The Baltimore chapter of the Black Panther Party was started in the summer of 1968. Some people that had heard and agreed with Huey Newton, Bobby Seale, and the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, which was based in Oakland, California, decided to start their own branch in Baltimore. Warren Hart was the principal leader in the beginning. The first office was on Eager Street near the Maryland State Penitentiary. Warren Hart went to Berkeley National Headquarters for orientation and to try and get Baltimore’s branch to be sanctioned. By the end of 1968 the Baltimore chapter of the BPP was recognized.

Warren Hart serving free breakfast. mdcivilrights.org