Black lives matter.

We shouldn’t even need such a statement. And yet here we are.

Police brutality and systematic racism continue to overwhelmingly affect the Black community.

The Black Lives Matter movement began in 2013 with the social media hashtag, #BlackLivesMatter, in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin. The movement picked up momentum following the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and George Floyd, to name just a few who have senselessly lost their lives.

February is Black History Month here in the United States, so this month we are highlighting the stories of organizations who are working towards racial justice, racial reform, and racial reconciliation. We are elevating the voices of individuals who are leveraging their imagination and innovation to bring attention to the Black experience across the country. 

This is in no way meant to be a comprehensive overview of the BLM movement. Nor is it a one-off attempt at centering Black voices in this work. The Philanthropy Journal works diligently to ensure that our content is inclusive, and will continue to elevate diverse voices in all that we do.

With gratitude,

Sandy