His image-holding a rifle on the steps of the Washington state capitol building, flanked by Black men gripping guns as law enforcement officers and others stand by-is one of the most iconic photographs from the Black Power movement during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Elmer Dixon, who at age 17 co-founded the Seattle Chapter of the Black Panther Party, was protesting gun control laws during an era when the Panthers' top mission was to provide armed patrols to protect Black people from beatings and killings by police.
Now, half a century later, after George Floyd's killing under a police officer's knee awakened America and the world to an urgent quest to stop police brutality, dismantle institutional racism, and ensure equality and justice for all, Dixon's mission continues.
In boardrooms and training facilities across the US and globe, Dixon parlays his revolutionary roots into a results-driven curriculum for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for companies, organizations, and universities.
Over three decades, Dixon's company has trained more than 600,000 people at 200 companies-including Microsoft, United Airlines, and PepsiCo-that have hired Executive Diversity Services.
He is a popular guest lecturer in Europe, including France, Finland, Spain, Italy, and Ireland, where he speaks on many topics pertaining to diversity and inclusion, including, "The Challenge of Policing in Diverse Communities." After delivering a TEDx Talk at University of Tulsa, he intends to speak at their organizations in Brazil, New Zealand, Asia, Australia, Africa, and Europe.
Die Standing: From Black Panther Party Leader to Global Diversity Advisor is Elmer Dixon's life story that can help instruct today's social justice activists on how to organize the community based on the successful strategies of the Black Panther Party to achieve change in a continued climate of police brutality, institutional racism, and vast socioeconomic discrepancies for Black and Brown people. Dixon showcases the Panther's 10-Point Platform and Program and how it remains relevant, applicable, and effective for change in 2023 and beyond.
With a foreword by former Black Panther Party Chairman Bobby Seale, this book sets the record straight about the altruistic mission of the Black Panther Party, whose image has been maligned in media, movies, and minds as angry, gun-toting, misogynistic thugs.
On the contrary, the Panthers started a free breakfast program for children... distributed free groceries to families... opened schools... founded health clinics... and provided patrols to protect people from police abuse. They did what they felt the government was not doing for Black people. And now, their 10-point plan can serve as a blueprint for the social justice movement today.
Industry Reviews
"Elmer Dixon values what matters most to him: justice, inclusion, maximizing potential, building relationships, love of family and faith.
In his new book, Elmer shares his life's journey with stories about these ideals, including when he co-founded the Black Panthers in Seattle, to the present day where he leads his own consulting firm, teaching and training business leaders and college students about multicultural communications, diversity, conflict management, and more. He shares what it takes to bring people together from all walks of life to achieve personal and organizational success.
I have learned many lessons and hard truths about myself from my work with Elmer Dixon and so can you, when you read Die Standing: From Black Panther Party Leader to Global Diversity Advocate."
- S. Gary Snodgrass
EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer (Ret), Exelon Corporation
"Elmer Dixon is and has been, without question, a man committed.
Committed to whom: "To the People."
Committed for what purpose: To convince the people and their leadership to take responsibility to free themselves from the oppression and domination of illegitimate authorities.
Committed why: In order for the people to pursue "Freedom, Justice, and Equality."
It should be understood that to be a member of the Black Panther Party was a very serious matter: Elmer knew then, and he knows now, that to be a member of the Party, means and meant that you were willing to die to end the oppression of the people.
Power to whom: Power to the People!"
- Dr. Albert W. Black Jr.
Sociology and African American studies professor
University of Washington
