6 Children of Civil Rights Leaders Who Are Creating Their Own Legacies

While the forefathers who shepherded us through a tumultuous period of human and civil rights were changing the nation to be more suitable for their descendants, those same children were being raised to leave their own indelible impression on the world. Here are six children, that you may not know spawned from civil rights leaders, who are creating their own legacies. Attallah Shabazz Attallah Shabazz, 56, of New York, is one of six children of leader Malcolm X (1925-1965) and wife Betty Shabazz (1934-1997). She was 6 years old when her father was assassinated in the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem. Admittedly, she remembers that day, but what she holds on to for comfort is her father teaching her the importance of her own voice. Shabazz realized she has her father's oration skills during a speaking engagement in Panama in 1979, "I don't remember much of what I said, but it must have been OK, because when I sat down a Panamanian official leaned over and whispered approvingly, 'You're going to be just like him,' she said. This jolted me into realizing that people are not going to let me forget who I am." She didn't feel overwhelmed by this calling, however, she felt illuminated by it, "I am not under a shadow," she said. "I'm under a light." Attallah has chosen to let her light shine both academically and artistically to preserve the values of education and self-actualization that her father faithfully preached. She is an actress, theatrical director, producer and lecturer. Photo: TheGrio Ilyasah Shabazz Ilyasah Shabazz, 51, of New York, is the third daughter of leader Malcolm X (1925-1965) and Betty Shabazz (1934-1997). She was just 2 years old when her father was killed. Ilyasah is a public speaker and author who penned the memoir, "Growing Up X." Spike Lee referred to her book as a compelling, lyrical coming-of-age story as well as a moving tribute to her parents. “I think that people have this expectation of his children and especially they have their own image or their own perception of who they think El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, Malcolm X, is and depending on that, that is what they expect of us.” Despite heavy expectations, Ilyasah is steadfast in her desire to make sure her father’s story is not forgotten. She does so by promoting interfaith dialogue and nurturing young leaders of the world through her initiative, The WAKE-UP Tour, that is a platform for empowering youth. Photo: spystarsnet.com James Van Evers A little-known fact about veteran civil rights leader Medgar Evers (1925-1963) is that he carried his camera with him almost everywhere he went. Although his son James Van Evers, 54, of Jackson, Mississippi, did not pick up his father’s torch of activism, he did pick up his love for photography. James has made a name for himself as a successful commercial photographer, working in still photography for television shows, editorials and portraits. He is currently the official photographer for the Tavis Smiley Show on PBS. He says of first realizing his love of capturing images as a young boy: "I looked through the camera and took a picture and it was magic. I could frame a life in that lens." Photo: NPR.org Reena Evers Everette Reena, 58, of Jackson, Mississippi, is one of three children of Medgar (1925-1963) Myrlie Evers (1933-). She is a graduate of New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, with a degree in business merchandising. Reena maintained a successful 30-year career as a communications representative for domestic and international companies. She is currently a traveling speaker and the executive director for the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute, a national organization based in Jackson, Miss., that is continuing the vision of Medgar Evers through education and civic engagement programs. Reena often cites these words of her father as her continued inspiration; “Although great strides in the field of human relations have been made, we cannot let up now.” Photo: walkingdead.wikia.com Donzaleigh Abernathy Donzaleigh Abernathy, 56, of Los Angeles, is the daughter of Ralph Abernathy (1926-1990), longtime friend, advisor and aide to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Donzaleigh is an actress, producer, director and writer. Her work ranges from publishing a civil rights movement coffee table pictorial, "Partners to History: Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph David Abernathy, and the Civil Rights Movement," to starring in films such as Miss Evers’ Boys, Ghost Dad and Murder in Mississippi. Photo: hurt2healingmag.com Ishmael Muhammad Minister Ishmael Muhammad, 50, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is one of 21 children born to Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad (1897,1975). His mother is Tynetta Muhammad, journalist and self-proclaimed widow of Elijah. Ishmael is the Nation of Islam national assistant minister to its leader Louis Farrakhan. Ishmael is projected to be Farrakhan’s likely successor as indicated by his presence on the Nation of Islam’s national stage at the 2013 Holy Day of Atonement event. Ishmael was asked to deliver the keynote address in Farrakhan’s absence. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org http://www.answers.com http://www.jacksonfreepress.com http://nhpr.org/post http://jvephoto.com

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