Winston-Salem in Forsyth County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Winston-Salem Chapter of the Black Panther Party

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, October 20, 2016

1. Winston-Salem Chapter of the Black Panther Party Marker

Inscription. In 1969, Winston-Salem became the first Southern city with a chapter of the Black Panther Party. Nationally and locally, the Black Panthers sought to protect African—American neighborhoods from police brutality; the volatility of the times often led to confrontation with police. Later the Chapter offered community service programs, including free breakfasts for school children, sickle cell anemia testing, and the Joseph Waddell People's Free Ambulance Service, which received national acclaim. These programs brought meaningful change to Winston-Salem during a time of social and political upheaval and lent validation to the Chapter's slogan, "Power to the People—Right On!" Members of the Winston-Salem Chapter would later serve the community as ministers, teachers, politicians, and community organizers.

Erected 2012 by Winston-Salem Historic Marker Program.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Civil Rights. A significant historical year for this entry is 1969.

Location. 36° 6.032′ N, 80° 13.702′ W. Marker is in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in Forsyth County. It is at the intersection of East 5th Street and North Martin Luther King Jr Drive, on the left when traveling

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west on East 5th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Winston Salem NC 27101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont

and specifically in Piedmont Triad.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tobacco Unionism (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Winston Mutual Life Insurance Building (about 500 feet away); Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (about 500 feet away); East Winston Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kate Bitting Reynolds Memorial Hospital (approx. 0.2 miles away); Reynoldstown Historic District (approx. 0.4 miles away); Phi Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (approx. 0.4 miles away); Belews Street Neighborhood (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winston-Salem.

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, October 20, 2016

2. Winston-Salem Chapter of the Black Panther Party Marker

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, October 20, 2016

3. Winston-Salem Chapter of the Black Panther Party Marker

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, October 20, 2016

4. Winston-Salem Chapter of the Black Panther Party Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,107 times since then and 126 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 21, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.