Description
The Huey P. Newton Foundation was started by David Hilliard and Fredrika Newton to develop and sponsor cultural, historical
and educational programs and institutions consistant with the theories and teaching of Huey Newton and the philosophy and
ideology of the Black Panther Party. Huey P. Newton founded the Black Panther Party during the late 1960's to organize and
train African Americans to protect themselves against official violence. As the Party evolved, Newton professed the development
of programs for the Black community and the philosophy of self-help.
Background
In 1966 a group of young, African-American men attempting to organize the black community formed the Black Panther Party for
Self-Defense and put forth their agenda in a document entitled "What We Want...What We Believe". The Party organized armed
patrols, well-versed in civil rights, to protect their communities by monitoring the activities of the community law enforcement
officers. Its leaders were Bobby Seale (Chairman of the Black Panther Party from 1966 -1974), Huey P. Newton (Minister of
Defense from 1966 -1981), Eldridge Cleaver (Minister of Information), David Hilliard (Chief-of-Staff), and others.
Restrictions
Property rights reside with the repository. Literary rights reside with the creators of the documents or their heirs. To obtain
permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Public Services Librarian of the Dept. of Special Collections.
Availability
Collection is open for research; materials must be requested at least 24 hours in advance of intended use. The Audio-Visual
materials require at least three weeks advance notice to use in order to allow staff time to have use copies made from the
original items.