"The Black Panther Party in Berkeley: An Archival Exhibit and 60th Anniversary Celebration" is on display from February–May 2026. It is curated by Billy X Jennings, a former Black Panther member and founder of "It's About Time," the Panther Alumni Committee and Archive. The exhibit takes place on the 2nd Floor (February–April) and 5th Floor (April–May) of the Central Library.
This event will take place on the 2nd Floor in the Mystery Room from 2-4pm. Opening Reception from 2-3pm and Curator Talk/Audience Q&A from 3-4pm. There will be light refreshments.
"The Black Panther Party in Berkeley: An Archival Exhibit and 60th Anniversary Celebration"
2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Black Panther Party in Oakland by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. The Panthers, as they are known, are synonymous with Bay Area political activism and Black liberation struggle, and a source of significant cultural pride and heritage in the East Bay and beyond. Their achievements, especially locally, still resonate to this day, often forming the basis for programs, policies, and movements we now take for granted: free healthy school lunch programs, free medical clinics and culturally appropriate care for BIPOC communities (including groundbreaking advocacy around sickle cell anemia), culturally relevant youth education programs and education reform, economic empowerment and housing justice, police reform and community oversight, prison reform and abolition advocacy, Third World solidarity and rainbow coalition building—the list could go on.
While much of the Black Panther Party's local history understandably centers neighboring Oakland, Berkeley also played a significant role through the duration of the Party's existence from 1966–1982. At various points, Berkeley was home to the Black Panther Party World Headquarters at 3106 Shattuck Avenue and to the Bobby Seale People's Free Health Clinic at 3236 Adeline Street. Many party members resided in Berkeley and much Party activity occurred in Berkeley, particularly as the Panthers gained notoriety and were routinely harassed and attacked by the FBI in their more public facilities and forums.
Curated by former Black Panther Party member and now archivist, Billy X Jennings, "The Black Panther Party in Berkeley" on view at Berkeley Public Library showcases this substantial legacy in our city through rare, often one-of-a-kind archival materials. This includes photographs, art, printed material (such as the Black Panther Party newspaper and Party press releases), and other unique ephemera. The exhibit offers a new perspective on the people and stories that made the Black Panther Party such a lasting, vibrant, and compelling presence in Berkeley and beyond.
CURATOR BIOGRAPHY
Billy X was born in Alabama and raised in California. He graduated from Coronado High School in San Diego in 1968 and immediately moved to Oakland, CA to try to avoid the draft.
[PICTURED: Billy X Jennings, right, with Huey P. Newton, 1971. Jennings was Newton's aide at the time.]
In Oakland, he joined the Black Panther Party (BPP) in the summer of 1968. He initially worked out of the East Oakland office and later was transferred to Central Headquarters. While at Central, he worked as a personal assistant to both David Hilliard, Chief of Staff, and Huey P. Newton, Cofounder of the BPP.
In 1972, he was drafted to work in Bobby Seale's main campaign office during his run for Mayor of Oakland. Bill was also a student at Grove Street College and helped establish the Panther's Oakland Community School in 1973. It was the first Charter School in California.
While working on the 30th year Black Panther Party Reunion, Bill began to collect Panther historical documents and memorabilia. He helped start "It's About Time," the BPP Alumni Committee. He started a newsletter and website to preserve and promote the true legacy of the BPP. For the last 25 years, Bill has been the main archivist of Panther history. He has collected photographs, documents, films and other archival material.
Bill has done exhibits throughout the United States, as well as in England, Portugal, Sweden, Ireland, Australia and Tanzania. He has spoken at many universities and community organizations. He has acted as a consultant for many books and films about the Black Panther Party. Bill has a number of exhibits which focus on early Panther history, BPP Social Programs, the BPP newspaper and other underground press from the '60s and '70s.
[PICTURED: Billy X Jennings, 2015.]
