The Black Panther Party is being remembered on its 60th anniversary in October 2026, with activists, historians, and lawmakers pointing to its community programs.
The party was founded in Oakland, California, in October 1966 by Dr. Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale.
Its history includes free medical clinics, breakfast programs for children, and educational initiatives alongside political advocacy.
Commemorative Events in Oakland and Sacramento
The Dr. Huey P.
Newton Foundation, It's About Time BPP, and the Bobby Seale Legacy Foundation organized a monthlong series of events across Oakland and Sacramento.
In California, the October 2026 schedule includes an exhibition led by party historian Billy X Jennings at the Oakland Public Library on Oct.
15.
There are also workshops on reproductive health, an international footprint discussion by Charlotte Hill O'Neal, and a community gathering at West Oakland's Bobby Hutton Park on Oct.
18.
Dr. Xavier Buck, executive director of the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation, confirmed that Bobby Seale will attend an Oct.
17 gala marking the reissue of his book Seize the Time.
"It's going to be a pretty big deal," Buck said.
Buck said joint planning between foundations representing both co-founders reflects a focus on solidarity.
"It's the first time that these legacies have worked together," Buck said.
He noted that one of Bobby Seale's greatest regrets was not making amends with Huey before he was killed in '89.
The activities also feature historical presentations by radical political artist Emory Douglas, social scientist Walter Turner, and educator Dr. Hodari Davis, alongside a panel examining the party's original Ten-Point Plan.
"It's all about looking at this current political moment," Buck said, "and thinking more about unification than division."
Florida Medicaid Debate Cites Party Legacy
In Jacksonville, Florida, State Representative Angie Nixon invoked the party's history of community survival programs during a debate on state Medicaid policies.
Speaking at Cafe Resistance, Nixon described how local initiatives historically stepped in to address systemic failures in public resources.
"The Black Panther Party saw children in Oakland going to school hungry. When children don't eat, they can't function," Nixon said.
Nixon pointed out that school systems nationwide eventually adopted similar initiatives following the party's early community efforts.
"They started a free breakfast program, and guess who replicated that free breakfast program? Schools all across the country," Nixon said.
Turning to modern health coverage disputes, Nixon criticized Republican Senator Ashley Moody regarding votes affecting Medicaid funding across Florida.
"The Black Panther Party also saw people who didn't have access to quality health care," Nixon said.
She said the party opened free health clinics because the government was failing to ensure that people had a safety net.
Nixon cited conversations with medical professionals in Pinellas County who warned of financial strain on regional facilities dependent on Medicaid funding.
"She told me that because of Ashley Moody and her support for the big BS bill, that the hospital she works at receives sixty-seven to seventy percent of their funding from Medicaid," Nixon said.
She relayed further warnings regarding the impact of proposed reductions on pediatric care.
"She looked me in my face and told me children are going to die," Nixon said.
When an audience member interrupted her remarks, Nixon maintained her position on public access to policy resources.
"I am sorry if you feel that these organizations…" Nixon said.
She paused to ask for order before continuing her address.
"Hey, please let me let me talk again," Nixon said.
She emphasized that public engagement remains essential to establishing essential social services.
"There is absolutely nothing wrong with ensuring we have access to policy," Nixon said.
