Malcolm X (El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz)

Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little in 1925, was a prominent African American leader and civil rights activist known for his advocacy for black empowerment and pride. He converted to the Nation of Islam while in prison and became a fierce critic of racial injustice. After leaving the Nation, he embraced a more inclusive vision for social justice and Islamic faith, adopting the name El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz after a pilgrimage to Mecca. His eloquent speeches and writings highlighted systemic racism and called for self-determination. Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965, leaving a lasting legacy in the struggle for civil rights.