KGNU’s Aramis Loma Guzman attended a panel at the University of Colorado Boulder in February to discuss the legacy and impact of the Black Panthers. Panelists included Billy X. Jennings, Black Panther Party veteran and lead historian, and Aaron Dixon, former captain of the Seattle chapter.

One of many accomplishments for the party was the integration of free breakfast for children in the community. “ I’m very proud of the fact that we found solutions to problems that we started a program in 1969, feeding kids, and the government adopted it, and they’ve been feeding kids through this program,” Jennings said. “The party has developed for over 50 years, so if you add that up from 1971 to the day when the government started feeding the program, there’s millions and millions of kids that are being fed. That’s something to be proud of.”

Seattle chapter president Aaron Dixon said we can look to the Black Panthers to understand how to fill the need for activism and community during present times.

“If you want to have a good, happy society, you gotta take care of the people. That’s what the Black Panther Party was about. We were working to create a more wholesome society,” said Dixon.

“It’s a legacy that’s important because it was a legacy of unity for all oppressed people. We recognize the right that all people have a right to exist and express themselves. Although the party hasn’t been active in 44 years, its impact is still powerful. The youth have been fighting for what is right, as the Panthers did all those years ago.”

This story aired on The Morning Magazine, KGNU’s weekday morning show featuring local news and community members. Click here to listen to other episodes of The Morning Magazine.