As we gear up for the annual Omowale Malcolm X Observance taking place on Sunday 23rd February at Chestnuts Community Centre featuring international guest speakers Mama Marimba Ani and Mwalimu Bomani Baruti (https://alkebulan.org/omxobservance/), we highlight one of the most enduring aspects of his legacy, his manhood. Indeed, generations of brothers since his slaying on February 21st 1965 have resonated with what Baba Ossie Davis eulogised as:
“…Our manhood, our living, black manhood. This was his meaning to his people. And, in honoring him, we honor the best in ourselves.” (1)
His stature as a bold, fearless leader, devoted husband, loving father and archetype of human transformation has stood as a yardstick for over sixty years. (2)
One such protoge is Bro. Twilight Bey, who tragically passed into the Ancesetral Realm a few days ago in a devastating loss to the community. There are many parallels between Bro. Twilight and Omowale Malcolm X. Like is predecessor, Bro. Twilight grew up in challenging circumstances in the economically deprived, gang & drug affected communities of South Central Los Angeles. But aged seventeen, motivated by impending parenthood and inspired by The Autobiography of Malcolm X, he vowed to make a change not only in his own life but in the community around. Him. (3)
This led to him being a key figure in the initiation of the Peace Talks in 1988 between rival Los Angeles Street Gangs followed by him being a key organiser of the Cease Fire Agreement between the Bloods & Crips of Watts, California in 1992.
Under the mentorship of NFL Hall of Famer and All-Time All-Star, activist , movie star and founder andPresident of Amer-I-Can Inc.Jim Brown, Bro. Twilight and the other founding members of Amer-I-Can were able to affect positive change throughout the County of Los Angeles in schools and neighbourhoods adversely affected by economic exclusion, poor academic achievement, gangs, drugs and violence.
These are the attributes that he took to Afrikan communities around the world, like Omowale Malcolm X, working among those many consider to be the ‘least of these’ transforming lives. In recent decades Afrika UK, where he functioned as a committed husband and devoted father, has benefitted from his immense expertise.
His work and programmes have been described as practical, innovative and genuine by young people, parents, teacher, community and statutory agencies alike. He continues to travel to and from the United States and remains a key participant in the development of social intervention initiatives and services worldwide. Anna Deavere Smith’s play Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992, was named after him.
He was most well known as the lead Social Intervention Specialist and co-founder of The Social Solutions Institute for Research & Development (SSI). He also served as a co-founder of numerous community based organisations and action committees with the vision to reduce hopelessness and violence and improve socio-economic progression in the disenfranchised sections of society. A valued contributor in these organisations, Twilight has helped to pioneer innovations and enrichment in the areas of education and social intervention. The Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement undoubtedly benefitted his engagement on its platforms like Afrika Speaks and Nommo as well as Shumira.
Bro. Twilight is characerised by his deep humility, fathomless love for his people and unremitting work ethic, matched only by his stellar intellect. In 2011 his services to the community were recognised, alongside Bro. Hakim, Bro. Samson Soboye, Dr. Chrisopher A Johnson, Bro. Minkah Adofo, Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka and Baba Hewie Andrew at “An Evening in Honour of the Black Man” hosted by Student Minister Abdul Hakeem.
Our prayers and deepest condolences go out to his Queen, Anita, their children and the family. Thus, may the spirit of Bro. Twilight rise on the wings of Ma’at after a favourable judgement in the council of Asar. AṢẸ! AṢẸ! AṢẸ-O!!!
The family have started a GoFundMe page to cover repatriation costs: https://gofund.me/ee49d0b6
(1) Nosakhere Griffin-EL (21/02/21) Malcolm X as the Soundtrack of Manhood: A Tribute to Our Shining Prince. https://www.icit-digital.org/articles/malcolm-x-s-speech-at-the-oaau-founding-rally-june-28-1964
(2) Nikki Finke (08/01/89) A Certain Peacefulness : Malcolm X’s Oldest Daughter Has Made Her Peace With His Memory, but Not With Reactions to It. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-01-08-vw-151-story.html
(3) Twilight Bey (01/12/19) KWANZAA – Bringing Family and Community Together, Empowering Our Youths. Message at Alkebu-Lan Shumira
Where is our “Living Black Manhood” today? Remembering Bro. Twilight Bey
Call or message in as we explore the state of Afrikan manhood through the lens of Omowale Malcolm X and protégés like Twilight Bey, sharing memories and impact.
Our Special Guests:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.
Bro. AmeN NoiR: Multi-Faceted practitioner: Emotional & Social Literacy consultant, founding member Revolitionary Spoken Word collective Best Kept Secret. Bro. Amen is the founder and lead practitioner of A.N Consultancy whose services include Counselling, Mentoring, Motivational Speaking, Team building and much more, particularly with “hard to reach” or “disaffected” youth. He is also Managing Director at Vybe Dance Company, and CEO of REFLECT Couture Children’s Brand. Bro. AmeN NoiR is also Twilight Bey’s brother in law. (https://amennoir.com/).
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