The Black Panther Party

Big Man Elbert Howard Black Panther Party founding member
Big Man (far right), Black Panther demonstration, Oakland CA, July 1968. Photo courtesy of Pirkle Jones

Elbert "Big Man" Howard is one of the original founding members of the Black Panther Party. Big Man was a Black Panther from 1966 to 1974. During that time he served as Deputy Minister of Information and was a member of the Central Committee and the International Solidarity Committee. Many remember him as the first editor of the BPP newspaper and Party spokesperson.

Big Man has a vision for a new museum in Oakland CA to celebrate the rich and diverse community and its history. Read more about Big Man's dream for the West Oakland African American Heritage Museum and Research Center.

Read Big Man's review of ‘Showdown in Desire: The Black Panthers take a stand in New Orleans’, by Orissa Arend. The review appeared in SF Bay View.

Big Man Elbert Howard Black Panther Party founding member
Big Man, BPP 40th Reunion, Oakland, 2006
photo copyright 2006 Jerry Whiting