Daughter of Malcolm X Is African American History Month Speaker
Contact: Judith Josiah-Martin, (207) 581-1437
ORONO — Ilyasah Al-Shabazz, daughter of 1960s human rights activist Al-Shaheed Malik Shabazz, otherwise known as Malcolm X, will speak Feb. 17 at the University of Maine as part of African American History Month observances.
An author, activist and lecturer, Ilyasah Al-Shabazz will speak at 4 p.m. at the University Club at Fogler Library. The title of her talk, which is free and open to the public, is “Carrying on the Dream.” Her appearance is presented by the Black Student Union, Sisters Supporting Sisters, The Office of Multicultural Programs, Student Government and the Division of Student Affairs.
Al-Shabazz is the corporation president and a trustee of The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center at The Audubon in New York, where her father, an outspoken African American Muslim minister, was assassinated Feb. 21, 1965.
The son of a Baptist minister in Nebraska, Malcolm X was a controversial figure in the American human rights struggle, accused by detractors as a racist advocate for black supremacy, but revered by followers as a courageous advocate and one of the greatest and most influential African Americans in history. He was assassinated at age 39 by members of the Nation of Islam group, an association with which he was involved before a falling out. In 1998, Time magazine named “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” one of the 10 most influential nonfiction books of the 20th century.
Al-Shabazz, who produces “The Wake Up Tour,” a youth empowerment program designed to inspire young people, has served as the assistant coordinator for the Office of Academic Affairs at City University of New York, where she organized training programs to encourage higher education for inner city at-risk youth. She also has tutored and mentored at various group homes and lock-up facilities throughout the country. She holds a master of science in education and human resource development and a bachelor’s degree in biology.
Judith Josiah-Martin, director of the UMaine Office of Multicultural Programs, can be contacted at (207) 581-1437 for additional information.
In addition to the talk by Al-Shabazz and discussion to follow, the Office of Multicultural Programs, Office of International Programs and others are presenting the seventh annual International Dance Festival Feb. 19, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Collins Center for the Arts as an African American History Month event.