1. By Samantha Stevens

2.  His birthday is May 19, 1925  Was the seventh child in his family.  Grew up surrounded by poverty and violence.  When he was still young, his mother was proclaimed incompetent and put into a mental hospital.

3.  By the age of 13, he was sent to a juvenile detention home.  By 20, he had been sentenced to prison for 10 years.

4.  During the time spent in prison, he began reading history, philosophy, and religion.  Became Islamic  Changed his name.

5.  He became a part of the Nation of Islam.  This person quickly became a prominent speaker.  Was known for condemning white people as devils and believing that races should be separated.  He left when disagreements appeared between them and another man.

6.  He took a pilgrimage to Mecca  Many people there were white as well as other races.  While there, he realized that color made no difference in who a person is.

7.  Became an orthodox Muslim.  Changed their name again and founded the organization of Afro-American Unity.  Became a proud speaker against violence and for equality.  The Nation of Islam was strongly against them and sent them death threats.

8.  On February 21, 1965, while giving a speech, he was assassinated.  There were three alleged shooters, all of whom were actually members of the Nation of Islam.  He died at the age of 39.

9.  “Power never takes a step back, only in the face of more power.”  “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

10.  I chose this person because I found them to be an inspiration.  He spoke what he believed without caring what others thought.  And even though they had been through a lot and made some mistakes, in the end, he still tried to unite the world.