Travels from New York, New York, USA
Ilyasah Shabazz's speaking fee falls within range: $10,000 to $15,000
“When you educate a girl, you raise a nation,” says ILYASAH SHABAZZ.
She is an inspirational role model and advocate for women and girl empowerment. Her lifework is devoted to helping others find inner strength and purpose. While she is frequently asked to speak about the legacy of Malcolm X, she shares that it is her mother Dr. Betty Shabazz’s wisdom, courage and compassion that guide her.
Ilyasah is an educator, activist, motivational speaker, and author of four award-winning publications: Growing Up X (Random House 2002) a coming of age memoir; Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X (Simon & Schuster 2014) a children’s illustration book; X, a Novel (Candlewick Press 2015) a young adult historical fiction, and her newest release, Betty Before X (MacMillan 2018) a middle school historical fiction. She has received two NAACP Image Awards, Walter Dean Myers Honor, Library of Congress Inaugural Award, American Library Association Coretta Scott King Honor, and has been long listed for The National Book Award.
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 for the City University of New York Office of Academic Affairs. She served twelve years where she was raised in the city of Mount Vernon, New York on the Executive Youth Board, and served 12-year appointments as Director of Public Relations, Director of Public Affairs & Special Events, and Director of Cultural Affairs. She mentors at Nile Rogers’ We Are Family Foundation, group homes, lock-up facilities, high schools and college campuses through production of her exclusive production, The Wake-UP TourTM.
Ilyasah retraced her father’s footsteps to the Holy City of Mecca, explored religious and historical sites in Egypt and Jordan as the guest of 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 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 a Trustee for the Harlem Symphony 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 PBS award-winning Prince Among Slaves documentary. She holds Master of Science in Education & Human Resource Development from Fordham University; Bachelors of Science in Biology from SUNY/New Paltz; and is currently an adjunct professor at John Jay College for Criminal Justice in New York City.
- Malcolm X Shabazz: The Man and Father Away from the Podium - Positively You! - Celebrating Culture: Around the World and Back - Heritage: Embracing Your Legacy: "Everyone Has One" - Melting Pot: Multi Cultural Diplomacy / Multi-National Patriotism
“It has been over a year and students, faculty, and staff still talk about Ilyasah Shabazz’s visit to Montgomery College. Whether she discussed the enormous contributions of both her parents, her own accomplishments as a writer and educator, or contemporary events, Ms. Shabazz captivated the hundreds of students who were in attendance. What I still hear from faculty and students is their appreciation that Ms. Shabazz took the time to meet individually with so many. I am quite certain that at a school like ours that is so diverse, Ms. Shabazz’s words of encouragement, especially to our African American female students, will have a long lasting impact. I am so thankful for the opportunity to bring Ms. Shabazz to Montgomery College and give my students an experience of a lifetime.” – Montgomery College
“llyasah’s visit was a joy. Those who came to the event are still talking about how powerful she is in her own right. There is already talk of bringing her back.” – Indiana University South Bend
“Ilyasah was a delight and brought amazing energy to our campus and event. It was a blessing to our group and something people will be talking about for quite some time. We had a record turnout (or at least more than we have had in a long time) and students stood in (a long!) line waiting to buy books and take pictures. All of the books sold out, and it appeared that she also enjoyed herself with our community.” – Stony Brook University in New York
“Girl Power was a great success! Students, teachers and staff were honored to be in the presence of Ms. Shabazz. Not only did our youth take away powerful information—the adults and presenters were inspired as well.” – Cleveland Public Library
“We had a really excellent tour with Ilyasah, and it was such a pleasure to travel with her. She is so skilled at adapting each conversation to fit the needs of the community and audience, and I really loved seeing her conversations unfold with the facilitator and audience.” – Michigan Humanities Council
“The event was great. Our students loved her.” – Auburn University
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X: A Novel
Malcolm Little’s parents have always told him that he can achieve anything, but from what he can tell, that’s a pack of lies. There’s no point in trying, he figures, and lured by the nightlife of Boston and New York, he escapes into a world of fancy suits, jazz, girls, and reefer. But Malcolm’s efforts to leave the past behind lead him into increasingly dangerous territory. X follows the boy who would become Malcolm X from his childhood to his imprisonment for theft at age twenty, when he found the faith that would lead him to forge a new path and command a voice that still resonates today.
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