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Black Panther Party, original name Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, African American revolutionary party, founded in 1966 in Oakland, California, by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. The party’s original purpose was to patrol African American neighborhoods to protect residents from acts of police brutality. The Panthers eventually developed into a Marxist revolutionary group that called for the arming of all African Americans, the exemption of African Americans from the draft and from all sanctions of so-called white America, the release of all African Americans from jail, and the payment of compensation to African Americans for centuries of exploitation by white Americans. At its peak in the late 1960s, Panther membership exceeded 2,000, and the organization operated chapters in several major American cities. The Black Panther Party also had a number of social programs, including free breakfast programs for children and health clinics. The organization was active until the late 1970s, and its members included notable figures such as Fred Hampton and Angela Davis. The BPP has had a significant influence on black liberation movements and political activism in the United States. Some of the most well-known members of the BPP include: Huey P. Newton: One of the co-founders of the BPP, Newton served as the party's Minister of Defense and played a key role in shaping its ideology and policies. Bobby Seale: The other co-founder of the BPP, Seale served as the party's National Chairman and was known for his strong and charismatic leadership. Fred Hampton: A leader of the BPP in Chicago, Hampton was known for his eloquence and organizing skills. He was assassinated by the Chicago Police Department in 1969. Angela Davis: A prominent activist and intellectual, Davis was a member of the BPP and was involved in various social and political causes. Elaine Brown: Brown served as the chairperson of the BPP from 1974 to 1977 and was the first woman to hold this position. Emory Douglas: Douglas served as the BPP's Minister of Culture and was responsible for the party's newspaper, The Black Panther. Eldridge Cleaver: Cleaver was a member of the BPP's Central Committee and was known for his controversial and militant views. Malcolm X was not a member of the Black Panthers. Although Malcolm X and the BPP both worked towards similar goals, they were not affiliated with each other and had different approaches to achieving their objectives.