OAKLAND, Calif -- Founded by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in October 1966, the Black Panther Party (BPP) inspired community self-reliance, challenged police brutality, and paved the way for today's activists.
As a former original Black Panther Party member, Saturu Ned was an integral part of the Black Panthers' mission to empower Black Americans.
"Everything that we did was answering issues in the community and then it spread from community to community," said Ned. "Because you're working together and you have the same problems in your community, you become brothers and sisters united as one people in America."
The Black Panther Party is known for its Ten-Point Program (or Ten-Point Party Platform), which outlined a set of guidelines rooted in freedom for Black Americans. The organization created over 60 community assistance programs including medical services, free clothing and shoes, and legal aid instruction.