A two-day marathon reading of "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" will be held this weekend in Boston to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the civil rights leader's birth. Nearly 200 volunteers will participate in the first-ever community read-a-thon of the iconic work.

The event will take place at the Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building in Roxbury from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 18. Community dinners will follow each day's reading, and the entire event will be livestreamed.

Architect and entrepreneur Rosalyn Elder, former bookstore owner and creator of African American Heritage Massachusetts, spearheaded the initiative. The organizing committee includes local artists, writers, and community leaders Dosha Beard, Danny Harris, Carolyn Ingles, Parmie Polk, Mark Schafer, and Talia Whyte.

"Through a group reading of his Autobiography, which has inspired millions around the globe since its first publication in 1965, we seek to unite and channel our individual aspirations for a better future into a powerful collective voice for change," states the event description.

The read-a-thon is free and open to the public. Attendees may stay for the entire program or any portion of it. Those interested in reading can sign up at
malcolmxreadathonboston.com.