Seven years ago, #BlackLivesMatter was founded in response to the murder of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin and the subsequent acquittal of his killer. What initially started as a homegrown mission to eradicate anti-black racism and state-sanctioned violence has become a global movement that strives for freedom and justice for black people around the world.
The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has been steadily growing since its inception, but there’s something that feels different about this point in our history. In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis police officer, the rallying cry for the end of systemic racism is ringing louder, and more people, businesses, and those in positions of power are listening.
The following articles are intended to showcase some of the progress that’s being made as a result of the BLM movement. In addition, if all you know about BLM is what you’ve heard in the news or seen on social media, we hope to also challenge you to learn more.
Visit Black Lives Matter to understand their mission and see the whole picture. While you’re there, check out the #WhatMatters2020 campaign, an effort to mobilize BLM supporters to vote for real change this November.
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Free Resources to Combat Bias at Work
Here you’ll find a list of resources from LinkedIn Learning — now available for free — that review current thinking and best practices on essential diversity, inclusion and belonging topics such as bias, allyship and accountability.
Tentative Agreement Would Ban Chokeholds, Neck Restraints by Minneapolis Police
The Minneapolis Police Department will ban officers from using chokeholds and neck restraints and strengthen the requirements for officers to intervene if a colleague is using excessive force under a new deal negotiated between the city and the state.
No-Knock Warrants Banned in Louisville in Law Named for Breonna Taylor
The Louisville, Ky., Metro Council has voted unanimously to ban no-knock warrants. The legislation was titled Breonna’s Law, in honor of a woman who was killed during a raid on her home earlier this year.
Confederate Statues Are Coming Down Following George Floyd’s Death – Here’s What We Know
The death of George Floyd is leading to the removal — by protesters in some cases and city leaders in others — of contentious statues that have riled some residents for decades, if not longer.
Reddit Names Y Combinator CEO Michael Seibel as Alexis Ohanian’s Replacement
Reddit has named Y Combinator CEO Michael Seibel to its board of directors. In addition to running the well-known accelerator, Seibel also co-founded the live streaming company Justin.tv before it transformed into Twitch.
How Black Lives Matter Changed the Way Americans Fight for Freedom
Freedom fighters around the globe commemorate July 13 as the day that three Black women helped give birth to a movement. In the five short years since #Black LivesMatter arrived on the scene — thanks to the creative genius of Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometti — the push for Black liberation from state-inflicted violence has evolved into one of the most influential social movements of the post-civil rights era.
New DE&I Roles Spike After Racial Justice Protests
Job openings for diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) roles surged after the nationwide protests that followed the death of George Floyd in late May.
SHRM Names Blue Ribbon Commission on Racial Equity
Members of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Racial Equity have been named as part of Together Forward @Work, a new multipronged initiative of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Launched this week, the initiative is focused on addressing racial inequality in the workplace.
Starbucks Flips: Employees Can Now Wear Black Lives Matter Attire
After a torrent of social media backlash Thursday evening following a report that employees were banned from wearing clothing or accessories that mentions the Black Lives Matter movement, Starbucks announced Friday it not only would allow staffers to don BLM attire, the company would make 250,000 specialty shirts supporting the movement.