ILYASAH AL SHABAZZ – Third daughter of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, is an educator, social activist, motivational speaker, and author of award winning publications: (1) Growing Up X (Random House) a coming of age memoir; (2) Malcolm Little (Simon & Schuster), a children’s illustration book and (3) X, A Novel (Candlewick Press) a young adult historical fiction.

Ilyasah promotes higher education for at-risk youth, interfaith dialogue to build bridges between cultures for young leaders of the world, and she participates on international humanitarian delegations. Ilyasah produced training programs to encourage higher education sanctioned by City University of New York’s Office of Academic Affairs. She served for twelve years on the Executive Youth Board for the City of Mount Vernon, including appointments as Director of Public Relations, Director of Public Affairs & Special Events, and later promoted to Director of Cultural Affairs. She is a member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at West Virginia University. She is a mentor for Nile Rogers’ We Are Family Foundation. She mentors at various group homes, lock-up facilities, high schools and college campuses through production of The WAKE-UP Tour™ X-Tra Credit Forums—her exclusive youth empowerment program.

Ilyasah has retraced her father’s footsteps to the Holy City of Mecca, explored religious and historical sites in both Egypt and Jordan as the guest of HRH Princess Alia Hussein, participated in interfaith dialogue study programs under Rabbi Nancy Kreimer and Dr. Aziza Al Hibri, and served as member of the American Interfaith Leadership delegation that participated with the Malaria No More Foundation in Mali, West Africa. Ilyasah also served as a member of the United States delegation that accompanied President Bill Clinton to South Africa to commemorate election of President Nelson Mandela and the economic business development initiative.

Ilyasah serves as Trustee for the Harlem Symphonic Orchestra, The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center, and The Malcolm X Foundation. She is a member of the Arts Committee for the New York City Opera at Lincoln Center and a project advisor for the PBS award-winning Prince Among Slaves documentary. She holds a Master of Science in Education & Human Resource Development from Fordham University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from SUNY/New Paltz. Ilyasah is currently an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and resides in Westchester County, New York.
For further information, please contact, Dr. Jamal Watson, at jamal@ilyasahshabazz.com

www.ilyasahshabazz.com

http://Twitter.com/ilyasahshabazz

X: A NOVEL, Candlewick Press. (1/2015)

MALCOLM LITTLE, Simon & Schuster. (1/2014)

GROWING UP X, Random House. (1/2002)