Kingston, Jamaica – The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, is set to honour the 100th anniversary of the birth of Malcolm X with a commemorative lecture celebrating the iconic civil rights leader’s enduring legacy. This event underscores UWI’s commitment to fostering dialogue on historical justice, racial equity, and Pan-African consciousness.
The lecture, titled “Celebrating the Legacy of Malcolm X: A Renowned Activist and Pan-African Champion”, will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the Multi-Functional Room, located near the Main Library on the Mona Campus. Open to the general public, the event invites students, academics, and members of the wider community to reflect on Malcolm X’s impact on the global struggle for Black empowerment.
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Rev. Kobi Little, a distinguished member of the Little family and a respected advocate for racial justice and social change, will serve as the keynote speaker. Rev. Little is known for his grassroots organizing and leadership within civil rights spaces in the United States, including his involvement with the NAACP and other community empowerment initiatives.
The evening’s proceedings will begin with opening remarks from several notable figures, including Michael Barnett, senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at UWI Mona. Dr. Barnett has long been a proponent of Afrocentric scholarship and is recognized for his work on Rastafari studies and Pan-Africanism. Also delivering remarks will be Steven Golding, president of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL) in Jamaica. Golding, the son of former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding, has championed causes related to African heritage and the legacies of Marcus Garvey and other Black liberation figures.
This centennial tribute to Malcolm X comes at a time of renewed global interest in his teachings and philosophy, especially among younger generations confronting contemporary issues of inequality, systemic racism, and cultural identity. Malcolm X—born Malcolm Little—remains a towering figure in the African diaspora, celebrated for his fearless advocacy, sharp intellect, and unyielding dedication to Black self-determination.
The lecture is part of a broader initiative at UWI Mona to highlight influential figures in the African-American and Pan-African movements whose lives and work continue to resonate across generations and borders.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend this timely and significant event as Jamaica joins the global community in paying tribute to one of the 20th century’s most influential voices for justice and liberation.
