Black August originated in the California prison system during the 1970s. It honors fallen Black freedom fighters, reflects on Black resistance against oppression, and promotes Black nationalist ideals. The movement emerged from the need to recognize significant events in the African American community that occurred in August. Those include the Watts Rebellion and the birth of Marcus Garvey. The deaths of both George Jackson and Jonathan Jackson, key figures in the Black Panther Party and the broader struggle for Black liberation are also events that spurred the movement.

Today, Black August honors the struggle for Black liberation. It commemorates Black political prisoners, and celebrates Black resistance. However, the contributions of women often remain underrepresented in the narrative. 

Through leadership, community organizing, and intellectual contributions, Black women have been instrumental in the foundation of the Black August movement.

Here are four trailblazing Black women whose courage and activism were instrumental in shaping the Black August Movement.

1. Assata Shakur – The Spirit Of Resistance

Assata Shakur, played a pivotal role in shaping the ideologies behind Black August. She is perhaps one of the most prominent figures within with the Black Liberation Movement. Born JoAnne Deborah Byron, Shakur was involved in the Black Panther Party and later the Black Liberation Army. Her activism was not only about fighting against racial injustice. It was also about addressing issues of sexism within the movement itself.

In 1973, Shakur was involved in a shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike, which led to her conviction under controversial circumstances. Her story took a dramatic turn in 1979 when she escaped prison and later gained asylum in Cuba. Shakur’s autobiography and spoken-word poetry continue to inspire activists worldwide. Theyembody the spirit of resistance that Black August seeks to commemorate.

2. Angela Davis – An Icon Of Intellectual Resistance

Angela Davis’s influence on Black political thought and her role in civil rights activism makes her a significant figure in the history of Black August. A scholar and a revolutionary, Davis’s work extends beyond activism. Her academic contributions have provided deep insights into issues of race, class, and gender in America.

Her involvement with the Communist Party and the Black Panther Party, along with her arrest in 1970 in connection with a courtroom shootout, spotlighted systemic issues within the American judicial and prison systems. Davis’s trial and subsequent acquittal became a rallying point for international solidarity movements. Her advocacy for prison reform and abolition remains relevant in Black August’s focus on liberation and justice.

3. Ericka Huggins – Education As Liberation

Ericka Huggins is a former leader in the Black Panther Party. She has advocated for social issues and human rights, emphasizing the importance of education in empowering Black communities. Her work within the Party included the development of community programs. These were crucial in providing education and necessities to children in Black neighborhoods.

Huggins was arrested in 1969 on conspiracy charges, which were later dropped. Still, her 14-month incarceration, during which she taught herself to meditate as a means of survival, highlighted the resilience often required of Black women activists. Post her political career, she continued her advocacy through educational initiatives, focusing on youth and restorative justice programs, aligning with the principles of Black August by promoting systemic change.

4. Elaine Brown – Leadership In Action

Elaine Brown is another luminary whose contributions to the Black Panther Party and beyond have significantly impacted the Black August Movement. Brown took over the leadership of the Party in 1974 and was one of the few women to have held such a position in the movement.

Under her leadership, the Party shifted more towards electoral politics and community services, which included setting up the Oakland Community School, a groundbreaking educational project for the community. Her focus on education and political engagement presents a model of activism that ties directly to the tenets of Black August, celebrating not only resistance but also constructive community building.

Legacies Remembered

The Black August Movement, enriched by the contributions of these formidable women, reminds us of the breadth and depth of Black women’s involvement in the struggle for justice and equality. Each of these women brought their unique perspectives and strategies to the movement, collectively shaping a legacy of resistance that continues to inspire generations.

As we reflect on their lives and contributions, we are reminded of the ongoing struggles against systemic oppression and the importance of recognizing and preserving the history of those who have fought valiantly for freedom and human rights. 

The stories of Assata Shakur, Angela Davis, Ericka Huggins, and Elaine Brown not only define the movement’s essence but also underscore women’s critical role in the fight for racial justice. Their legacies, marked by courage, intellect, and determination, are fundamental to understanding and celebrating the true spirit of Black August.