It was 1966 when Huey Newton and Bobby Seale founded the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. Initially, their goals were to make use of California's open-carry laws at the time to directly challenge police brutality in Oakland and to turn Black rebellion into political power. In little time, the party expanded nationwide, fed hundreds of thousands of children, and created free health clinics and a number of other social programs.

October 2016 marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Black Panther Party. The theme of the commemoration was “Where Do We Go From Here?” The Black Panther Party is well-known and admired in Oakland and around the world for its stand against police brutality, for its Survival Programs—which included free breakfast for school children and free health clinics—its coalitions with other people of color, and its effort to bring about revolutionary change in America. Anniversary events explored and celebrated the history and legacy of the Black Panther Party.

Davey D Panel Interview on Art and Activism — Black Panther Party Anniversary Special | Black Panther Party 50th Anniversary photo on the steps of the Alameda County Courthouse

Related Feature: Black Panther Party Celebrates 40th Reunion in Oakland