Benjamin Karim

Benjamin Karim (born Benjamin Goodman; July 14, 1932 – August 2, 2005), also known as Benjamin 2X, was an American activist, minister, and author. He was a close associate of Malcolm X.

Biography Karim was born Benjamin Goodman, on July 14, 1932, in Suffolk, Virginia, the son of Wilbur Bryant Goodman and Mary Goodman. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. After the war, he moved to New York City, where he worked as an audio engineer.

Karim first heard Malcolm X speak in 1957. After hearing Malcolm speak, he became a close associate of his. He converted to the Nation of Islam (NOI) and served as an event speaker for the organization, as well as directing an education program at Masjid Malcolm Shabazz. He also changed his name to Benjamin 2X. He also wrote the book Remembering Malcolm, a biography, alongside Peter Skutches and Paul Gallen.

Karim had three sons and two daughters, and was married to Linda Karim. He died on August 2, 2005, aged 73, in Richmond, Virginia, from injuries sustained in a fall.