Ideas worth spreading

An interview with the founders of Black Lives Matter

1,480,250 views | Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi • TEDWomen 2016

Born out of a social media post, the Black Lives Matter movement has sparked discussion about race and inequality across the world. In this spirited conversation with Mia Birdsong, the movement's three founders share what they've learned about leadership and what provides them with hope and inspiration in the face of painful realities. Their advice on how to participate in ensuring freedom for everybody: join something, start something and "sharpen each other, so that we all can rise."

Born out of a social media post, the Black Lives Matter movement has sparked discussion about race and inequality across the world. In this spirited conversation with Mia Birdsong, the movement's three founders share what they've learned about leadership and what provides them with hope and inspiration in the face of painful realities. Their advice on how to participate in ensuring freedom for everybody: join something, start something and "sharpen each other, so that we all can rise."

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Learn more about the Black Lives Matter movement.

About the speakers

Writer, activist

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Alicia Garza launched a global movement with a single Facebook post that ended with the words: “Black lives matter.”

Patrisse Cullors

Artist, organizer

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Activist Patrisse Cullors created the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter as a tonic against years of injustice by police forces and prisons.

Human rights activist

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By taking the phrase "Black Lives Matter" onto social media, Opal Tometi helped turn a hashtag into a networked movement.

Family activist

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Mia Birdsong advocates for strong communities and the self-determination of everyday people.

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This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Learn more about the Black Lives Matter movement.