A Conversation with Ilyasah Shabazz

She is Chairperson of the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center Board of Trustees. In her work to preserve the legacy of her parents, she has dedicated herself to institution-building and intergenerational leadership development with the tenants of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Shabazz has furthered her community impact with the City University of New York’s Office of Academic Affairs, where she created curriculum to encourage higher education for underserved, inner-city, and marginalized high school dropouts. She has worked with the Office of the Mayor in Mount Vernon as Director of Public Affairs & Special Events. She founded and produced a young adult development program to provide historical context on social justice, encouraging personal empowerment and community service as a way of life. As president and founder of Ilyasah Shabazz Enterprises, she produces a variety of forums dedicated to power, possibility, and sovereignty.

Dr. Shabazz is a member of the Soar Higher Cabinet Committee for SUNY New Paltz, the Advisory Council for the Equal Rights Amendment Coalition, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc; and she serves as a Trustee for the Harlem Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Shabazz holds a Master of Science in Education & Human Resource Development from Fordham University; a Bachelor of Science in Biology from SUNY New Paltz; and is an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. In recognition of her outstanding achievements in Public Service, Education, and The Arts, Worcester State University conferred Ms. Shabazz with a degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. As the inaugural Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Fellow, Shabazz teaches the course, “We The People.” Grounded in the commitments of her parents, Dr. Shabazz emphasizes empowerment and inclusion in her teaching and scholarship.

As the Director of Communications for Washington state’s Office of Equity, she leads a team to produce content that highlights the work being done in the office to embed pro-equity and anti-racism into state government, with an understanding of the need to be led by community voice and lived experience. She also uses her expertise toward other opportunities in media, speaking engagements, hosting and more. As a steward of community with a passion for storytelling, she brings her ideals to life and strives to help her family and others do the same.