The City of Los Angeles unveils new street signs honoring Malcom X

by Primary Author: Christina Izzo

Malcolm X played a significant role in the American civil rights movement but especially so here in Los Angeles, where the human-rights activist famously held a press conference and delivered a powerful eulogy at the (now demolished) Statler-Hilton Hotel in 1962 to bring international attention to the violent LAPD actions that resulted in the death of Ronald Stokes. And in honor of what would be the icon's 100th birthday, the City of Angels is unveiling new street signs in his honor.

Over the weekend, Los Angeles City Council members, community leaders, neighborhood residents and devoted activists gathered in Leimert Park to honor civil rights leader Malcolm X on what would have been his 100th birthday. As part of Saturday's celebration, L.A. officials revealed that a five-mile stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard will now officially be known as Malcolm X Way. The route intersects other landmarks that spotlight fellow Black-American icons, including Obama Boulevard and Nipsey Hussle Square.

“[Malcolm X] was a truth-teller, unafraid to speak uncomfortable truths and his words (ignited) the Black power movement. His dedication to human rights transcends borders, connecting the American struggle to the global movements for social justice," said L.A. City Councilmember Heather Hutt, per the Los Angeles Daily News.

Along with the historic street-sign dedications, Saturday also marked the 33rd Annual Malcolm X Legacy Celebration & Festival in Los Angeles's Leimert Park Plaza, which included powerful performances, film screenings and youth-led activities honoring Malcolm X's centennial. The theme of this year's event was "Human Rights, By Any Means Necessary"—with that ethos in mind, the festival also honored Andre Parvenu/Msonga Mbele, Sabir Majeed, and Roman Combs for their significant contributions to community service, entrepreneurship and photography.