Ilyasah bint Al-Shaheed Malik Al-Shabazz is an author, activist and lecturer dedicated to preserving the Shabazz Family legacy of service to humanity. Her father, martyred human rights activist, Al-Shaheed Malik Al-Shabazz, widely known as Malcolm X, was a man of impeccable integrity and character who remains globally revered as one of the most important human rights leaders of the United States. Malcolm X was only in his early thirties when his passionate and eloquent stand for justice earned him a platform on the international stage, campaigning against institutionalised oppression. His examples of sacrifice, self respect, dignity and altruism continue to inspire millions of people from all backgrounds, ethnicities and nationalities to truly believe in equality, justice and freedom as attainable inalienable rights intended for all of humanity. The Autobiograhy of Malcolm X has remained on the international best-seller’s list since its publication in 1965.

 

Ilyasah’s mother, Al-Shaheedah Dr. Betty Shabazz was a nurse, educator, activist and an international advocate for women’s rights. A widowed, penniless, homeless, terrified, badgered and harassed young woman in her twenties, Betty Shabazz refused to accept defeat or limitations; and she would never accept, “no” or “I can’t” as an answer. With faith in God and the true knowledge of her history, she raised her six girls, became a role model for single mothers, and zealously appropriated the legacy of her husband, Malcolm X. After receiving her PhD, Dr. Betty Shabazz accepted the professorship at Medgar Evers College because, in her words, “[she] was concerned about the plight of her people and could empathize with those struggling to take care of their families and to make ends meet.” She could have gone anywhere, but she chose a position where she could best serve others. Dr. Shabazz often said to Ilyasah, “Just as one must drink water, one must give back.”

 

ILYASAH SHABAZZ is committed to developing educational programs that foster self-empowerment; expanding the role of government to teach individual responsibility for improving society; and capitalizing on the arts & entertainment to encourage the understanding of history, culture, and self- expression.

 

Ms. Shabazz produces The WAKE-UP Tour?, her exclusive youth empowerment program designed to inspire young people to think and act critically to safeguard their futures. She is also corporation president and trustee of The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial, Educational, and Cultural Center, Inc. at The Audubon, the place of her father’s martyrdom in 1965. Ilyasah retraced her father’s footsteps to the Holy City of Mecca, and to the pyramids and Sphinx of Giza in Cairo, Egypt, and also explored religious and historical sites in Jordan as a guest of Her Royal Highness Princess Alia bint Al-Hussein.

 

In the field of Education, Ms. Shabazz served as Assistant Coordinator for the Office of Academic Affairs - City University of New York, where she organized training programs to encourage higher education for inner-city at-risk youth. She has tutored and mentored residents at various group homes and lock-up facilities throughout the United States. Ms. Shabazz holds a Masters of Science in Education & Human Resource Development and a Bachelors of Science in Biology.

In the area of Government, Ms. Shabazz served the citizens of Mount Vernon, New York as Executive Youth Board Member, as Director of Public Affairs and Special Events and as Director of Cultural Affairs. Ms. Shabazz also served as an official member of the United States delegation that accompanied President Bill Clinton on the historic tour of Johannesburg, Soweto, and Capetown, South Africa to commemorate the victory of then newly-elected President Nelson Mandela. Ms. Shabazz also worked as a member of the American Interfaith Leadership delegation participating with the Malaria No More Foundation to provide 2 million mosquito bed-nets that ultimately saved the lives of 95% at-risk children aged 0-5 in Mali, West Africa.

 

With a diverse career in the Entertainment Industry spanning approximately ten years, Ms. Shabazz has proven herself indispensable in various capacities. Her most recent credits include Executive Producer of the television pilot, SHARE The eXperience™.

 

Ms. Shabazz assisted Spike Lee with production of the film, ‘Malcolm X’, starring Denzel Washington and Angela Basset and also provided a cameo appearance. The movie won thirteen U.S. and international awards, including two Oscar Award nominations. Ms. Shabazz provided expertise to 40 Acres + a Mule Filmworks as an assistant technical advisor and production assistant.

 

Growing Up X, Shabazz’ coming-of-age memoir, has been heralded by many diverse leaders:
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee said “...it is a clear impression of Black family values as any ever written, reflecting the pride of a child who knows she was ‘raised right’.”
Harvard Professor Dr. Alvin F. Poussaint described Growing Up X as "[a personal picture] that helps [the reader] to see Malcolm X and his family free from the typical media highlight of his so-called violent rhetoric.”
Heart & Soul Magazine wrote “... it is a heart warming story into the world of a daughter whose father would be proud.” Maya Angelou, the world renowned poet, author and activist, praised Ms. Shabazz for “... the courage to remember, the courage to see, and the courage to say what she saw.” Johnnie Cochran, the famed civil rights attorney affirmed, “... it [Growing Up X] is a must read.” And Spike Lee, the Emmy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated American film director, producer, writer, and actor, noted for his films dealing with controversial, social and political issues concluded, “Growing Up X is destined to become a classic.”

 

Growing Up X has won critical acclaim as: (1) The BET.com Best Book List; (2) The Essence Magazine Best Seller List; (3) The NAACP Image Award Nomination for Outstanding Non-Fiction Literary Work; and (4) The United Press International Book of the Week.

 

Ilyasah Shabazz persists as a committed and compassionate author, lecturer, and human rights activist. Extensive travels to Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the West Indies and throughout the United States inform her unique brand of educating about world history and culture to capacity audiences.

 

“The example my parents set, both in and outside of our household, helped me to understand that we all have a specific purpose in life—to give back to society.” –Ilyasah Shabazz

 

 

 

 

 

Topics:
Celebrity,Diversity

Links: 






Full GBS Roster