Malcolm X & Dr Betty Shabazz Memorial & Educational Center

Everyone that appreciates the struggle for civil rights should visit the center. I read The Autobiography of Malcolm X a very long time ago and it changed me. I’ve read it many times over the years.
I lived here in Manhattan for quite a while before I went to visit the Audubon Ballroom. It was a special exhibit that drew me there. I always wanted to go. Just to be in the place where he stood and the street he walked was important to me.
I was not disappointed. While I was there a young man asked me if I was enjoying the exhibit. I told him my story, how much I admired Malcolm for overcoming all obstacles. He showed me the spot where Malcolm X was gunned down. He told me how the room was at that time. He said the space was divided in half from the original room. A wall was added. The family has the half of the floor where Malcolm died.
I feel guilty even writing this. I can’t do justice to the story I’m telling. I don’t feel worthy to tell it.
I left a small donation that day. I wish I could do more to help preserve his memory and this space at the Audubon Ballroom.
I’m posting the pictures I took that day here. The women of the Civil Rights Movement. I share them on my Facebook account. Anything I can do to help educate, I try.
I hope someone will enjoy these photos. I hope they use them to do further research. I hope it inspires people to visit the Audubon Ball room and the Education Center located in that holy place.
Education is truly power.

Wife and I chose to spend the special day of our anniversary/​honeymoon at Malcolm X (RIP) Educational Center. In fact, visiting this center was the sole reason of why we opted to vacationed in NYC. On the day of our 1 year wedding anniversary, we woke up bright and early as instructed on our personal itinerary and hopped on the subway to Washington Heights. We arrived soon after only to discover that the MXBS Memorial Center was closed for the day due to a latter private function… You mean to tell my I’ve waited 10 years and traveled all the way from Seattle just to have it closed… Nope, YounG X ain’t having that… Not trying to incriminate myself, but I made my way on in. Malcolm X would have understood. Upon entry was emotional for myself as this was the site where my hero was assassinated by some punk cowards… Nonetheless, the center itself was beautiful! The architectural design was outstanding and meticulously crafted… We explored both floors as we took our time reading the quotes that were plastered throughout this historic building… Our experience at the center was powerful, inspiring, and touching; you can definitely feel a heavy presence in the air. My other half and I spent a good 3 hours just sitting and conversing, marinating it all in, just us and the center all to ourselves… I have never felt so at peace.
You see, Malcolm X had transition myself into the man that is being shown before you. Not only did he broaden my horizon in a whole new perspective, he saved my life… The way I see it, Brother Malcolm was us, he was you and I. For individuals to truly understand the hood, you yourself, gotta be from the hood. For folks to comprehend the struggles, you yourself at one point, had to personally experience the struggles. For anyone to fully grasp the reality of this society that’s permeated with racial components, hate, extreme poverty, crimes, and lawless activities, you yourself had to be a part of those elements and that is what made Malcolm X different. He was a part of us cause he had once lived like us and thought like us. Ain’t no uppity ass house negro around here my nigga… If it wasn’t for Brother Minister Malcolm X, I swear on my words cuzz-​fuck it, no need to further elaborate.
Rest In Peace to my OG Malcolm X. There will NEVER be another like him!
FTHK FAMSK

Beautiful venue! I was here for a doll collection launch party. Upon entering the building I smiled immediately at the big, open space. Lovely pics of Malcolm & Betty Shabazz. The spiral type staircase leads upstairs to a beautiful big room. The murals on the walls, the paintings… everything was so very nice!