Veterans of the Black Panther Party, Seattle chapter, discuss their experiences in video interviews. Most of the interviews were conducted by Janet Jones with assistance from Trevor Griffey and Alex Morrow. Five are from Keepers of the Dream: Seattle Women Black Panthers, a film by Patricia Boiko and Tajuan LaBee. Start with this ten-minute introductory film The Seattle Black Panther Party by Emma Hinchliffe.
Aaron Dixon
Co-founder of the Seattle chapter, Aaron Dixon was 19 years old when Bobby Seale appointed him Captain in 1968. He guided the chapter through its early years, then moved to Oakland in 1972.
Elmer Dixon
Elmer Dixon was in High School when he helped his brother Aaron begin the Seattle chapter. He served as Field Marshall and kept the chapter together after 1972.
Frances Dixon
Described in one article as "Black Panther Mom," Frances Dixon is mother to Aaron, Elmer, and Michael Dixon.
Michael Dixon
The youngest of the Dixon brothers, Michael was a 15-year old sophomore at Garfield High when he joined the Party.
Mark Cook
Raised in Seattle, Mark Cook joined the Panthers while serving time in Walla Walla State Penitentiary. He organized the prison chapter of the BPP.
Jake Fiddler
Born in Mississippi, Jake Fiddler joined the BPP not long after moving to Seattle, serving as Elmer Dixon's bodyguard and managing distribution of the Party newspaper.
Youlanda Givens
Raised in Seattle, Youlanda Givens joined the BPP in 1974. Her work in the Party inspired her later career in social work and mental health services.
Winona Hollins Hauge
At Garfield high school, Winona Hollins met Carolyn Downs and through her joined the Black Panther Party.
Leon Hobbs
A military veteran, Leon Hobbs helped train the chapter in weapons and tactics. He also co-founded the Sydney Miller Free Medical Clinic.
Ron Johnson
Minister of Information for the chapter, Ron Johnson helped maintain the Seattle BPP after 1972 when much of the leadership had moved to Oakland.
Vanetta Molson-Turner
Vaneta Moulson Turner has been a registered nurse for more than three decades. She turned to nursing after years of service to the Black Panther Party.
Mike Murray
An early member of the chapter, Mike Murray was a student at Garfield High School when he joined the BPP.
Dr. Phyllis Noble-Mobley
A student at Franklin High, Phyllis Noble was not quite 16 years old when she joined the Black Panther Party.
Garry Owens
After serving in Vietnam, Garry Owens returned to Seattle and joined the BPP in 1968. Owens developed public speaking skills while in the Party and eventually found his way to a UW degree.
Mike Tagawa
One of two Japanese Americans to join the Seattle chapter, Mike Tagawa grew up in Seattle and served in the military before joining the BPP in 1968.
Bobby White
Joining the Black Panther Party shortly after returning from Vietnam, Bobby White served as Lieutenant of Information from 1968-1971.
Kenyatto Amen-Allah
A child during the civil rights era, Kenyatto Amen-Allah grew up around the Black Panther Party, attending the BPP's Liberation School. He was later active with the Panther Legacy Committee.
Larry Gossett
Black Student Union co-founder Larry Gossett describes the activities that helped launch the Black Panther Party.
Wes Uhlman
Mayor of Seattle from 1969 to 1977, Wes Uhlman was no friend of the BPP. But early in 1970, he saved lives by intervening to prevent federal agents from launching a nighttime assault on Panther headquarters.
Shamseddin Williams
The son of Malcolm Williams, Shamseddin Williams spent part of his childhood with the Seattle Black Panther Party.