The movement is founded by three radical Black feminist organizers–Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi–in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin's murderer, George Zimmerman.

Black Lives Matter is a global movement, building a base of members who: "organize and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes" (BLM, n.d.).