Malcolm spent his childhood and adolescent years living in Lansing, and these markers are what the city uses to commemorate him. Although Malcolm had much influence for human rights on a world stage, the city in which he was molded during his childhood has only three markers to honor him. Before the installation of "Malcolm X St" street signs, which stretch a portion of Main Street, the only recognition in the city included a Historical Marker in the place of his third Lansing home and the El-Hajj Malik-Shabazz Academy, neither of which are publicized to a high degree.

The city proposed the street renaming, causing much dispute among its residents. There was unrest due to Malcolm's controversial personal beliefs, such as creating unrest within the black community and earlyin his life calling the assassination of President John F. Kennedy as “chickens coming home to roost”. Malcolm had renounced his original faith and called for "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all people”. Despite the change in opinion that caused much disagreement, Malcolm had done so much to influence the world, but barely has anything to influence the landscape of his hometown. Although the city does not adequately recognize Malcolm X, the following pins represent the means of which the city of Lansing commemorate the great man who lived here.