The civil rights leader, Malcolm X, was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925. According to a press release, the scholarship search app Scholly announced the launch of the Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz Scholarship Fund to celebrate the activist’s 96th birthday. The Shabazz Center, which facilitates thought exchange around racial equity, justice, and cultural production, in the spirit of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, partnered with Scholly to offer three $10,000 scholarships to students who are pursuing higher education.
The scholarship page explained
that the funding offer will be for students who are currently enrolled at any college or university, or students who will be attending college in 2021-2022. Social justice leaders and change agents who want to use their education for the advancement of equity and justice are being sought as applicants.“If you are a currently enrolled in college or will be attending college in 2021-2022 and your passions align with this mission, then apply now! Please note, after you complete this brief form, you’ll be asked to respond to a short essay question,” directions on the website stated.
“Malcolm X and his wife Betty Shabazz are icons of the civil rights movement so the Scholly team is excited to be a part of this program to help empower even more students,” Scholly CEO Christopher Gray said in the press release. “Also to announce such a program on Malcolm X’s birthday is a great way to honor his legacy.”
Ilyasah Shabazz—one of Malcolm X’s and Dr. Betty Shabazz’s daughters—said that she wanted to create the scholarship program to honor her parents’ commitment to education and empowerment of people of color.
“The opportunity to support young developing leaders and change-makers through the Scholly Scholarship in partnership with The Shabazz Center is such a rewarding investment that equally honors the lasting legacy of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz,” Ilyasah said in the press release.
PIX11 recalled that Malcolm
X’s life was cut short when he was gunned down 56 years ago inside the Audubon Ballroom in Washington Heights at just 39 years old. According to the news report, his family is holding a free livestream event on Malcolm X’s birthday at 6 p.m. featuring performances by Anthony Hamilton, Alice Smith, and others. Visit this link to obtain more details. You may click here to learn more about the scholarship. The deadline to apply is July 15, 2021.