One hundred years after his birth and sixty years after his untimely death, Malcolm X still haunts the American consciousness. Malcolm X’s short life has been the subject of a posthumous autobiography by Alex Haley, several biographies and a biopic by director, Spike Lee. Yet the man, his philosophy, his life and his revolutionary rise from felon to icon - defy easy classification.

According to one book critic “Malcolm X still haunts and inspires this nation — in ways we often fail to understand.”

Now Mark Whitaker has put together the missing pieces to present a full and intriguing picture of the man’s life and legacy in The Afterlife of Malcolm X. Beginning with Malcolm Little’s origins in a childhood marred by racial discrimination in Nebraska and Michigan, Malcolm is 6 years old when his father is found dead; shortly after his mother ends up being institutionalized. Placed in various foster homes, Malcolm excels at school but is discouraged by his white teachers from becoming a lawyer. After dropping out in eight grade he ends up in Harlem in the world of drug use and petty crime and by the time he is 21, he is serving time in jail. But his secular descent eventually becomes his route to religious salvation when he discovers Islam, takes the name of Malcolm X and changes the course of American history.

Malcolm X’s iconic image and charismatic personality have amassed a cult-like following that has far outstripped the number of people who knew of him when he was alive. At times his politics have alternately been described as radical, traditional and everything in-between. But his eloquence and elegance, and his cool, hip style have stood the test of time. But who was the enigmatic Malcolm X – why was he murdered and by whom?

Author and journalist, Mark Whitaker helps us examine the amazing influence of the man, sixty years after his assassination as we evaluate Malcolm X’s enduring impact on American culture, politics and civil rights.

In May 2020, the death of George Floyd became a symbol of police brutality and triggered thousands of protests across the country and throughout the world. In Massachusetts, these events galvanized community action and helped accelerate statewide police reform and conversations on reimagining public safety.  Since then, local leaders have worked to sustain that momentum by organizing rallies, advancing policy, and forging new relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Today, local civic leaders and a police officer together consider the impact of a recent community rally and a police pledge, in their shared support for peace and justice.  

In partnership with: Dunk the Vote; Courageous Conversations Towards Racial Justice, Milton-Mattapan; Latino Law Enforcement Group of Boston (LLEGO Boston); Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts; Boston’s Higher Ground; Circle of Nations, Inc.; Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition (MAWOCC); Milton Access Television; Greater Love Tabernacle; Church of the Holy Spirit, Mattapan; Parkway Methodist Church, Milton; Milton for Peace; Milton Change Makers; Haymarket People’s Fund; The Commonwealth Seminar; Apex Rooftop Bar and Lounge; Boston Praise Radio & TV; MassNOW; National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC);

Karen Groce Horan is the Co-Founder of Courageous Conversations Towards Racial Justice, Milton-Mattapan, which holds events and dialogues related to racism, racial healing and positive systems change. Courageous Conversations was a lead organizer of the 2025 March and Rally for George and Justice. A consultant, Karen has worked in both the public and private sectors, championing the causes of equity, justice and environmental resilience. Her current efforts include overseeing environmental justice space for the Neponset River Watershed Association.

The Museum of African American History, Boston and Nantucket, in collaboration with GBH presents National Geographic Explorer in Residence Tara Roberts for an extraordinary evening as she shares the powerful journey behind her memoir, 'Written in the Waters: A Memoir of History, Home, and Belonging'.

When Tara first encountered a photograph of Black scuba divers exploring slave shipwrecks, she felt an undeniable pull to uncover their stories. That moment launched her on a global quest—she joined the underwater archeology group Diving With A Purpose and started a path of discovery more challenging and personal than she could have ever imagined. From the coasts of Senegal and South Africa to the waters of St. Croix and beyond, she confronted the Middle Passage's harrowing history while uncovering her roots and exploring what it means to belong.

Roberts dives into the depths of history, identity, and belonging. As the first Black female explorer to grace the cover of National Geographic and the 2022 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year, Tara’s work brings history to the surface—both literally and figuratively. Through deeply personal storytelling and historical reflection, she invites audiences to consider the resilience of the human spirit, the significance of remembrance, and the power of discovery.

Her journey also featured in the acclaimed National Geographic podcast Into the Depths, has captivated audiences worldwide. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Tara’s inspiring story firsthand.

A graduate of Mt. Holyoke College, Tara will receive an honorary doctorate from the college during their 2025 commencement ceremony May 25, 2025.

Join the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation for a talk with Luciano Bueno who explores how bold entrepreneurship is redefining the cotton industry through the lens of future-forward production.

From lab-grown breakthroughs to cutting-edge technologies, he shares how next-generation ventures are transforming the way we make things—faster, cleaner, and smarter. This isn’t just about cotton; it’s a glimpse into the industrial revolutions of tomorrow. Luciano will dive into the challenges, the untapped opportunities, and how entrepreneurial vision can lead to massive impacts.

Luciano Bueno is an American Brazilian entrepreneur who started his journey at 16, selling t-shirts door-to-door to support his family. Doing so he learned grit, hustle, and the art of turning no into yes. Today, he is the founder and CEO of GALY, a frontier tech company pioneering a new age of production through cellular agriculture. Starting with cotton, GALY’s process is 10x faster, 500x more productive, and 80% more resource efficient than production methods—creating new possibilities beyond the constraints of land, weather, or infrastructure.

250 years ago, the revolution that would lead to our country’s independence was in its early stages. The Continental Army was facing a major problem, gunpowder shortages. Join the Charles River Musuem for an exploration of how the production of saltpeter, the principal ingredient of this explosive material, changed the course of history.

This talk will explore the different ways saltpeter was manufactured by Americans, the wide variety of instructions that guided their efforts, and the motivations-both lofty and materialist-that drove them forward.

Presented by David Hsiung.

A native of the Chicago area, David C. Hsuing earned his B.A. from Yale, his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, and ever since has taught history at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.

Join us for a powerful and thought-provoking conversation with renowned interdisciplinary artist Dread Scott, recorded live at the Boston Public Library on the eve of Juneteenth 2025. In this event, part of BPL’s “Revolutionary Art” series, Dread Scott shares the stories behind his most iconic works—from flag-burning protests to large-scale reenactments of slave rebellions—and explores the role of art in confronting injustice, reimagining history, and inspiring liberation.

Moderated by Dr. Lizzie Cooper Davis, this conversation dives deep into themes of protest, freedom, Black joy, and the radical potential of art to shape the future.

Dread Scott is an interdisciplinary artist who for four decades has made work that encourages viewers to re-examine cohering ideals of American society. In 1989, the US Senate outlawed his artwork and President Bush declared it "disgraceful" because of its transgressive use of the American flag. Dread became part of a landmark Supreme Court case when he and others burned flags on the steps of the Capitol. He has presented a TED talk on this subject.