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On what would have been the 100th birthday of Malcolm X in May 2025, major legal and commemorative events marked his enduring influence. Malcolm X’s family filed a $100 million wrongful death lawsuit against the FBI, CIA, and NYPD, alleging concealment of evidence and complicity in his assassination. The family and their legal team called for the full release of all government files related to Malcolm X, emphasizing the need for truth and transparency even six decades after his death[1].

Centennial commemorations took place worldwide, underscoring Malcolm X’s profound impact on civil rights, Black empowerment, and global struggles for justice. In New York City, the Shabazz Center hosted a major event featuring speakers such as Rev. Al Sharpton, Mayor Eric Adams, attorney Ben Crump, and Malcolm X’s daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz. The event highlighted his global legacy and the continuing urgency of his call for justice. Community celebrations converted Malcolm X Boulevard in Harlem into a vibrant cultural hub, while academic institutions hosted panels and performances examining the modern relevance of Malcolm X’s philosophical legacy[2].

In Washington, D.C., reparations advocates gathered in Lansburgh Park for a National Reparations Rally, aligning their demands for federal and local reparations with Malcolm X’s centennial. The rally celebrated recent progress in the reparations movement and united over 200 organizations in a renewed call for systemic change[3].

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture commemorated Malcolm X with an evening of music and reflective conversation, tracing his journey from Malcolm Little to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz and highlighting his vision for civil rights, self-determination, and global solidarity[4].

Op-eds and retrospectives published around the centennial stressed the continuing relevance of Malcolm X’s warnings against political hypocrisy and the need for vigilance against voter suppression and rollbacks of civil rights. Observers compared modern-day America’s challenges with the injustices Malcolm X confronted, noting how his calls for empowerment and political engagement echo powerfully today[5].

Major scholarly events, such as the Malcolm X Centennial Conference at Michigan State University, convened interdisciplinary panels to explore Malcolm X’s life, his impact on liberation movements, and the intersection of religion, activism, and Black radical thought[6].

Media outlets widely reflected on Malcolm X’s complex legacy: his transformation from working-class youth to eloquent advocate of Black self-determination, his influence on both radical and mainstream civil rights thinking, and his ongoing status as both an inspiration and a lightning rod in American history[7].

Film retrospectives and discussion series also explored the depth of Malcolm X’s influence, inviting audiences to engage with his story and ideas—both as an iconic leader and as a human being committed to making others feel seen and empowered[8].

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