Reflecting on the 100th Birthday of Malcolm X

On May 19, 2025, we commemorate the 100th birthday of el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, most commonly known as Malcolm X. A visionary leader before his tragic assassination in 1965, X’s legacy continues to inspire people facing social injustice across the globe. His story and words have left a powerful testament explored in many books, films, and documentaries since his passing. 

I was about ten when my dad showed me a copy of The Autobiography of Malcolm X and said it was a book that every Black man should read. I immediately tried to dive into it but was too young to comprehend the text and grapple with the depth of subjects that arise in the book. It wasn't until high school and again in college, that I was able to really sit with The Autobiography of Malcolm X. The autobiography, co-written with Alex Haley and posthumously released in 1965, is considered the most comprehensive account of X's life. It takes readers from X's childhood in Michigan to his rise as one of the world's most influential figures in the 1960s. The vivid first-person narration brings readers into the perspective of X at these different points in his life. I've heard many people describe the impact The Autobiography of Malcolm X had on them. One common theme described is the drastic transformation that occurs from X's life as a street hustler to his leadership role in the Nation of Islam, departure from the organization, and pilgrimage to Mecca. 

Through X's story, we see the pain that is both necessary for and often a product of growth. For example, X's imprisonment led to his embarkment on a quest for knowledge and spiritual transformation. In college, an English professor of mine assigned reading from an excerpt of The Autobiography of Malcolm X titled, "Learning to Read". In the excerpt, X describes teaching himself to read in prison by copying from a dictionary. He states, "I could for the first time pick up a book and read and now begin to understand what the book was saying. Anyone who has read a great deal can imagine the new world that opened... In fact, up to then, I never had been so truly free in my life." From this brief but powerful quote, we see the significant shift in X's outlook during that time. As much as we learn about the positive aspects of transformation in X's life, The Autobiography of Malcolm X also recounts the resistance he faced separating from the organization that changed his life and in which he changed the lives of countless others. As X separated from the Nation of Islam, he faced hostile intimidation and remained a controversial figure in the mainstream press. Despite a more universal lens and willingness to work with leaders across organizations, X faced backlash for speaking truth to power.

On the 100th birthday of Malcolm X, we have an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the legacy of a man that continues to be felt 60 years after his passing. As a leader, he fearlessly advocated for the causes of his people at a time when society relegated their sufferings to the margins. He demonstrated a journey of self-transformation that inspires people overcoming incarceration, addiction, and other struggles. Anytime I hear one of his speeches or interviews, the conviction in his voice alone inspires me to lead a life of purpose. Malcom X consistently spoke his truth no matter how uncomfortable that truth made others feel. We can only imagine what further impact Malcolm X would have made had his life not been tragically cut short at age 39. What's for certain, is that there is a lot to be learned from the life and legacy he left behind. Let us continue to uphold the memory of Malcom X and other leaders whose powerful life stories can enrich our own. 

Four Days in Denver

For Thanksgiving, I took a trip to Denver, Colorado with my brother and cousin. We spent four days exploring the city and taking in the sights. Our main reason for traveling was to see the last home game for the University of Colorado Buffaloes. The trip included some stunning views, great food, and thrilling surprises. In this blog, I will provide a glimpse into our journey to the Mile High City.

Arrival

We arrived at Denver International Airport on Thanksgiving Day. The airport is the largest in North America and ranked one of the busiest airports in the world. Despite its enormity, we had a fairly simple time maneuvering to our Uber pickup spot. The ride to our Airbnb was about 25 minutes and allowed us to get a first taste of the breathtaking landscape. The area recently experienced snow and the Rocky Mountains stood tall in the distance. We stayed in the Highland neighborhood at the Sonder at Skyline. The neighborhood was very walkable with plenty of shops and restaurants. Furthermore, it was within walking distance of Empower Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos.

Arriving on the Thanksgiving holiday, there was not much open. Fortunately, we brought some food my mom graciously prepared before we left. We did have a chance to explore the neighborhood and walk toward the South Platte River, which offered a nice view of the Denver skyline. After a long day of traveling, we rested in anticipation of game day at the University of Colorado Boulder. 

A shot from our scenic ride to Boulder

Game Day in Boulder 

The Colorado Buffaloes took on the Oklahoma State Cowboys for their last game of the regular season. It was an early kickoff at 10am on Friday. We had an early start and took a 30-minute ride to Folsom Field in Boulder, which offered some more enjoyable mountain views. We arrived at the campus early, so we took the time to briefly explore the city of Boulder. We got some breakfast and made our way back to the stadium in time to see warmups and the senior day festivities. Folsom Field is unlike any other sports venue I have seen. The stadium sits on a hill and offers a scenic view of the Flatirons and foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It was a brisk morning, and snow decorated the stands throughout the sections of the stadium. You could feel the energy of the game building before the first kickoff. We were able to witness Ralphie the Buffalo, the team's mascot, run around the field to introduce the home team. It was exciting to experience the atmosphere of one of college football's top-ranked programs. The Buffaloes showed out for their last home game winning 52-0 with exceptional performances from quarterback, Shadeur Sanders, and Heisman winner, Travis Hunter. I would definitely recommend checking out a game at Folsom Field. Be sure to come prepared if you attend later in the season. The stadium offers a lot of amenities, including Balch Fieldhouse, which provides a warm refuge during halftime with a variety of concessions. 

