The Black Panthers essentially filled a void that the US government was never going to fill for the Black community. They also understood that for any sort of revolution to happen, they had to appeal to the working class regardless of color. Hampton was extremely young but insanely well-spoken for his age. He understood this well and never spoke in a demeaning or exclusionary way, despite how poorly the Black community was (and is) treated. The Black Panthers were responsible for creating a multitude of community programs that helped a lot of people left behind by their government and was centered around Black self-determination.

A small sample list of the programs they created:

• Free Ambulance
• Free Breakfast for Children (this program made a huge impact and is the most well known)
• Free Busing to Prisons
• Free Clothing
• Free Commissary for Prisoners
• Free Dental
• Free Employment
• Free Food
• Sickle Cell Anemia Research
• Police Patrols
• Seniors Against a Fearful Environment

By the end of 1969, free breakfast was served in 19 cities, under the sponsorship of the national headquarters and 23 local affiliates. More than 20,000 children received full free breakfast (bread, bacon, eggs, grits) before going to their elementary or junior high school. [source]