Under Elijah Muhammad's leadership, the Nation of Islam built over 100 schools, 15,000 acres of farmland, a hospital, and numerous businesses — creating a self-sufficient Black economic infrastructure inside America.
The Story of Elijah Muhammad (Elijah Poole)
Born Elijah Poole in 1897 in Sandersville, Georgia, he migrated to Detroit during the Great Migration and encountered Wallace Fard Muhammad, who taught him the theology that would become the Nation of Islam. After Fard's disappearance in 1934, Elijah Muhammad became the Supreme Minister of the Nation of Islam and led it for over four decades.
Elijah Muhammad preached Black self-reliance, pride, and separation from white America. His theology — which identified white people as a 'blue-eyed devil' created through selective breeding — was controversial, but the practical programs he built were undeniably effective. The Nation of Islam established over 100 schools teaching Black history, math, science, and Islamic practice.
Under his leadership, the NOI acquired 15,000 acres of farmland in the South, operated bakeries, restaurants, clothing stores, a hospital, and multiple publishing ventures — creating genuine economic self-sufficiency for the Black community that depended on it. Members were expected to maintain sobriety, dress with dignity, and support Black-owned businesses.
His most famous convert and student, Malcolm X, became the NOI's greatest spokesman before their split in 1964. Elijah Muhammad died in 1975. His son Warith Deen Mohammed led most of the NOI toward mainstream Sunni Islam, while Minister Louis Farrakhan later rebuilt the NOI along the original lines. Whatever one thinks of his theology, his organizational achievements in building Black economic infrastructure remain remarkable.
Color Elijah's Portrait
The Alphabet Book of Generals — Who Resisted White Supremacy and Won features a full-page coloring portrait of Elijah with a color guide and fun fact. Perfect for children ages 4–12 and Black history education.
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