Which civil rights leader is widely credited with making the term "Black Power" popular in the 1960s?

Introduction / Context:
The phrase "Black Power" became a powerful political slogan in the United States during the 1960s. It expressed a demand for racial pride, self determination, and more militant strategies within the broader civil rights struggle. This question asks you to identify the civil rights leader most closely associated with popularizing that term, an important figure in modern United States history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The time period is the mid to late 1960s.
• The term "Black Power" gained national and international attention during civil rights marches.
• Several leaders contributed to the movement, but one leader's use of the phrase is particularly famous.
• The correct answer should reflect common textbook and exam references.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is associating the slogan "Black Power" with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and its leader Stokely Carmichael. While others such as Willie Ricks helped coin or promote the phrase, Carmichael's public use during the 1966 Meredith March made it widely known. Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, and other figures influenced the movement but are not usually credited with popularizing these exact words.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Stokely Carmichael was a leader in SNCC and later associated with more radical positions on race and power. Step 2: Remember that during the 1966 march in Mississippi, he used the phrase "Black Power" in speeches that drew media attention. Step 3: Recognize that this event helped spread the term nationally and internationally. Step 4: Examine option a, Stokely Carmichael, and connect him with SNCC and the slogan. Step 5: Consider option b, Willie Ricks, who helped introduce the phrase but is less commonly named as the figure who made it famous. Step 6: Note that Martin Luther King Jr is more closely associated with nonviolence and the phrase "I have a dream," not "Black Power." Step 7: Understand that Malcolm X and Rosa Parks are important figures but are not generally cited as the ones who spread this specific slogan.

Verification / Alternative check:
History books and exam materials frequently state that Stokely Carmichael popularized the term "Black Power" during the 1966 Meredith March. While they sometimes mention Willie Ricks as an organizer who used the phrase, they nearly always highlight Carmichael's role in bringing it into the national spotlight. This consistency across sources supports choosing option a.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b, Willie Ricks, did play a part in promoting the phrase but is less widely credited in exam oriented summaries. Option c, Martin Luther King Jr, advocated nonviolent civil disobedience and preferred different language. Option d, Malcolm X, influenced Black Power ideas but did not popularize this exact phrase. Option e, Rosa Parks, is associated mainly with the Montgomery Bus Boycott, not Black Power slogans.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes choose Martin Luther King Jr or Malcolm X whenever they see a civil rights question, without reading carefully. Another pitfall is assuming that the person who inspired a movement must also have coined or popularized every slogan. To avoid this, remember that Stokely Carmichael and SNCC stand out when you see the phrase "Black Power."

Final Answer:
Stokely Carmichael