February is Black History Month, and I would be remiss if I didn’t take the opportunity to publicly acknowledge my all-time favorite civil rights leader. I first got to know who Malcolm X was through Alex Haley’s biography, and later through the film adaptation directed by Spike Lee. As a younger, testosterone-fueled football player, I found myself identifying more with Malcolm’s aggressive approach to civil rights, especially in contrast to the peaceful Satyagraha methods championed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

But what I truly came to appreciate was the transformation of Malcolm X. I’ve always been drawn to stories of personal growth and the evolution of human character—and that’s exactly what you see in Malcolm’s life. His persona changed significantly over time. He was a burglar, then a prisoner, then a devout Muslim who preached separatism, and finally someone who came to see the beauty in all races and began preaching racial reconciliation.

Too often, we remember only the fiery rhetoric of Malcolm X and forget that his message had evolved by the time of his tragic assassination.

Malcolm converted to Islam during his time in prison, and upon his release, quickly rose through the ranks to become a leader in the Nation of Islam here in the United States. His first transformation was from a burglar to a devout Muslim leader who took an extreme stance on civil rights. His second transformation came during his pilgrimage to Mecca, where he prayed alongside Muslims of many races and realized that racial harmony was indeed possible.

The human character is a fascinating thing. We must remember that we can grow, change, and become enlightened as we continue through life, learning from those around us. This is what some psychologists refer to as a “growth mindset.” That’s exactly what happened to Malcolm. His story is a powerful testimony to the transformative power of love—something that can change all of us for the better.

So during the month of February, I choose to remember Malcolm X not only for his passionate voice and powerful rhetoric, but also for the transformation of his spirit, which ultimately led him to believe that racial reconciliation was possible.