1960: Though Seattle’s black population had been historically small, the city had been no stranger to racial problems. Many of Seattle’s blacks fought back in one form or another, some by participating in civil rights and self defense organizations including the NAACP, the National Urban League, the Universal Negro Improvement Association, the Congress of Racial Equality, and the National Negro Congress, the Nation of Islam, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and the Black Panther Party. Malcolm X utilized newspaper columns, as well as radio and television to communicate the NOI's message across the United States including Seattle. He proved to be a brilliant, powerful orator who attracted huge crowds on the university lecture circuit. His charisma, drive and conviction attracted an astounding number of new members. Malcolm was largely credited with increasing membership in the NOI from 500 in 1952 to 30,000 in 1963.