H. Rap Brown, born as Hubert Gerold Brown in 1943, is an American civil rights activist and politician. He became a prominent figure in the Black Panther Party and later served as the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) during the 1960s. Brown is known for his passionate speeches advocating for racial justice and equality. In 1967, he gained national attention for his controversial statements, including the phrase "violence is as American as cherry pie." His activism focused on issues such as police brutality and economic inequality within the African American community. Brown's work has left a lasting impact on the civil rights movement.