Malcolm X’s Early Life and Transformation

Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, in Omaha,

Nebraska, to Reverend Earl Little and Louise Little. His father was a

strong advocate of Black self-determination, a stance that made the family a target of white racist

violence. As a teenager, Malcolm dropped out of school and became immersed

in street life. At 20, he was convicted of burglary and sentenced to prison.

It was there that he transformed—educating himself, developing discipline, and encountering

the teachings of the Nation of Islam. Upon his release in 1952, Malcolm rose quickly,

becoming one of the most powerful voices in Black America under the leadership of Elijah