The centennial celebration highlights Malcolm X’s enduring legacy and the ongoing fight for a sovereign African nation
The All-African People’s Revolutionary Party (A-APRP) marked the 100th birthday of el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, better known as Malcolm X, with a powerful tribute on May 19, 2025. The organization released a striking graphic featuring a silhouette of the African continent filled with portraits of prominent African leaders and activists, symbolizing the shared history and resilience of African people worldwide. The image prominently displayed the text “100 YEARS EL-HAJJ MALIK EL-SHABAZZ MALCOLM X,” emphasizing the significance of the milestone.
The A-APRP used this occasion to reinforce its mission of building a united, sovereign, and self-sufficient African nation, a vision that aligns closely with Malcolm X’s later advocacy for global human rights and Pan-Africanism. The organization, which operates in over 113 countries, emphasized the importance of African unity, drawing on the principles of Kwame Nkrumah, the founder of the A-APRP and a key figure in the Pan-African movement. Nkrumah’s ideology, often termed Nkrumahism, blends Pan-Africanism with socialist principles, advocating for a collective African identity and destiny.
Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska, transformed from a street hustler into a global advocate for Black liberation. He adopted the name “X” to reject the surname tied to slavery, symbolizing the lost African ancestry of millions. After his 1964 Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, he took the name el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, reflecting his embrace of Sunni Islam and a broader human rights perspective. This shift led him to establish the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU) in 1964, a secular group aimed at uniting African Americans with their African heritage while addressing systemic issues like economic inequality and political disenfranchisement.
The A-APRP’s tribute reflects Malcolm X’s profound influence on the Pan-African movement, particularly after his travels across Africa in the early 1960s, where he met with leaders like Nkrumah and witnessed the potential of a unified African continent. His work with the OAAU focused on practical steps toward self-determination, including voter registration drives and education reform, as well as fostering economic independence within Black communities.
Globally, the centennial of Malcolm X’s birth has sparked renewed interest in his legacy. Schools such as the El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz Academy in Lansing, Michigan, and various community events have celebrated his contributions to civil rights and human rights activism. The A-APRP’s message underscores the continued relevance of his ideas in addressing modern challenges facing African communities, from systemic racism to economic exploitation.
This commemoration serves as a rallying cry for the A-APRP’s broader goals, urging African people worldwide to work toward a future of unity and sovereignty. The organization’s efforts highlight the enduring impact of Malcolm X’s vision, inspiring a new generation to continue the fight for liberation and self-determination across the African diaspora.
