The Office of Council District 10 in partnership with the Foundation for Arts, Mentorship, Leadership, and Innovation took a historic step in cementing the legacy of civil rights icon Malcolm X by unveiling street signs co-naming a five-mile stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard as the Malcolm X Route.
The ceremony, held on Saturday, May 17, at the corner of Crenshaw and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevards in Leimert Park, kicked off a daylong tribute in celebration of what would have been Malcolm X’s 100th birthday.
Councilwoman Heather Hutt led the initiative and stood front and center during the unveiling. “He was a truth-teller, unafraid to speak uncomfortable truths,” she proclaimed.
“His dedication to human rights transcends borders, connecting the American struggle to the global movements for social justice,” she continued.
While the route was officially co-named in 2023, marked by a ceremony featuring Congresswoman Maxine Waters, this 2025 event marked the full-scale dedication of all street signage along the five-mile stretch.
The renaming stretches from the 10 Freeway to 79th Street, cutting through South L.A. neighborhoods that still reflect the spirit of Malcolm X, communities shaped by his enduring messages of racial justice, self-determination, and unity.
Along the route, the Malcolm X Way intersects with several significant landmarks, including Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, a major east-west thoroughfare; Obama Boulevard, renamed in 2019 to honor the nation’s first Black president; and Nipsey Hussle Square at the intersection of Crenshaw and Slauson, which commemorates the late rapper and community visionary.
The ceremony brought together city leaders, neighborhood councils, grassroots organizers, and legacy keepers.
Torrence Brannon-Reese, founder of FAMLI, Inc., urged attendees to channel Malcolm’s legacy into action. “The reason that we talked to the brothers about Malcolm is because Malcolm did not go to high school. Malcolm went to the eighth grade, and after that, the death of his father caused his life to change tremendously,” he said. “I have young brothers right now who are young Malcolms coming up, whose lives are in need of help right now.”
With just one breath the tone shifted from commemoration to call-to-action. “I’m calling for every brother who says anything about social justice, anything about racism, anything about Trump and Elon Musk to join with us, to mentor young Black and brown boys who need our help right now. Otherwise, shut your mouth. Don’t complain. Get involved.”
During the 2023 ceremonies Congresswoman Maxine Waters said she knew Malcolm X and that he fought for the dignity and equality of Black people. “He said you are important, you are special, you are to be respected, and you are to fight for it.”
Crenshaw Boulevard now bears the name Malcolm X, a five-mile stretch that honors his lifelong fight for Black empowerment and pride. At its intersection with Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, two civil rights giants meet in geography and legacy. This is a reclaimed narrative.
Following the unveiling, the 33rd Annual Malcolm X Festival transformed Leimert Park into a community-wide celebration featured live music, spoken word, food, fashion, and educational panels. With the theme “Human Rights, By Any Means Necessary,” the event honored Malcolm X in memory and in motion, drawing hundreds of attendees.
