The Black Panther Party was a revolutionary socialist organization founded in 1966 by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale in Oakland, California. The Party sought to address police brutality and systemic racism against African Americans, advocating for self-defense and self-determination within Black communities.

The Black Panthers are perhaps best known for their community programs, such as the Free Breakfast for Children Program, which served thousands of meals to inner-city youth, and their health clinics that provided free medical services to underserved communities.

The Party's iconic imagery, including the black berets and leather jackets, along with their commitment to armed self-defense, made them a symbol of Black resistance and empowerment during the Civil Rights Era.

However, the Black Panthers were also targeted by the FBI through its COINTELPRO program, which sought to undermine and destroy the organization through surveillance, infiltration, and misinformation.

Despite facing intense government repression, the Black Panther Party had a significant impact on the Black Power movement and continues to inspire activists fighting for racial justice and equality today.