As the sun climbed higher on the morning of his food distribution event at the Elk’s Lodge, 73-year-old Jeffery Jennings, co-founder of the California Black Panther Party, arrived amidst a gathering of eager volunteers.
Just two weeks prior, Jennings, alongside other former Panthers, had spoken at City College about the ongoing fight for social justice, emphasizing the importance of community action.
Today, the lodge had become a hub of hope as Jennings and a team of dedicated volunteers prepared to distribute food to local families and the homeless.
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as a growing line formed outside the lodge, waiting for the doors to open.
Around 10:30 a.m., I reflected on the significance of this gathering, both for those in need and the volunteers who dedicated their time to serve.
Among the volunteers, Antojuan Scott, a 51-year-old veteran, shared his sentiments as he engaged with the community and anticipated the distribution.
“It feels good, man, you know that you’re helping somebody who needs it,” he remarked.
Born in 1949 in southeastern San Diego, Jennings was raised under the oppressive Jim Crow laws that governed life until their end in 1967.
He vividly recalled an early encounter with racism at the age of four, which left an indelible mark on his life.
“I break away from her, and I run into the white men’s bathroom, and I didn’t notice it until the whole thing was over,” Jennings reminisced, explaining how this incident sparked a fire within him to fight against an unjust system.
By 1967, Jennings had joined the San Diego chapter of the Black Panthers, motivated by a desire to make a difference in a climate fraught with unrest.
“Everybody was fed up,” he recalled, referencing the riots which erupted across the country in response to systemic oppression.
He became the lieutenant of security for his chapter, ensuring the safety of speakers at rallies and working alongside civil rights icons like Stokely Carmichael and Angela Davis.
Another individual at the Elk’s Lodge, 73-year-old Henry Lee Wallace V, spoke of his own challenging experiences that led him to join the Black Panthers.
“I was a band leader at 15 years old,” he said, recounting a terrifying moment during a riot in Richmond, California.
After witnessing violence, Wallace decided to abandon his music career to become involved with the Black Panther Party.
Despite a challenging path, Jennings’ activism kept him hopeful and steadfast during his incarceration spanning nearly five decades.
On November 27, 2024, just one day before Thanksgiving, Jennings found himself back in the community, dedicated to helping others.
This moment was especially poignant for him, as it coincided with his wedding anniversary.
Having faced a staggering 247 years to life sentence due to a series of past felony convictions, Jennings had thought such a release was unattainable.
Yet, a letter in 2022 notifying him of a case review altered his fate.
“We’re gonna take the 247 years away,” the judge advised him, leading to a redefined sentence of just 47 years, allowing him to reintegrate into society.
These days, Jennings dedicates his time to leading food distributions at the Elk’s Lodge on the corner of Commercial St. and Hensley St.
Every Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Jennings and volunteers feed families in need and deliver meals to the homeless on 17th and 18th streets.
With Jennings and Wallace at the helm, the food distribution efforts have seen a shift, moving from predominantly non-African American volunteers to a more diverse group underscoring the community’s support system.
Their commitment to serving the community exemplifies the enduring spirit of the Black Panther Party and their legacy of activism.
As Jennings noted, many within the community express astonishment at witnessing former Panthers actively participate in charitable endeavors, which humanizes the historical movement for many of those interested.
“Amazement, because they’ve been following the Panther Party through the news,” Jennings explained, reflecting on the misconceptions surrounding the movement.
Assisting in the food distribution offered me a firsthand experience of the Panthers’ commitment to community service.
While many only recognize their history through headlines, being present and witnessing the gratitude from those receiving assistance was a vivid reminder of the power of activism, a legacy that Jennings continues to nurture.
As the morning unfolded at the Elk’s Lodge, it was clear that the fight for social justice is far from over, and for Jennings, Wallace, and the volunteers, the work continues to uplift those in need.
image source from：https://sdcitytimes.com/top-stories/2025/04/23/black-panther-continues-community-outreach-in-san-diego-after-incarceration-of-jeffery-jennings/
