In words and photographs, here is the story of the controversial Black Panther Party, founded in 1966 by Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton. The words are Seale’s, with contributions from Kathleen Cleaver and many others; the photographs, which capture range from the party’s charismatic leaders to its daily work in African American communities, are by Stephen Shames, who also provides an introduction. Published on the 50th anniversary of the party’s founding, Power to the People describes the struggles and celebrates the achievements of the only radical political party in America to make a difference in the struggle for civil rights.

Photographer(s): Stephen Shames