Malcolm X was one of the most influential and controversial Black leaders in American history. Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1925. Malcolm rose from a life of hardship, incarceration, and racial injustice. To become a powerful voice for Black empowerment and self-determination.

Before he became a national figure, Malcolm lived a life shaped by poverty, racism, and crime. In his early twenties, he was involved in drug dealing, gambling, and burglary. In 1946, at the age of 20, he was arrested for burglary and sentenced to ten years in prison. It was during his time behind bars that Malcolm underwent a profound transformation. He educated himself and studied Black history. Malcolm X joined the Nation of Islam. This is where he adopted the name. He went with the name because he felt it symbolized the loss of his African heritage and rejection of his “slave name.”

In 1964, Malcolm broke away from the Nation of Islam. He converted to Sunni Islam and made a pilgrimage to Mecca. This experience transformed his worldview. He began advocating for global human rights and unity among oppressed people of all races.

Tragically, Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21, 1965, at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City. Yet, his legacy lives on. His speeches, writings, and bold ideas continue to inspire those fighting for justice, dignity, and liberation today.

Malcolm X once said, “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.” And indeed, his vision of Black self-determination and resistance remains deeply relevant in the ongoing struggle for equality.