Black Heritage Month will continue at NIU with a speech by Atallah Shabazz, the eldest daughter of slain civil rights leader Malcolm X.

Shabazz founded a national touring company of educational theatre designed to motivate today’s youth. Her visit is sponsored by SISTERS and the Black Student Union.

The idea for Shabazz’s lecture came after SISTER members brainstormed for a speaker.

“We were looking for primarily African-American women who play an instrumental role in shaping African-American roles. Her father (also) played a good role in the development of the African-American race,” said SISTERS member Mimi Boley.

Boley said the lecture is “not just a personal thing” and is beneficial for all students because Shabazz is “an advocate for the brotherhood of all people.”

Shabazz graduated from the United Nations International School when she was 17. She majored in international law and minored in English at Briarcliff College.

She has been assistant film director for The Lincoln Center Film Institute and a part-time administrative assistant for both the Kinte Corporation and The Pacifica Radio Foundation in California.

The touring company was founded along with the help of the eldest daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr., and encourages people to remember “It is within you to be all that your dreams imagine!” as part of its motto.

Admission to the 7:30 p.m. lecture in Diversions is free and all students are encouraged to attend, Boley said.

Boley said she thinks this is the first time Shabazz has ever spoken at NIU.