The Black Panther Party, founded in 1966, played a crucial role in the civil rights activism movement by directly addressing systemic racism, police brutality, and social injustices faced by African Americans. They advocated for self-defense against oppression and developed community programs aimed at improving education, health care, and food security. The Party's militant posture contrasted with the nonviolent approach of mainstream civil rights leaders, leading to significant attention to issues of racial inequality. Their legacy includes raising awareness about intersectionality, highlighting the connection between race, class, and gender struggles, and influencing later movements for social justice, including Black Lives Matter.