The Black Panther Party and the Transition to Black Power – w/ Robyn C. Spencer and Jakobi Williams

Teaching Hard History

The history of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense can help us understand the transition from civil rights to Black Power, as well as contemporary issues like mass incarceration. From the Ten-Point Platform to survival programs, historian Robyn C. Spencer outlines key aspects of the party’s revolutionary ideology, grassroots activism and community service. And historian Jakobi Williams joins to share valuable classroom insights.

Want more Movement Music? Our latest Spotify playlist has even more songs inspired by this episode.

Check out this great Resource Guide (pdf) – “Teaching The History of the Black Panther Party: 5 Essential FAQ’s” – from The Intersectional Black Panther Party History Project.

And your students can find rich archival materials about the Black Panthers online. This collection of Black Panther newspapers from 1968-1973 offers amazing articles and images from the moment of the movement. Or they can view these FBI investigative files on the Black Panther Party to see how the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office tracked the BPP’s activities, income, and expenses from 1969 to 1976.

Visit the enhanced episode transcript for even more classroom resources about teaching the Black Panther Party and the transition from Civil Rights to Black Power.

And Educators! Get a professional development certificate for listening to this episode—issued by Learning for Justice. Listen for the special code word, then visit learningforjustice.org/podcastpd.