Convened by the Brooklyn Malcolm X 100th Birthday Committee (BKMX100c), community leaders and staff representing elected officials, gathered on Tuesday, December 16th to strategize about moving the project forward. Attendees were of a unified purpose to change the name of the current Utica Ave A-train subway station and to build a plaza with a statue above ground, all to honor Malcolm X.
Recently a similar project was unveiled at the 110th St. subway station located in Harlem, served by the 2 and 3 train lines. Global Wealth clothing store owner and BKMX100c Co-Chair Sunny McMullen along with Chair Kazembe Batts, welcomed participants to a focused planning session before the holiday season to keep the momentum for the project going.
Senator Zellnor Myrie sent his Director of Community Affairs Khallid Jemmott to represent. He updated and described the status of bill S7764. The bill is currently under committee review and will be deliberated during the upcoming legislative session in Albany scheduled for January.
Khallid said his presence signified Senator Myrie’s continued support for his bill that directs the MTA to change the name of the Utica Ave subway station. He also handed out a “How A Bill Becomes A Law” pamphlet, while urging the community to follow the bill on-line and the need for the community to keep up the pressure.
Cooperation and collaboration were in the room as possibilities were discussed. Fulton St. is the border between Senator Zellnor Myrie and Jabari Brisport’s respective districts. David Lopez represented Senator Brisport during the meeting and shared that Jabari’s office is thoroughly behind the community effort to uplift Malcolm X and is supporting relevant efforts moving forward.
Although not represented at the planning meeting, Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman was acknowledged for having already provided leadership on the issue and getting her bill A6617a passed earlier this year. Attendees discussed the need to synchronize and expand the scope of these two bills.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams was represented by Gina C. Williams and Anthony Duran, two of his Community Affairs Advocates. Ms. Williams, from the Bronx, offered advice on how some big projects Uptown were completed.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso sent his trusted advisor Alexis Rodriguez. Having previously met with the BKMX100c, Mr. Rodriguez fulfilled a request and shared information on ownership of the land that could make up the Malcolm X Plaza.
Travelling all the way from Harlem by Access-a-Ride, Malcolm X’s daughter Malaak Shabazz arrived at the Laundromat Project just as the meeting was getting started. Malaak thanked the community for their efforts, while sharing history about efforts around the city going back 40 years.
Dr. Betty Shabazz, her Mom, should always be mentioned as standing next to her father, she reminded the planners. Dawn Jones, board member of the National Action Network and close friend of Malaak, told the meeting about her efforts to help the cause by mobilizing NAN’s political Action Committee, sharing petitions and speaking on the radio. 3D’s community leader Rocky Freeman and Rhonda Valdez-James shared their lived experiences and how celebrating Malcolm X would be beneficial to the community. Rocky spoke directly to Malaak about how the legacy of her father inspired him while he was incarcerated.
This Brooklyn Malcolm X 100th Birthday Project meeting was held at the offices of the Laundromat Project, a twenty-year cultural institution. Not only did the laundromat Project provide space to meet but their leadership Executive Director Ayesha Williams and Catherine Johnson provided insightful advice on fundraising and networking with other potential community, cultural, historic, partners.
Committee chairs Sunny and Kazembe conveyed their enthusiasm regarding the opportunity to leverage the expertise of the Laundromat Project in the upcoming year. After about two hours the meeting wound down. Follow-up meetings will take place in January. A tentative goal of May 19th, 2026, Malcolm X’s 101st birthday, was set to at a minimum change the name of the station but also to have concrete plans for a statue and plaza, all in honor of Malcolm X.
