As we celebrate the 100th birthday of the iconic civil rights leader and minister Malcolm X this May 19th, it is essential to reflect on his enduring legacy and relevance in today’s social and political landscape. His teachings and leadership continue to inspire our movement for racial justice, empowerment, and self-determination. Malcolm X’s teachings and activism remain as pertinent as ever in an American climate that is hell bent on erasure.
Malcolm Little was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on May 19, 1925. After a turbulent early life, which included a period in prison, he converted to Islam and joined the Nation of Islam, eventually becoming one of its most prominent leaders in the 1960s. He was known for his fierce speeches advocating for Black self-empowerment and self-defense, rejecting the more pacifistic stance taken by other civil rights leaders. He championed Black pride and called for a withdrawal from white society.
Malcolm X’s emphasis on Black pride, self-respect, and self-reliance challenged the status quo and inspired a new generation of activists to demand equality and justice. Following a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1964, he became known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz and broke off his ties with the Nation of Islam. He then founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity with a more inclusive, internationalist outlook.
He was assassinated in 1965 in New York City at the age of 39, leaving a legacy as one of the most dynamic figures in the struggle for racial justice. His influence in the fight for Black liberation is still being felt. Initiated by the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, communities across America are utilizing the People’s Assemblies model to make their voices heard, including here at Community Coalition (CoCo).
People’s Assemblies (PAs) equip every day people with the skills to organize their communities to create lasting positive change. PAs at CoCo enable community members to gather and share their opinions on issues they want addressed in the city. Surveys and polls capture what South LA residents consider the most urgent problems and pressing needs. Everyone can speak, share, hear from each other, and be heard. Through the information gathered from our residents at our PAs, CoCo activates its campaigns.
As we mark the centennial of his birth, we are reminded that Malcolm’s call to organize, educate, and uplift our people is not a relic of the past—it is a living, breathing mandate. From grassroots organizing to demands for justice, his legacy echoes in our ongoing struggle against systemic oppression and our tireless efforts to build a more just and equitable society. On Saturday, May 17th
, a historic event honored his dedication and his life’s work as a 5 mile portion of Crenshaw Blvd. was renamed Malcolm X Way.
The renaming reflects his profound impact on our communities. And it’s more than a symbolic act; it’s a declaration that Malcolm X’s vision for justice, dignity, and self-determination lives on in the hearts and minds of South Los Angeles. The work of Community Coalition and movements like the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement are part of this continuum, carrying forward the torch he lit for Black liberation.
In this moment, honoring Malcolm X means remembering him, but it also means recommitting. Recommitting to truth-telling in the face of those who seek to whitewash our history. Recommitting to organizing our communities, speaking truth to power, and building permanent institutions that serve us. It means raising our children to know they are powerful, brilliant, and deserving of justice.
As we celebrate Malcolm X’s 100th birthday, we don’t just look back—we move forward, grounded in the knowledge that his fight is still our fight and his dream of freedom is still within our reach.