Malcolm X House

Awardees: Project We Hope, Dream, and Believe; Wayne State University, Department of Anthropology

The rehabilitation and archaeological documentation of the Malcolm X House

Civil Rights leader Malcolm X lived in this house with his brother’s family from 1952 to 1953. It was during this time that Malcolm Little first met Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam, and was conferred with the “X,” rising to become one of the leaders of the Black social justice movement of the 1950s and ’60s. Over the decades, the house fell on hard times, leading it to be marked for demolition. After a multi-year effort, the house was removed from the demolition list, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and a substantial rehabilitation project is now underway.

Led by the non-profit Project We Hope, Dream, and Believe, the house is being transformed into a museum that will focus on the life and significance of Malcolm X, advocacy, and as a youth learning center. A partnership with the Wayne State University Anthropology Program was established to conduct archaeological studies on the Inkster property, yielding hundreds of 20th century artifacts. The project has been embraced by the community who support the effort and have been getting involved every step of the way.

Despite his transient life, few of the places Malcolm resided remain standing today. Although vacant for several years, the form and structure of the modest house are largely intact as it was when the Littles lived here. The rehabilitation project is expected to be completed in 2024 as an important Inkster destination and place of learning in the community.

Malcolm X House

Awardees: Project We Hope, Dream, and Believe; Wayne State University, Department of Anthropology

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