Stokely Carmichael

Stokely Carmichael, later known as Kwame Ture, was born in the Port of Spain, Trinidad. In 1952, he immigrated to New York City and graduated from Bronx High School of Science.

Stokely Carmichael’s College Years

In 1960, Carmichael began attending Howard University in Washington, D.C. While a student, he became involved in the civil rights movement. In 1961, he participated in the Freedom Rides organized by the Congress for Racial Equality (CORE).

Carmichael Advocates Black Power

After graduating from Howard University in 1964, Carmichael joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). In 1966, he became the chairman of the SNCC. While leading the organization, he coined the slogan and movement, “Black Power.” The movement was more radical than Martin Luther King’s nonviolent stance, and it promoted racial pride, black unity, self-defense, and political and economic power. While SNCC and CORE members embraced the movement, it created division among the leaders of the civil rights movement.

Carmichael Joins the Black Panther Party

In 1966, Carmichael helped organize the independent political group, the Lowndes County Freedom Organization. The chosen emblem for the party was a black panther, which was later adopted by the Black Panther Party. In 1967, Carmichael left the SNCC and joined the Black Panther Party to serve as prime minister. That same year, he co-authored the book Black Power: The Politics of Liberation in America.

Carmichael Leaves the U.S.

In 1969, Carmichael resigned from the Black Panther Party and moved to Guinea, West Africa. In Guinea, he changed his name to Kwame Ture and spent a substantial amount of time advocating Pan-Africanism and the organization, All African People’s Revolutionary Party.

Stokely Carmichael died of prostate cancer on November 15, 1998.