Comrade Sisters: Women of Black Panther Party Book Tour Coming To NYC

Photo: Book
It’s estimated that six out of ten Black Panther Party members were women. While these remarkable women were regularly making headlines agitating, protesting, and organizing, these same women were building communities and enacting social justice, providing food, housing, education, healthcare, and more for the people. Comrade Sisters is their story.

A long time coming, Comrade Sisters (ACC Art Books, October 9, 2022) is the first photo book that focuses on the monumental achievements of the women of the Black Panther Party. The book is co-authored by celebrated photojournalist Stephen Shames and former Panther leader and activist Ericka Huggins. The centerpiece of Comrade Sisters is over 50 contemporary interviews with the women of the BPP and their families who vividly recall their personal experiences from that time working on behalf of the most vulnerable citizens in their communities.

Upcoming Book Event Schedule:
Monday, October 24
NY Public Radio's The Green Space / 44 Charlton Street, New York City
6:30pm: Discussion and Double Book Signing with authors Jeffrey Henson Scales (In a Time of Panthers: Early Photographs), and Stephen Shames and Ericka Huggins (Comrade Sisters) and former party member Regina Jennings moderated by Dr. Deborah Willis.
For more info, go here: https://www.thegreenespace.org/event/black-panthers-photography-double-b...

Tuesday, October 25
Schomburg Center for Research & Black Culture / 515 Malcolm X Blvd, New York City
6:30pm: A conversation and photography presentation with co-authors and former party members Lynn C. French and Yasmeen Majid followed by book signing.
For more info, go here: https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2022/10/25/talks-schomburg-comrade-...

Wednesday, October 26, Brooklyn
Greenlight Bookstore / 686 Fulton Street, Brooklyn
7:30pm: An evening of photography and storytelling with co-authors and former BPP member Denise Oliver-Velez followed by book signing.
For more info, go here: https://www.greenlightbookstore.com/event/stephen-shames-ericka-huggins-...

Thursday, October 27, Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Circus / 150 Nevins Street, Brooklyn
6pm: A Book Signing and Talk with co-authors and former BPP member Yasmeen Majid.

Friday, October 28 – New York City
Columbia University (Buell Hall) / Broadway and West 116th Street, New York City
4pm: Panel discussion with co-authors and former BPP members Claudia Chesson-Williams, Lynn C. French and Flores Forbes followed by book signing.
For more information, go here: https://afamstudies.columbia.edu/events/comrade-sisters-women-black-pant...

Friday, October 28 – New York City
McNally Jackson Books / 4 Fulton Street, New York
7pm: Presentation and book signing with co-authors and former BPP member Rosemari Mealy.
For more info, go here: https://www.mcnallyjackson.com/event/stephen-shames-and-ericka-huggins-p...

Saturday, October 29 — Brooklyn
Free Black Women’s Library / 226 Marcus Garvey Boulevard, Brooklyn
2pm: Panel Discussion with co-authors followed by book signing.
For more information, go here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comrade-sisterswomen-of-the-black-panther-p...

Sunday, October 30 — Brooklyn
Unnameable Books / 615 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn
5pm: Discussion with co-authors followed by book signing.

About the Authors:

Ericka Huggins is an activist, former political prisoner, and leader in the Black Panther Party. She has devoted her life to the equitable treatment of all human beings, beyond the boundaries of race, age, culture, class, gender, sexual orientation, ability and status associated with citizenship. For the past 40 years she has lectured across the country and internationally. She spent 14 years in the Black Panther Party, and eight years as Director of the renowned Oakland Community School (1973-1981).

Stephen Shames has authored 15 monographs, and his images are in the permanent collections of 40 museums and foundations. His work is dedicated to promoting social change and sharing the stories of those who are frequently overlooked by society. His two previous Panther books are Power to the People: The World of the Black Panthers by Stephen Shames and Bobby Seale (Abrams, 2016) and The Black Panthers (Aperture, 2006).