The Seattle chapter of the Black Panther Party was established in spring 1968 and was the party’s first chapter outside of California. Aaron Lloyd Dixon—then 19 years old—was appointed captain of the Seattle chapter by party co-founder Bobby Seale. Party membership reflected the diverse communities it served with programs that included military training, political education classes, providing free breakfasts for children, free transportation to visit family members in prison, and a free medical clinic.