Malik Zulu Shabazz is an American attorney known for his high-profile civil rights activism and leadership in Black legal advocacy. While his name has frequently appeared in media coverage with contentious labels, a closer look at his professional journey outlines a career centered on advocating for the marginalized and seeking systemic reforms within the American justice system.
Raised by a single mother, whom he often credits as a strong and successful businesswoman, Shabazz was introduced to the principles of Black empowerment and self-determination at an early age. His grandfather played an important role in shaping his worldview by introducing him to the Nation of Islam.
Shabazz graduated from Howard University and earned a law degree from the Howard University School of Law. While still a student, he was already engaging in political life, running for a seat on the Council of the District of Columbia in 1995. Although unsuccessful, this early attempt showed his determination to bring change through legal and legislative channels.
In 1996, Shabazz co-founded Black Lawyers for Justice (BLFJ), an organization aimed at advancing legal justice for African Americans. BLFJ seeks to provide legal representation in cases of racial discrimination, police brutality, and other civil rights violations. Through this organization, Shabazz has sought to divert legal resources into communities that have historically lacked sufficient legal support.
Throughout his legal career, Shabazz has taken on several cases that have attracted national attention. In 2007, he was among the lead organizers of a major rally in Charleston, West Virginia, following the arrest of six white individuals accused of kidnapping, raping, and torturing a young Black woman, Megan Williams. Shabazz’s efforts helped bring a broader national focus to the case and the demand for hate crime charges.
Recently, Shabazz significantly contributed to the Rankin County, Mississippi torture case, representing two Black men, Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, who were subjected to severe abuse at the hands of local law enforcement officers. In this case, Shabazz and fellow attorney Trent Walker filed a $400 million civil lawsuit on behalf of the victims, alleging that deputies from the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department had violated their civil and human rights.
Following the exposure of the incident, the involved officers were sentenced to a combined 132 years in prison, one of the longest cumulative sentences for police misconduct in U.S. history. Shabazz has continued to advocate for further federal scrutiny of the sheriff’s department and remains vocal about what he describes as long-standing systemic failures in the region.
During the protests following the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore in 2015, Shabazz called for mass mobilization to protest police brutality. He has also spoken at demonstrations around the country, often linking legal demands with grassroots pressure to hold public institutions accountable.
Shabazz’s career shows a broader effort to redefine the role of Black legal professionals within American society. His approach challenges the traditionally restrained demeanor expected in legal environments, opting instead for a style that merges legal advocacy with activist urgency.
Through Black Lawyers for Justice, he has provided training and mentorship to younger attorneys committed to civil rights law. The organization remains active in representing clients facing racial injustice and continues to advocate for legal reforms, including police accountability, fair sentencing, and the eradication of racial profiling.
While his public image has been shaped in part by past controversies and affiliations, particularly his leadership in the New Black Panther Party, Shabazz has consistently maintained that his legal mission is rooted in addressing the systemic inequities faced by Black Americans.