July 13 …

Black Lives Matter (BLM) began as the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter and grew into a decentralized movement challenging anti-Black violence and systemic racism across the United States and internationally.

BLM is generally considered to have begun on July 13, 2013 by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi after the acquittal of the accused in the 2012 killing of Trayvon Martin. The phrase and hashtag were first circulated as a response to perceived failures of justice.

The movement gained national momentum through massive street protests following the 2014 killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO. BLM has continued to advocate for justice following the deaths of individuals such as Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and others.

The BLM movement is rooted in a rich history of Black-led resistance to racial violence and exclusion in the United States, which spans from abolitionism and the struggles during Reconstruction to the Civil Rights Movement. It addresses modern issues like policing, mass incarceration, and social disparities. BLM frames these challenges through abolitionist and intersectional perspectives that emphasize the experiences of queer and transgender Black individuals, women, and other marginalized members within Black communities.

The initiators — Garza, Cullors, and Tometi — organized and institutionalized the movement by founding the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation. Furthermore, local chapter leaders and allied officials like Cori Bush and Brittany Packnett Cunningham have worked to connect grassroots protests to policy changes and electoral politics.

In addition to the three movement initiators, key participants have included local organizers and national figures such as DeRay Mckesson, Johnetta Elzie, Bree Newsome, Tamika Mallory, Shaun King, and numerous grassroots chapter leaders. Eyewitnesses and citizen journalists like Darnella Frazier, whose video of the murder of George Floyd ignited global outrage, have also been crucial in raising public awareness and propelling mobilization efforts.

The movement’s advocacy has significantly benefited Black communities that experience disproportionate levels of police violence and mass incarceration. Victims’ families seeking accountability, racial justice organizations, and broader criminal justice reform efforts have also benefited. In addition, BLM’s visibility sparked increased attention to mental health resources, community investments, and the cultural acknowledgment of Black experiences.

Key outcomes of the movement include widespread public demonstrations — most notably the protests in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd, which reportedly drew millions of participants. This caused heightened awareness of systemic racism, shifts in corporate and cultural dialogues, including the renaming of places, removal of statues, and initiatives for workplace and institutional diversity. Local policy reforms in various jurisdictions — such as police oversight, restrictions on certain tactics, and budget reallocations — were enacted.

The movement has seen the growth of grassroots chapters and nonprofit organizations that leave a lasting impact on politics, media, and the arts. However, its decentralized nature has also sparked discussions about governance, fundraising, and strategy within and outside BLM-affiliated organizations.

Founders and associated activists have received numerous awards and recognition from various institutions. Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi have been extensively featured in major media, acknowledged for their civic leadership, and invited to speak at universities and international forums. Individual contributors and allied organizations also have earned civic awards, humanitarian honors, and literary recognition for their work in racial justice and advocacy.

The Black Lives Matter movement keeps reshaping the national conversation. By applying grassroots pressure at the national and local levels, BLM will continue to transform policy, culture, and the struggle for racial justice.