Former Black Panthers to speak at Sonoma State University

Four former Black Panther Party members will be part of a panel discussion Monday at Sonoma State University.

The Rohnert Park campus is hosting from 4-6 p.m. a discussion and reception for documentary photographer Suzun Lucia Lamaina’s exhibit titled: “Revolutionary Grain: Celebrating the Spirit of the Black Panther Party in Portraits and Stories.”

The panel discussion - open to the public - will include former Party members Barbara Easley Cox, Billy X Jennings, Elbert “Big Man” Howard and Emory Douglas. It will be held at the 2North Gallery, located on the second floor of the University Library.

“This exhibition is timely and topical,” University Library Dean Karen Schneider said in a statement.

“It addresses misconceptions about the Panthers and the pivotal role they played in social justice in the ’60s and ’70s.”

For five years, Lamaina, who produced a book which shares the exhibit’s name, traveled around the country, photographing former Black Panther members, whom she believe were widely misunderstood.

She had them reflect on their time in the party.

Their stories accompany the black-and-white images she took on traditional film and developed in a darkroom, and that are now on display at the university’s library until May 31.

For more details on the panel discussion, visit library.sonoma.edu.

While admission is free, parking on campus ranges from $5 to $8.