OKLAHOMA CITY — It’s time for OKC to give Malcolm X his flowers and join Black people nationwide to celebrate his cultural legacy. The federal government may have only commemorated the sanitized version of Dr. King, but Sunday OKC will remember El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, too.
More widely known as Malcolm X, he was willing to be direct in the face of an oppressive system.
Masood Abdul-Haqq told the Black Wall Street Times that Brother Malcolm “encouraged our people to be champions and be outspoken.” Those teachings have long inspired Haqq. After relocating to OKC from Atlanta, he saw that the city was missing a festival. Malcolm X’s 100th birthday was Monday, May 19.
On Sunday, May 25, 2025, the inaugural XFest OKC will be held at Douglass High School, 900 N Martin Luther King Avenue. The event will take place from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is open to all ages.
Haqq is a community organizer and entrepreneur. His company, Haqq Enterprises, not only operates his public speaking and book promotions, but it’s how he does his large-scale event planning. Haqq’s experiences, including organizing United Eid OKC twice a year, have more than prepared him to organize XFest OKC.
Why XFest OKC is More Than a Festival
Some might not expect an outdoor festival in OKC to be how we commemorate Malcolm X’s freedom fighting and standing up to opposition. Haqq reminded us that Brother Malcolm had a past before he decided who he wanted to be in the community. Before taking time “to sit with himself” and change his mindset, Detroit Red knew something about partying.
The XFest OKC Instagram page shared an excerpt from a 1950 letter written during Malcolm’s incarceration. The letter is quoted as saying “Music, Brother, is ours…it is us…and like us it is always here…surrounding us…like the infinite particles that make up Life.”
Haqq said he was in a unique position to host this celebratory festival. He also shares Brother Malcolm’s enthusiasm for music. On Sunday, DJ D Chappell will spin and appearances include Legit, UndaDawg, Spence Browne, Jabee and more.
“There is no story about Black history without music, without dance.” Haqq said. “We don’t only approach serious topics through discourse or think pieces.”
The outdoor event will support OKC businesses through vendors and food trucks. All attendees are invited to come ready to buy items that can’t be found at big box stores.
Haqq said to be ready for fun in the sun. Feel free to bring lawn chairs and blankets for the outdoor festival. The 3-on-3 basketball tournament will take place in the Trojans gym.
The weather forecast says 85 degrees and the small chance of rain won’t stop the festivities, Haqq said. “My experience with festivals is that if you have a little precipitation, it adds to the charm of it.”
Bring the whole family and your fans to line dance. “Try to clear your schedule so that you can spend as much time with us as possible.”
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