Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little in 1925, was a prominent African American civil rights activist and leader during the 1960s. He is known for his strong stance on racial equality and his advocacy for the rights of African Americans. Initially associated with the Nation of Islam, a black nationalist religious organization, Malcolm X later broke away from the group and adopted Sunni Islam.

Malcolm X was known for his powerful oratory skills and his message of self-defense and self-determination for black people. He criticized the nonviolent approach of the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr., advocating instead for black people to defend themselves against racist violence.

Malcolm X's autobiography, written with the help of Alex Haley, became a seminal work in black literature and is considered a classic of African American writing. His influence and legacy continue to be felt today, inspiring generations of activists in the fight for racial equality and social justice. Malcolm X was tragically assassinated in 1965 at the age of 39, but his impact on the civil rights movement and Black history is lasting and significant.