Our view of the CU game

A rooftop view of Boulder

After the game, we did some more exploring in Boulder. We walked toward Pearl Street Mall, a four-block pedestrian mall bustling with shops and restaurants. We stumbled across Avanti Food and Beverage, a modern food court, with an awesome rooftop terrace. After taking in the views, we bid farewell to Boulder. On our way back to Denver, we made a pit stop in Broomfield to try Outlaw Wings. The restaurant boasts an extensive menu of wing flavors including Blueberry, which was a first for me. We also tried the Buffalo and as North Carolinians, we had to try the Carolina BBQ. The wings were top-notch and for dessert, we tried the fried Oreos. After the grub, we headed back to Denver exhausted but satisfied after a day filled with food and football. 

Buffalo and Blueberry Wings

Red Rocks and Brunch with a Hoops Legend

On Saturday morning, we made our way to downtown for brunch. The restaurant we planned to check out had a long wait time, so we went to a nearby spot called The Delectable Egg. The food was delicious. I tried their Rooster's Suprise, with bacon, eggs, and a short stack of pancakes. While eating, we noticed NBA superstar, Russell Westbrook, enter the restaurant to place an order. My brother, cousin, and I are huge basketball fans, so it was surreal to see the future Hall of Famer currently playing for the Denver Nuggets. My cousin went up to him and asked if we could grab pictures. He was gracious and even offered my cousin who plays college basketball some advice. It was a good reminder that unexpected detours can lead to extraordinary destinations. 

My brother and cousin with NBA legend, Russell Westbrook

After brunch, we visited Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, about ten miles outside Denver. The name, which speaks for itself, aptly describes the open-air venue surrounded by natural sandstone formations. The stage has been graced by music royalty like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Wonder. Even without its historical presence, the venue evokes a certain level of awe from its appearance alone. Quite a few people were out exploring the park and its trails, which had some spectacular views. We hiked around the venue and descended the steps toward the stage. I looked out at the view from the stage and tried to imagine what it would be like to be a performer. As a huge fan of music, I will definitely have to check out a show at Red Rocks one day to see the venue at its liveliest. 

A view of the Red Rocks stage

Adventures Downtown

With it being our last full day in Denver, we wanted to head back downtown to see more of the city. We stopped by the Denver Central Market, a food hall, in the River North Arts District (RiNo). We decided to try Vero Italian, which had some delicious brick-oven pizza. For dessert, I had some ice cream from High Point Creamery (I couldn't proceed without shouting out my hometown High Point, NC! Although it has nothing to do with the creamery lol). After eating, we walked around and looked at some of the many murals in RiNo. They definitely added a unique character to that section of the city. 

One of my favorite murals in RiNo

After walking some more, we noticed the Colorado State Capitol in the distance. The historic building faces the similarly regal Denver City Hall. While walking toward it, we noticed a large crowd of people walking to a park across the street. It looked like they were walking to some sort of festival. It turned out to be the Denver Christkindlmarket, an annual German-style holiday market. We perused the many stands in the market, while also admiring the stunning sunset over the capitol building. I tried the Glühwein, a traditional hot wine drink. It was tasty and definitely appreciated on a cold day. 

Awesome sunset over the Colorado State Capitol

Glühwein in the festive mug

A Delightful Farewell

Our flight was scheduled to leave late Sunday, so we decided to explore more of the city with our remaining hours. We made our way to Lower Downtown (LoDo) to check out some more sights, including Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies. We were able to peer inside the gates for a look at the ballpark. We also checked out Ball Arena, home of the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche.  Next, we ventured to the Cherry Creek neighborhood, which is located toward the center of the city. We had a chance to briefly stroll through Cherry Creek Shopping Center. The mall seemed very upscale and had many of the well-known luxury stores. We capped off our time with a meal at North Italia, an Italian restaurant in Cherry Creek, which has other locations nationally. I tried the house special, Bolognese, which was delicious. After our time in Cherry Creek, it was time to grab our luggage and head to the airport after a jam-packed memorable four days in Denver! I'm definitely looking forward to returning to Denver one day soon. If you have any recommendations in Denver or other parts of Colorado, feel free to let me know. Thanks for reading! 

"I love Denver" sign from the holiday festival