Mal ‧ colm X /ˌmælkəm ˈeks/ BrE AmE
(1925–65) a African-American leader in the US who worked to improve the social and economic position of African Americans. He became a member of the ↑ Black Muslim s in 1952, and spoke publicly about the need for African Americans to live separately from white Americans, and he encouraged them to use violence to protect themselves. In 1964, he left the Black Muslims and established the Organization of Afro-American Unity. He was murdered in 1965 while making a speech in Harlem, New York City.