N'COBRA ATLANTA CHAPTER CO-HOSTS OPENING OF "TO SERVE THE PEOPLE BODY AND SOUL" - THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE BLACK PANTHER PARTY ON MAY 6TH, 2005

Atlanta, GA (BlackNews.com) - On Friday, May 6th, 2005, at the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History, located at 101 Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia, the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (NCOBRA) Atlanta Chapter will host the acclaimed Black Panther Party Photography Exhibition entitled "To Serve The People: Body and Soul."

Leaving a lasting impact on social activism throughout the United States and the world, The Black Panther Party significantly affected the freedom and liberation movements of the 1960s and '70s. Nearly 35 years after it's founding, the influence of this urban activist organization continues to stir the deep interest of the American public.

The historic exhibition of over 40 black and white still photographs illustrates the rich and multi-faceted legacy of the Panthers. The Exhibition's Curator, William "Billy X" Jennings, a member of the Oakland, California Chapter of the Black Panther Party from 1968-1974, participated in the very first Panther Breakfast for School Children program. "By feeding our children and protecting our communities," said Jennings, "we allowed the fertile ground of individual and collective possibilities to be cultivated. That was a key ingredient to the Party's acceptance by and in the community." Jennings worked closely with Huey P. Newton during his tenure with the Panthers, and served as campaign manager for Bobby Seale's mayoral run.

Currently, Mr. Jennings currently serves as Editor of two newspapers: It's About Time and the "Panther News". Long a collector of Black Panther photos and memorabilia, Jennings also operates a website - www.itsabouttimebpp.com - where many of his photographs can be viewed. The site also carries news about veteran Panthers, reunions, Panther book happenings and other Panther-related announcements and happenings.

Introduced first on the west coast as the "Louder than Words" Black Panther Photo Exhibit, this stirring collection of black and white photos depicts Panthers at work in the community, again an integral element of the Black Panther platform.

In conjunction with the May 6th opening, which will begin with a Reception @ 5:00PM, followed by Gallery Talk @ 5:15PM, the Auburn Avenue Research Library, co-hosts of the Panther Photo Exhibition, will fete Atlanta-based Panthers, "Jahtee" Jackson, photographer; WRFG 89.3 FM Radio air-shifter, journalist and musician Bilal Sunni-Ali; activist and spiritual leader Iyalosha Fulani Sunni-Ali, activist Althea Francoise, and Willie "Mukasa" Ricks, an original member of the Lowdnes County Alabama Black Panther Party. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) also has been invited to open the Black Panther Photo Exhibit to Atlanta and the Southeast.

On Saturday, June 25th, NCOBRA-Atlanta will host a special viewing as part of the 16th Annual NCOBRA National conference. "To Serve the People Body and Soul" The Photography of the Black Panther Party will run from May 6th through June 30th, 2005.

For more information on the Black Panther Party Photo Exhibit, visit: www.itsabouttimebpp.com

For Directions to the Auburn Avenue Research Library, visit: www.af.pulib.lib.ga.us/arrl

For more information on the 16th Annual N'COBRA National Conference, visit: www.ncobra-atl.org