A Black Muslim Minister and spokesman for the Nation of Islam and one of the most prominent black nationalist leaders in the United States. As a militant leader, Malcolm X advocated black pride, black power, economic self-reliance, and identity politics. He ultimately rose to become a world-renowned African American/Pan-Africanist and human rights activist.

Malcolm X graduated from junior high school at the top of his class, but dropped out soon after a teacher told him that his aspirations of being a lawyer were "no realistic goal for a nigger".

In December 1953, a little more than a year after he was paroled from prison, Malcolm was named the minister at the NOI’s Boston mosque, Temple No. 11. The following year he also became the minister at Temple No. 12 (Philadelphia) and Temple No. 7 (New York).

In the 1960s, Malcolm was invited to participate in numerous debates, including radio stations (Los Angeles, New York, Washington), television programs (“Open Mind,” “The Mike Wallace News Program”) and universities (Harvard Law School, Howard University, Columbia University). In 1963, the New York Times reported that Malcolm X was the second most sought after speaker in the US. On June 29, 1963 Malcolm lead one of the largest civil rights events - the Unity Rally in Harlem. Cassius Clay met Malcolm and converted to the Muslim religion and joined the Nation of Islam. In February 1964, he changed his name to Muhammad Ali. Malcolm formed the Muslim Mosque, Inc and the Organizations of Afro-American Unity.

On March 20, 1964, Life published a photograph of Malcolm holding an M1 Carbine and pulling back the curtains to peer out of the window of his family's home. The photo was taken in connection with Malcolm's declaration that he would defend himself from the daily death threats which he and his family were receiving. Undercover FBI informants warned officials that he had been marked for assassination. The following February at Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom, Malcolm delivered a speech to 400 people A disturbance broke out and three men rushed forward and shot Malcolm 16 times with handguns and a sawed-off shotgun.

Art by Miriam Klein Stahl!