion for boxing, training late at night and challenging societal expectations. She became the first Somali boxer to win an English title, breaking barriers and inspiring others. Ali was also the first boxer, male or female, to represent Somalia in the Olympics at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
Speaking about her education, Ali told Dazed: “Ever since we came to the UK my mum has been like, education, education, education. So me and all my siblings went to school, we did well, we got degrees.”
During her time at SOAS, Ramla Ali showcased her intellectual abilities obtaining a first-class degree in Law. Alongside pursuing her boxing accomplishments, Ali went on to set up the boxing federation in Mogadishu, Somalia, and in 2018, launched the Sisters Club, a charitable organisation established to give Muslim women and minorities a space to learn and practise boxing here in the UK.
The forthcoming film will illuminate the challenges she faced, the victories she achieved, and the spirit that made her an icon of resilience. Ali has spoken previously about the struggles she faced to reach her goals: not knowing her birth year due to lost documentation, not being able to speak the same language as her peers in school, and hiding her boxing from family for years whilst simultaneously winning national championships.
As an institution, we take great pride in the accomplishments of our alumni, and Ramla Ali's journey embodies the essence of SOAS. Her story exemplifies the transformative power of education, determination, and breaking barriers.
