Stokely Carmichael

Real World Example

Stokely Carmichael was an influential leader in the civil rights movement, best known for popularizing the term "Black Power," which emphasized racial pride and self-determination for African Americans. As a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), he played a key role in organizing voter registration drives in the South, particularly the "Freedom Summer" in Mississippi. His actions mattered because they helped shift the focus from integration to empowering Black communities economically and politically. Today, his legacy continues to inspire movements like Black Lives Matter, which seek to address systemic racism and promote equality. For instance, his emphasis on community self-reliance encourages local activism, where people work together to support each other and fight for social justice in their neighborhoods.