Who We Are

Vision

At BLM Philly, our vision is an inclusive, politically and economically self-sustaining and self-determining, healthy, and free Black community.

Mission

BLM Philly, a local chapter of the BLM Global Network, is a Black organization that seeks to disrupt the [multiple/overlapping/layered, countless] violences against Black people and elevates the experiences and leadership of our most marginalized. We work to build local Black power and a healing, joyful, liberatory movement through grassroots organizing, political education, youth development, and coalition building.

About Us

In the summer of 2012, #BlackLivesMatter was born. BLM is created by co-founders, Patrisse Kahn-Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi, in response to Trayvon Martin’s murderer, George Zimmerman, being acquitted for his crime. It gained more traction On August 9, 2014, when Officer Darren Wilson murdered 18 year Mike Brown in cold blood in the middle of Canefield Drive in Ferguson, Missouri.

That same summer, local Black activists and organizers in St. Louis issued a call for Black organizers, healers, artists, attorneys, and independent media folks to come to Ferguson to demand justice for Mike Brown. This National Weekend of Action was organized by Darnell Moore and Patrisse Kahn-Cullors. On August 28, a Northeast (NYC, PHL, NJ) contingency of about 30 activists bused for 20 hours from NYC to Ferguson, Missouri for the Black Life Matters Freedom Ride. Months after the life-changing experience in Ferguson, the BLM Northeast (NYC, Philly, NJ participants on the ride) hold their first of several meetings on December 10th. Soon after they began exploring more city-based meetings.

In February of 2015, two of the original Ferguson Freedom Riders decided to initiate the chapter and filed the paperwork necessary for Philadelphia to have an official chapter. Months later, in May, BLM Philly held the first local chapter meeting at the St. Paul’s Baptist Church then, the chapter has flourished launched a number of initiatives including, letter campaigns, Black Joy and Healing circles, vigils, and forums.

Local Chapter Structure

There are three tiers of involvement:

This chapter is committed to non-hierarchical leadership. We are committed to collective accountability and deliberation.

Guiding Principles

About Herstory

Global Network

Summer 2012: #BlackLivesMatter was born

BLM is created by co-founders, Patrisse Kahn-Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi, in response to Trayvon Martin’s murderer, George Zimmerman, being acquitted for his crime.

August 2014: Ferguson

On August 9, 2014, Officer Darren Wilson murdered 18 year Mike Brown in cold blood in the middle of Canefield Drive in Ferguson, Missouri.

August 2014: Black Life Matters Freedom Ride

Local Black activists and organizers in St. Louis issue a call for Black organizers, healers, artists, attorneys, and independent media folks to come to Ferguson to demand justice for Mike Brown. This National Weekend of Action was organized by Darnelle Moore and Patrisse Kahn-Cullors. On August 28, a Northeast (NYC, PHL, NJ) contingency of about 30 activists (including Taylor Johnson-Gordon and Azsherae Gary) bus for 20 hours from NYC to Ferguson, Missouri for the Black Life Matters Freedom Ride.

BLM Philly

February 2015: BLM Network Chapters begin formally forming

Azsherae Gary and Taylor Johnson-Gordon initiate the BLM Philly Chapter application.

May 2015: First BLM Philly Meeting

  • Our first chapter meeting is held on May 7, 2015 at St. Paul’s Baptist Church. Approximately 15 people in attendance.
  • Initiatives: #AiyanasDreams, Philly Tent City, #KeishaJenkins, & #BlackJoy

Spring 2016: Reboot

  • First meeting post hiatus is February 2, 2016 at Vare Recreation Center
  • Initiatives: Black Healing Matters & “To ____ with Love” letter campaign
  • November Retreat - Membership Process and Organizational Structure are created
  • Re-launch/Open Meeting is January 28, 2016

2020: Philly Black Radical Collective

BLM Philly is a part of the Black Philly Radical Collective. We, the radical Black organizing community in Philadelphia, make the following demands upon the City of Philadelphia to abolish the structures of policing and related state violence. Until our demands are met, we will be in the streets.

Herstory

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