As we recognize the 60th anniversary of Malcolm X’s assassination during Black History Month, we affirm an undeniable truth—Black labor built this nation, and Black economic power is essential to its future. Malcolm X was a fearless advocate for Black self-determination, ownership, and financial independence. He understood that true liberation required more than just civil rights; it demanded economic power, control over resources, and investment in Black communities.
“You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.” - Malcolm X, Message to the Grassroots Speech, January 1965
For centuries, Black labor has been the backbone of America. Enslaved Africans built the plantation economy that fueled global markets. Black laborers constructed railroads, highways, and buildings that still stand today. Black workers led labor movements that reshaped America’s economy. Black innovators created America’s culture - music, art, fashion, inventions, and conventions. Yet, despite their contributions, wealth built by Black labor has often been stolen or denied to Black communities. Malcolm X recognized that political freedom without economic power was an illusion. He urged Black people to reclaim ownership—of land, businesses, and industries—because economic control was the key to lasting liberation.
His vision remains relevant today. Economic self-determination is not just a strategy for survival but a pathway to empowerment. The work of organizations like the Black Resilience in Colorado (BRIC) Fund aligns with this mission by investing in Black-led organizations that strengthen economic power and address disparities created by centuries of exploitation. The BRIC Fund ensures that Black labor and leadership shape the future by supporting housing security, entrepreneurship, youth development, and mental health.
This is more than charity—it is a course correction, an investment in justice, and a commitment to the liberation that Malcolm X envisioned. Black history is American history. Black labor built this country's infrastructure, culture, and economic foundation, and Black power will determine its future. As we reflect on Malcolm X’s legacy, we recognize that his call to action remains as urgent today as it was sixty years ago. Economic justice is racial justice. Investment in Black communities is an investment in the very foundation of America itself.
"The future belongs to those who prepare for it today." - Malcolm X, 1962
While some seek to erase Black history, we are committed to amplifying and building upon it. Black labor built this nation, and now, we invest in building our future. Increasing the recirculation of the Black dollar is critical to fueling the growth, stability, and sustainability of liberated Black communities. Malcolm X emphasized that economic power was essential to breaking cycles of oppression. Investing in Black-owned businesses, supporting Black entrepreneurs, and funding Black-led initiatives like the BRIC Fund ensures that wealth stays within our communities—creating jobs, strengthening institutions, and securing generational prosperity.
Join us in this mission. Visit BRIC Fund to take action and make a donation today. Together, we ensure that Black labor is acknowledged, uplifted, and used as a force for lasting liberation.
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