Happy Birthday, Malcolm X: our shining Black prince would have been 93 today

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To celebrate what would have been Black nationalist Malcolm X’s 93^rd birthday, activists, comrades and relatives are coming together to salute the Civil Rights leader’s contributions to the Black community on a global level.

Malcolm X’s birthday still isn’t recognized as a national holiday in the U.S., but that hasn’t stopped New York City grassroots activists from recognizing May 19 as Malcolm X Day for the past 53 years.

This morning, a caravan of vehicles gathered at the corner of 126^thStreet and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, and then made their way to Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York, where Malcolm X and his beloved wife, Betty Shabazz, are buried. Malcolm X’s sister and Organization of Afro-American Unity President Ella Collins started the 83-year-old tradition.

READ MORE: New Malcolm X documentary unearths riveting footage of legendary leader

Later in the evening, Malcolm X’s daughters Ilyasah and Malaak Shabazz are expected to take the stage and reflect on the legacy of their parents at the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Educational and Memorial Center on Broadway, according to the Amsterdam News.

Others are celebrating hero’s born day by attempting to force businesses along 125^th Street to shut down from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., according to D12.com.

Malcolm X was assassinated at age 39 on February 21, 1965, having been struck 16 times by a hail of bullets. He was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m.