Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska, was an African-American revolutionary, minister, and civil rights activist influenced by his family's civil rights involvement. After his father’s death and his mother's hospitalization, he and his six siblings entered foster care. He became involved in crimes and was imprisoned for ten years, where he was inspired to read, and joined the Nation of Islam (NOI).

In 1964, he left the NOI due to disillusionment with its leader and later formed his own organization and held meetings at the Audubon Ballroom in Washington Heights.

He was assassinated on February 21, 1965, at the Audubon Ballroom. His funeral was at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ on February 27, 1965, where Ossie Davis gave his eulogy. Malcolm was buried in the Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.