Black Panther Activism and Accessibility 

Emory Douglas, the Minister of Culture for the Black Panther Party (BPP) from 1967 to the early 1980s, played a crucial role in creating accessible, impactful political art. He often utilized and sometimes redrew the Black Panther logo, first developed by Black women working on the ground for the political party. (See Designer Observer.) His approach to graphic design and communication was deeply rooted in making information legible, understandable, and widely available.

Douglas’ signature aesthetic featured bold, high-contrast black-and-white illustrations that were easy to decipher, even at a distance. He used simplified, expressive figures with thick outlines and minimal shading, making them immediately recognizable. His designs were used in posters, flyers, and murals, making political information more visually and physically accessible to those who might not read traditional newspapers. Douglas' approach to graphic design—especially in creating visually striking, easily understood political art—helped shape later movements that centered accessibility and information access as a core value.