Malcolm X celebrations to mark 99th birthday and Hall of Fame induction

Black nationalist and Muslim leader Malcolm X, circa 1965, talking to a woman inside Temple 7, a Halal restaurant patronized by black Muslims and situated on Lenox Avenue and 116th Street, Harlem, New York. (Richard Saunders/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

OMAHA — Omaha-born human rights leader Malcolm X, who would have turned 99 years old on May 19, is being commemorated at two upcoming events.

On Sunday, a celebration at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Milo Bail Student Center is to mark the slain leader’s actual birthday with a soul food dinner, Black heritage program and awards.

The collaboration between the Malcolm X Foundation and the UNO Black Studies Department is to include live performances, speakers and presentation of “X Awards” to community members.

2024 “X Award” winners

Malcolm X Innovator: Marcey Yates

Malcolm X Equity: State Sen. Terrell McKinney 

Shabazz Courage: George Johnson 

The Rowena Moore: Celeste Butler

Malcolm X Speaks Youth: Shailyn Simpson

Transformation Change Agent: Shakur Abdullah, Mondo We Langa, Edward Poindexter 

Dinner is $25; youths 18 and younger can attend for free. Tickets are on sale through noon Sunday.

On Wednesday, May 22, the Nebraska Hall of Fame is scheduled to formally induct Malcolm X as its 27th member. 

A 1 p.m. ceremony in the State Capitol Rotunda is to be followed by a reception in the Nebraska History Museum.

Special guests will include family members of Malcolm X and his foundation’s executive director, JoAnna LeFlore-Ejike, who was also the inductee’s nominator.

LeFlore-Ejike called the induction an opportunity for not only the state but the nation to recognize the historic figure and his contributions as a human rights activist.

“Malcolm X set the blueprint for us to live with courage and prepare the next generation to lead with integrity,” she said in a media release from History Nebraska.

Gov. Jim Pillen and members of the Hall of Fame Commission are among others set to participate in the induction.

The Nebraska Hall of Fame, administered by History Nebraska, was established by the Legislature in 1961 to officially recognize outstanding Nebraskans who made significant contributions to the state and the nation. 

History Nebraska assembled background on the state’s first African-American inductee:

Born Malcolm Little at University Hospital in Omaha on May 19, 1925, Malcolm X was the son of Earl and Louise Little of 3448 Pinkney St., where a campus has been built, and is poised to grow, to commemorate Malcolm X’s legacy.

The family moved to another state when Malcolm X was a baby, as his dad, who helped organize the Omaha chapter of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, faced threats by white supremacist night riders.

Earl Little was allegedly murdered, and shortly afterward, his wife was diagnosed with a mental illness, pushing the state to split up Malcolm and his seven siblings into foster care.

Eventually, Malcolm was sent to Boston to live with his older sister Ella Collins-Little and relocated to New York, where he was convicted of burglary and served, a prison sentence of about 6.5 years. During that time, he became self-educated and converted to Islam prior to his release.

After leaving prison, Malcolm took the name Malcolm X and studied under Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam during his 12-year membership. Malcolm was known for being outspoken about the mistreatment of Blacks and advocated nationwide for their human rights in America. He was documented speaking at numerous institutions across the country and over a dozen nations overseas. 

During his pilgrimage to Mecca, he converted to Orthodox Islam, abandoning concepts of racial antagonism; counseling others about the need for human brotherhood and international cooperation. 

As a result of his travels, Malcolm X formed the Organization of Afro-American Unity and Moslem Mosque Inc. His autobiography was published in 1964, just a few months before his death. Malcolm X was assassinated on Feb. 21, 1965, in New York City.

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