Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, inspires STCC during Black History Month

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College capped off its celebration of Black History Month with an inspiring talk by Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz, an award-winning author, educator and producer.

Shabazz was greeted warmly by cheers and a standing ovation as she stepped up to the podium at Scibelli Hall on Feb. 29. She smiled broadly and noted she is one of “six tall, opinionated daughters” of the late activists Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz.

At STCC, Shabazz spoke of historical injustices and offered a message of empowerment and social change. She shared engaging personal stories about her parents and addressed larger themes of social justice, love and human rights.

“As we approach the end of Black History Month, I’d like to give praise to our ancestors, the refined, industrious men and women of African ancestry, Black, indigenous people of color, those who have not been properly honored in history, whose stories have been omitted and improperly documented,” she told an audience of STCC students, faculty, staff and the greater Springfield community gathered in the gymnasium.

Shabazz spoke of the extraordinary challenges her parents faced as activists in the 1960s. She said in 1965, a firebomb was thrown into the nursery where she and her sisters slept as babies while her parents slept in their bedroom. A week later, her father was assassinated in a ballroom in Manhattan. She was 2 years old and with her mother and sisters while the tragedy unfolded.

“My pregnant mother placed her entire body over my three sisters and me to protect us from gunfire and to make sure we would not see the terror before our eyes,” Shabazz said.

Shabazz said her mother radiated hope and resilience despite witnessing her husband’s assassination when she was 29 years old.

(My mother) kept her husband’s essence, his love, values and humanity integral in our household. Ilyasah Shabazz, Daughter of the late Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz

“Sister Betty never gave in to bitterness or despair,” Shabazz said. “Even though as a young wife and mother, many would believe that she had every right. But had my mother become a victim after witnessing and enduring such a loss, I would not be standing here with you today.”

Shabazz said after the loss of her father, her mother remained steadfast in her determination to protect her husband’s legacy and keep his memory alive in the family home.

“She kept her husband’s essence, his love, values and humanity integral in our household,” Shabazz said. “She did not want her six daughters to suffer from the sudden loss of our father’s physical presence and love, and though he was physically absent my mother made sure her husband remained present in our household conversations for as long as I can remember.”

Dr. Kiyota Garcia, assistant vice president of Student Affairs and interim chief equity officer, said she was thrilled that STCC was able to close out Black History Month with a talk by Shabazz.

Garcia said the event reflected STCC’s “unwavering learning opportunities for our students, faculty, staff and the greater Springfield community.”

“The Diversity Speaker and Performance Series is more than just an event. It’s an opportunity to broaden our perspective and enrich our lives,” Garcia said.

Speaking after the event, Sharay Salters, a business transfer student at STCC, said Shabazz was inspiring and motivating.

“After listening to Dr. Shabazz, I realized the importance of owning who you are and doing the self-work. If you start on yourself then you can begin to work outwardly to be the change that you want to see,” Salters said.

Another student, Lex Frye, who studies graphics design, said she enjoyed the event and was grateful that STCC was able to host Shabazz.

“As a young Black woman, I appreciated her coming out and speaking with us and pouring positivity into us,” Frye said. “It’s definitely what we needed. She seemed very sweet and open to sharing her stories and her knowledge. I’m just very appreciative.”

Shabazz is chairperson of the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center Board of Trustees. In her work to preserve the legacy of her parents, she has dedicated herself to institution-building and intergenerational leadership development with the tenets of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Her books include a memoir, “Growing Up X,” and a children’s book, “Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X.”

As president and founder of Ilyasah Shabazz Enterprises, she produces a variety of forums dedicated to power, possibility and sovereignty.

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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