Elbert Howard (January 5, 1938 – July 23, 2018),[1] better known as Big Man, was an American civil rights activist and author who was one of the founding members of the Black Panther Party.

After receiving an honorable discharge from the Air Force, Howard moved to Oakland, California.

While attending Merritt College, Howard met Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton.

In Memphis, he served on the boards of directors of several African American progressive educational institutions.

[10] He was a founder of the Police Accountability Clinic & Helpline of Sonoma County, and a board member of KWTF, a community radio station.