The Shabazz Family, the Board of Directors, the administrators and staff of the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center, Inc. proudly join the Malcolm X Commemoration Committee in announcing a competitive essay contest on the Living Legacy of Malcolm X -- its Meaning and its Message.

As school reopens, the Committee urges all classroom teachers, school administrators, community mentors and parents to work with their young people so that they can participate in this contest in a meaningful way, We believe that having this opportunity to study, research and examine the life and work of this heroic ancestor will benefit our youngsters. As they work collectively with their teachers, mentors and fellow students, an understanding of Malcolm’s philosophy and work will become clearer, and most assuredly impact their lives and thinking in a positive manner.

We welcome participation by all students in the greater New York City area.

Participants and winners of this contest will be feted on May 16, 2008. This important event is being held at the recently renovated Audubon Ballroom, now known as the Shabazz Center, on Broadway at West 163 Street in Washington Heights.. The Audubon Ballroom is one of several historic spaces in Harlem where Malcolm taught, organized, led and inspired Black folk, as well as oppressed people everywhere, as they continued to struggle and demand racial, economic and social justice. Brother Malcolm was assassinated in the Audubon on February 21, 1965.

The essay contest is the youth component of the MXCC's annual observation of Malcolm's birth, May 19,1925. Commemoration of Brother Malcolm’s birth includes the essay contest and an annual pilgrimage to the slain freedom fighter's gravesite at Ferncliff Cemetery in Ardsley, NY, on the date of his birth. At that time, at his gravesite, brothers and sisters rededicate themselves to Brother Malcolm’s principles, philosophy, and his work.

Interested students, classroom teachers, administrators, community mentors and parents may call the Malcolm X Commemoration Committee at (718) 949-5153 or contact us by email at mxcc519@aol.com. in order to receive the guidelines and instructions for the essay contest in a timely fashion.

The Shabazz Center can be reached at
3940 Broadway, NYC 10032;
tel. (212) 568-1341;
or
http://www.theshabazzcenter.org.