From Hashtag to Movement

In 2013, Alicia Garza wrote a post on Facebook after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin. She ended it with three words that would ripple around the world: “Black Lives Matter.” What began as a personal declaration of love and grief for her community became a global rallying cry, signaling a new era of resistance.

Garza is more than the co-creator of a movement; she is a strategist, writer, and organizer whose work emphasizes the necessity of structure, planning, and longevity in activism. She reminds us that revolts are only the first step. True liberation comes from combining courage with strategy, outrage with infrastructure, and protest with policy.

“We are committed to love and justice, and to not letting the systems of oppression determine what our lives are worth,” Garza has said, framing activism as an act of care, responsibility, and vision. This month, we honor Revolt, Rebuild, Repeat, a theme that captures the rhythm of Black resistance across generations, from the revolts of enslaved Africans to contemporary movements for justice. Garza exemplifies this rhythm, demonstrating that rebellion is not enough without rebuilding, and rebuilding requires repetition, mentorship, and intergenerational transfer of knowledge.

Early Life and Formative Experiences

Alicia Garza was born and raised in Oakland, California, a city with a rich history of Black activism, from the Black Panther Party to labor movements and community organizing. Growing up, Garza experienced firsthand the ways systemic inequities shape daily life: disparities in housing, education, and policing, as well as the resilience and creativity of communities navigating these challenges.

From a young age, Garza understood the interconnectedness of justice—that fighting for racial equity meant addressing economic opportunity, healthcare, education, and political power simultaneously. These early lessons shaped her philosophy: movements are strongest when they are comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable.

“We have to make love visible in our work. Without care, no movement can last,” Garza has emphasized.

Her education in social work, coupled with years of grassroots organizing, gave her tools to translate passion into action, to connect local community needs to broader policy and cultural shifts, and to mentor the next generation of leaders in strategic activism.

The Birth of Black Lives Matter

In the wake of Trayvon Martin’s death and Zimmerman’s acquittal, Garza felt the urgency of grief transformed into purpose. She collaborated with Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi to co-found the Black Lives Matter Global Network, a decentralized, yet strategically connected movement aimed at challenging state violence, advocating for equity, and fostering collective empowerment.

“We are building the infrastructure so that love, care, and justice are not fleeting moments, but enduring systems,” she said of the movement’s philosophy.

BLM’s approach emphasized three core principles:

1. Community-centered organizing – ensuring those most impacted lead the conversation.
   
2. Policy-focused advocacy – connecting protest to actionable outcomes, from police reform to political education.
   
3. Intergenerational mentorship – preparing young organizers to sustain the work long after one protest or election cycle.
   

Garza’s insight was that hashtags can mobilize attention, but movements require systems, structures, and long-term vision. Black Lives Matter became a blueprint for 21st-century activism, demonstrating that digital tools, public protest, and grassroots organizing could converge to produce meaningful change.

Revolt, Rebuild, Repeat: Lessons in Rhythm and Strategy

The theme “Revolt, Rebuild, Repeat” reflects both historical continuity and contemporary strategy. Garza’s work embodies this cadence:

• Revolt: To refuse silence, to speak truth to power, to mobilize anger into action.
  
• Rebuild: To create sustainable structures—policy, community programs, educational initiatives—that protect and uplift Black lives.
  
• Repeat: To recognize that justice requires persistence, mentorship, and generational commitment.
  

Every era of Black resistance has followed this rhythm: the revolts of enslaved Africans demanded strategic planning; the civil rights marches were backed by organizing committees, legal strategies, and voter education campaigns; contemporary movements, led by figures like Garza, continue this lineage with digital tools, global solidarity, and intergenerational leadership.

“We don’t just protest, we plan. We don’t just march, we mentor. We don’t just cry, we build,” Garza explains, summarizing the philosophy of sustained resistance. Garza’s leadership underscores that revolts without rebuilding fade, and rebuilding without repeated action loses momentum. This principle is critical for anyone committed to structural and generational change.

Cultural Connections and Global Impact

Alicia Garza’s influence reaches far beyond the United States. The Black Lives Matter movement has inspired protests, policies, and cultural shifts worldwide. From London to Johannesburg, Paris to São Paulo, BLM’s principles resonate with people fighting systemic racism, state violence, and social inequities.

Culturally, Garza’s work has shaped art, music, and public discourse:

• Artists incorporate BLM imagery, slogans, and symbolism into visual and musical storytelling.
  
• Writers and poets invoke her principles to reflect on race, justice, and liberation.
  
• Educators and youth organizers adopt her framework for community empowerment and political engagement.
  

Garza’s insistence that activism must be both strategic and soulful makes her a bridge between historical movements and the realities of 21st-century resistance. Her work teaches that survival is political, and liberation requires infrastructure, care, and relentless action.

Building Durable Movements

One of Garza’s most transformative contributions is showing how grief, outrage, and anger can be channeled into sustainable political and social infrastructure. The Black Futures Lab, an initiative she leads, focuses on:

• Collecting and analyzing data to empower marginalized communities politically.
  
• Educating voters and community members to demand policies that reflect their needs.
  
• Creating mentorship networks that ensure young leaders inherit knowledge, strategy, and courage.
  

Through these initiatives, Garza demonstrates that organizing is not episodic; it is continuous, adaptive, and resilient. She models a 21st-century approach to liberation, one that combines the lessons of the past with the tools of the present.

“We’re building what we call love and power infrastructures. We’re showing that organizing is about joy as much as it is about struggle,” Garza explains.

Her philosophy reframes activism: it is not merely opposition to injustice, but construction of justice, with love, strategy, and mentorship at its core.

Legacy: Lessons for Today and Tomorrow

Alicia Garza’s life and work leave enduring lessons:

1. Organize beyond outrage – Movements need structures, data, and strategy to last.
   
2. Intergenerational leadership is essential – Knowledge must be passed down to sustain momentum.
   
3. Digital tools amplify but do not replace grassroots organizing – Tweets spark attention, but local institutions ensure survival and protection.
   
4. Liberation requires joy, care, and community – Movements flourish when participants are nurtured, supported, and inspired.
   
5. Resistance is rhythmic and iterative – Revolt, rebuild, repeat; protest, policy, persistence.
   

Garza’s story is a reminder that every generation inherits both the victories and the unfinished work of the last. To honor her is to build systems that protect, teach, and uplift Black lives, transforming outrage into tangible, lasting change.

Reflection Questions

How do we turn moments into movements?

What protections do we need for the next generation?

How can grief and anger be translated into long-term, structural change?

In what ways are we building intergenerational mentorship networks in our communities?

Explore Her Legacy

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