1921 - Yuri Kochiyama Born: A Life of Cross-Racial Solidarity

Yuri Kochiyama, born on May 19, 1921, in San Pedro, California, became one of the most steadfast allies of Black liberation. A Japanese-American activist, she first rose to national attention as a close associate of Malcolm X and a vocal advocate for political prisoners, reparations, and human rights. Kochiyama was present during Malcolm X’s assassination and cradled him in his final moments, a powerful image of cross-racial solidarity. Her activism spanned decades and included work with the Black Panthers, Puerto Rican independence groups, and Asian-American civil rights movements. Born on the same day as Malcolm X, Kochiyama’s life symbolized unity across oppressed communities and the necessity of collective struggle. Honoring her birth on May 19 is an opportunity to uplift stories of allyship, resistance, and radical vision. Her example continues to inspire activists building inclusive, intersectional movements for justice.