Community residents and elected officials gathered over the weekend to celebrate the designation of a five-mile tract of roadway along Crenshaw Boulevard as “Malcolm X Route”.
“This five-mile stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard pays homage to the legacy of Malcolm X who dedicated his life to Black empowerment and pride,” said L.A. City Councilwoman Heather Hutt, who was one of those spearheading the initiative along with Torre Brannon-Reese of Famli, who led the petition drive.
“Our hopes,” said Hutt, “are when you see the sign in honor of Malcolm X, it will foster a sense of pride and belonging amongst those in this community, and learning for others… Because this area of the city primarily consists of the Black/African community, the route will intersect with the Rosa Parks Freeway, Obama Blvd, Martin Luther King Blvd [and] Sankofa Park as well as Nipsey Hussle Square.”
Specifically, Malcolm X Route starts at the I-10 extending south along Crenshaw Boulevard to West 79th Street.
Among the officials turning out for the unveiling ceremony were Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Assemblymember Isaac Bryan.
“It is just as appropriate that we honor Malcolm X with this signage just as it is appropriate that we continue to fight for economic justice, self-determination, generational wealth-building and expanded access to educational spaces,” Kamlager-Dove remarked.