Ms. Shabazz had a cameo appearance in the film, ‘Malcolm X’, starring Denzel Washington and Angela Basset. The movie won thirteen U.S. and international awards, including two Oscar Award nominations.

Growing Up X, Shabazz’ coming-of-age memoir, has been heralded by many diverse leaders: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee said “...it is a clear impression of Black family values as any ever written, reflecting the pride of a child who knows she was ‘raised right’.” 
Harvard Professor Dr. Alvin F. Poussaint described Growing Up X as "[a personal picture] that helps [the reader] to see Malcolm X and his family free from the typical media highlight of his so-called violent rhetoric.” 

Heart & Soul Magazine wrote “... it is a heart warming story into the world of a daughter whose father would be proud.”  Maya Angelou, the world renowned poet, author and activist, praised Ms. Shabazz for “... the courage to remember, the courage to see, and the courage to say what she saw.” Johnnie Cochran, the famed civil rights attorney affirmed, “... it [Growing Up X] is a must read.”  And Spike Lee, the Emmy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated American film director, producer, writer, and actor, noted for his films dealing with controversial, social and political issues concluded, “Growing Up X is destined to become a classic.”

Growing Up X has won critical acclaim as:  (1) The BET.com Best Book List; (2) The Essence Magazine Best Seller List; (3) The NAACP Image Award Nomination for Outstanding Non-Fiction Literary Work; and (4) The United Press International Book of the Week.

Ilyasah Shabazz persists as a committed and compassionate author, lecturer, and human rights activist. Extensive travels to Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the West Indies and throughout the United States inform her unique brand of educating about world history and culture to capacity audiences—where she inspires her audience to live more purpose-driven lives.