Harlem Honors El Hajj Malik El Shabazz Minister Malcolm X

In celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Malcolm X, the 125th Street Business Improvement District has created this virtual tribute that captures the community event held to celebrate Malcolm X twenty five years ago. This is a digital photo pictorial of the historic celebration on 125th Street that took place in 2001.  We are honored to share these unseen photos and other tributes from some of Harlem’s greatest leaders.

 

May 19, 2025 marks what would have been the 100th birthday of El-Hajj Malik El Shabazz, Minister Malcolm X. He was a powerful voice in the civil rights movement and a figure who helped shape the cultural and political identity of Harlem, especially along 125th Street. From his early witnessing of the 1943 Harlem riots to his mass-demonstration in 1957 — Malcolm X consistently used Harlem’s 125th Street as an open forum to engage the community. His 1960 speech at the Harlem Freedom Rally was delivered to thousands of people who packed onto the intersection of 125th Street and Seventh Avenue (Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard). During his speech, Malcolm said: we are  “gathered here today in Harlem Square to a Freedom Rally, of black people, by black people, and for the benefit of black people”. This marked a turning point where his message evolved to unite broader Black coalitions under the banner of freedom, equality, and justice. 

As Harlem prepares for this historic milestone, we are reflecting on a meaningful moment in our community’s history. In 2001, Gamilah-Lamumba Shabazz, Ilyasah Shabazz and Malaak Shabazz took center stage in a community-wide celebration honoring the birthday of their martyred father, EI-Hajj Malik El Shabazz, Minister Malcolm X, who would have been 76 years old on May 19 of that year. The 125th Street Business Improvement District (BID), taking the lead in organizing the celebration, was pleased to support the daughters of El-Hajj Malik El Shabazz on this special occasion that included all areas of the community uniting to plan a meaningful and all inclusive day. 2,000 community members united at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building to honor the iconic civil rights leader’s legacy through a day-long celebration of educational activities and community events. Businesses and residents participated in the day-long activities by, among others, presenting scholarships and hosting activities in their stores. Representatives from faith-based institutions, schools, arts and cultural institutions, government agencies, corporations, and media, along with elected officials and dignitaries from around the world joined the celebration.