When the Black Lives Matter movement began in 2013, the three founders -- Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal (now Ayo) Tometi -- anchored its work in a list of guiding principles, developed through conversation with other activists. These principles commit the movement to empathy, loving engagement, and just action among its participants; affirm the importance of Black women, families, elders, and LGBTQ folk; and celebrate the strength and diversity of Black people in their communities and around the globe.
Now young people can explore these powerful principles in How We Can Live: Principles of Black Lives Matter -- the first children's book to include material from the founders' organization, the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation.
![](https://oregoned.org/sites/oea/files/styles/large/public/2023-06/how-we-live.jpg.webp?itok=rrag7MV1)
Suggested Further Reading
Learn More
Ready, Set, Grow!
![Members march down the street wearing red and carrying signs.](https://oregoned.org/sites/oea/files/styles/1530x1224/public/2023-04/ready-to-listen-1.png.webp?itok=KEKlTF7h)