May 19, 2025 will mark 100 years since the birth of Malik El-Hajj Shabazz. Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, spending time as Detroit Red, and becoming more widely known to the world as the revolutionary Malcolm X, Malcolm was deeply connected with the arts. From childhood, Malcolm found himself enamored with music, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington. These encounters also brought Malcolm into a direct relationship with the contradictions of the ruling class. 

Later, Malcolm became a self-taught photographer and printer, creating and managing the Nation of Islam’s first publication, “Muhammed Speaks.” He learned through trial and error, creating images that communicated revolutionary force in a changing nation. Today, cultural work and art still stands at the forefront in the battle to change the world. Combatting capitalism and all of its tools, tools like racism, imperialism, xenophobia, homophobia, requires fighting with tooth and nail, brush, and stanza. 

To commemorate Malcolm’s 100th Birthday, Artists Against Apartheid is launching a call for art inspired by Malcolm and what he stands for in the struggle for Black Liberation, and ultimately, liberation for us all. The prompt for the artwork is as follows: Show us how you see Malcolm X’s legacy and mission reflected in your community. Submit images that speak to that through the use of creative visual language!

Print work pieces will be utilized for an art walk the weekend of Malcolm’s Centennial of 5/17 and 5/18. Several pieces might also be selected for development into a mural project to be painted in and around Los Angeles.