October 10, 2025
THE MOTHER of civil rights icon Malcolm X has been honoured with a historic monument in her birth country of Grenada — a powerful tribute that shines new light on his Caribbean roots and the island’s role in shaping one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.
Louise Helen Norton Little (née Langdon) has been officially recognised with a memorial on ancestral family land in the village of La Digue, St Andrew, where she was born in the 1890s.
The tribute was unveiled in May to coincide with what would have been her son’s 100th birthday.
The monument honouring Louise Langdon Little stands as a lasting tribute to her legacy in Grenada
The event was organised by the Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW21) and the Malcolm X Family Foundation (MXFF), and attended by a distinguished international delegation.
Among the guests were Dr Julius Garvey, son of Jamaican Pan-Africanist hero Marcus Garvey, as well as Grenadian relatives of Malcolm X.
One of those present was Terance Vaughn Wilson, a third-generation cousin of Malcolm X who has spent more than 35 years researching and documenting his family’s history.
Speaking to The Voice from Grenada, he described the unveiling as a “family dream come true.”
“It’s not outsiders that had this in view,” Wilson said. “It was a family thing, and the family had this plan in mind for a long time. It has finally materialised.”
Honouring Louise Little
Louise Little, mother of Malcolm X, has been hailed as a brilliant intellectual and grassroots activist who served as secretary of Marcus Garvey’s UNIA. Garvey’s teachings of self-determination and Pan-Africanism shaped how she raised her children and influenced Malcolm’s political outlook. A temporary marker now stands on her family’s former land in Langdon, Grenada, marking the site of a future monument
Wilson said the memorial is a way to ensure Grenada’s contribution to Malcolm X’s story is fully acknowledged: “We are ensuring that Grenada gets its historical part, which it played in the realisation of Malcolm X, because Malcolm X’s mother is Grenadian, his grandmother is Grenadian and his great-grandmother is African. We have to be very proud of that.”
Growing awareness in Grenada
Malcolm X’s Grenadian relatives have lived in La Digue for more than 150 years, with many still residing there today. For them, the recognition of their ancestor has been a deeply emotional milestone.
Wilson said other family members in the village “feel good” that their beloved relative is finally being acknowledged in such a distinguished way.
Terance Wilson has been praised for his dedication to preserving Malcolm X’s Grenadian roots and Louise Little’s legacy (Pic: Sinai Fleary)
The monument has also sparked new interest among Grenadians who had not previously known about Malcolm’s Caribbean heritage. “A great percentage of the population never knew that Malcolm X’s mother, grandmother and family came from this area,” Wilson said. “Getting to know that was a shock to many of them, but they have now begun to accept the reality that Malcolm is Grenadian.”
Alongside the memorial, a billboard honouring Louise’s birthplace was also erected last year. Together, these tributes have made Malcolm X’s family story more visible in Grenada and have created a sense of cultural pride in St Andrew.
International solidarity
The project was made possible through support from IBW21, a US-based resource centre focused on capacity-building and empowerment for Black communities worldwide. According to Wilson, IBW21 played a “vital part” in bringing the monument to life.
Its president, Dr Ron Daniels, who led the international delegation to Grenada, described Louise as a “warrior woman.” He said the site has the potential to become an international destination.
“This is just the beginning of marking this site in a way that will one day become a cultural and historical centre,” Daniels said. “People from all over the world will come here. We know the spirit of Louise Langdon Little lives, and we know the spirit of El-Hajj Malik Omowale — Malcolm X, our Black shining prince — also lives.”
Dr Daniels later reflected that participating in the initiative was one of the most powerful milestones of his career.
Wilson said he was deeply grateful for the international solidarity shown. “They came to me and demonstrated a true desire to help the family, by providing the support and encouragement we needed to get this done.”
Protecting Louise Little’s legacy
At the event Wilson received IBW21’s prestigious Pan-Africanist Award for decades of work preserving his family’s history and Malcolm X’s Grenadian roots. The citation hailed his vision and dedication to honouring Malcolm’s mother, Louise Langdon Little.
He said that receiving the award was an emotional moment.
Louise Little in later life, (pictured here with her niece) is remembered as an intellectual and
grassroots activist who had a major impact on her son Malcolm X
“I have always been a Pan-Africanist person who supports the freedom of Africa all the time. Knowing I am part of a Pan-Africanist family makes me proud, and it is my desire to support the struggle of Pan-Africanist people worldwide.”
Education and the future
Wilson, together with British-Grenadian Derek Marshall, recently launched the Malcolm X Family Foundation in Grenada. They plan to create a series of educational programmes based on family archives, historic documents and photographs. Wilson has been named as curator for the permanent memorial and sees education as a central part of the project.
He is also campaigning for Louise and Malcolm’s story to be included in the Grenadian national curriculum. “We should be introducing all of our historical figures in the country who did great things,” he said. “But somehow our education is still in the hands of our colonial masters.”
For Wilson, teaching the stories of Grenadian freedom fighters is vital so that young people can learn about their heritage from a Caribbean perspective, rather than through a lens shaped by colonial powers.
Grenada was colonised by the French in the 17th century and later by the British, before gaining independence in 1974. Linking Malcolm’s story to the wider history of Grenadian resistance and independence, Wilson said, is essential for shaping a confident national identity.
He has also begun working on architectural plans for a permanent cultural site in La Digue. “We welcome the support of anyone willing to help us ensure this is a success — not just for Black people, but for all people.”
Wide recognition
The unveiling drew support from Grenadian, regional and international guests, including representatives from the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation in Omaha, Nebraska, and the Malcolm X Commemoration Committee in Brooklyn, New York.
Dr Julius Garvey told attendees he was proud to play a role in the initiative, connecting it to the wider struggle for Black liberation. “This is about continuing a revolution — one that my father, Louise Little, Malcolm X, and Maurice Bishop were all a part of. And one that we are all a part of,” he said.
Dr Julius Garvey paid tribute to Louise Little, recognising her role in advancing his father Marcus Garvey’s Pan-Africanist ideals
Grenada’s Minister for Economic Development, Lennox Andrews, who also represents St Andrew South West in parliament, described the tribute as a “moment of glory.” He recalled reading about Malcolm X as a boy and said the occasion brought a sense of pride to the people of his constituency.
“This is a moment of achievement and rejuvenation,” he said. “We commemorate the memory of Malcolm X’s mother, and we celebrate the centenary of his birth.”
Minister Andrews pledged ongoing government support to Wilson and the foundation. “The Government of Grenada will give you all the support you need, so that the memory and work of Mrs Little and her son Malcolm will live forever. Their example will motivate and inspire young people to emulate and follow.”
Powerful focal point
Although the current marker is temporary, the recognition of Louise Little’s birthplace has already become a powerful focal point in Grenada. Plans for a permanent memorial, educational initiatives and curriculum reform all point to a legacy that will connect generations to come.
As Wilson put it: “There would be no Malcolm X without the brilliance of his mother Louise — and without Grenada.”