Originally started in 2012 after the tragic death of Florida teenager, Trayvon Martin, the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag has cycled through our social media accounts for some time. According to the movement’s website (blacklivesmatter.com), #BlackLivesMatter advocates for a series of issues ranging from the value of black male lives, to the respectability of trans people of color, to assessing the lack of value the criminal justice system places on people of color. The movement has symbolized a shift in the conversation away from appeasing communities of color to providing the proper avenues to voice their needs.

As a self-proclaimed “movement and not moment,” #BlackLivesMatter plans to continue the focusing of black issues and identities through convening people in locations across the country to identify their issues and organize them to create the spaces for dialogue. Through a series of national conferences, these convening sessions allow people to be connected to plan next steps. If interested in joining a meeting or being linked those involved in the movement, blacklivesmatter.com offers an online platform to become and remain abreast to all information regarding the matter.

Two major updates have ignited from the movement and have received recognition for their efforts in support of the cause. The March for Justice began during the winter of 2014 as a series of marches across the nation in response to the recent deaths of black men and women. At the hand of police, The March for Justice campaign spread under the #BlackLivesMatter umbrella was joined by thousands of men and women, from diverse backgrounds to bring about awareness for the social injustices and call attention to the efforts of those who were trying to change it. For a timeline visit The Guardian.

After Police Officer Darren Wilson was not indicted for the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, the city erupted in protests in demonstrations that soon spread across the country and worldwide. While some rioting occurred within the city between officers of the law and protesters defending Mike Brown’s honor, peaceful action was the response with the mantra “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” which gained worldwide attention.

As many events have happened in the near past to advance the movement, some critics believe much is to be done to continue that advancement. In Terrell Starr’s post on The Root he asserts the voices of transgender women of color have been silenced through the reign of police brutality and blatant disregard in the conversation about the value of black life. Lourdes Hunter, the executive director of the Trans Women of Color Collective, told Starr: “I think the black community needs to acknowledge the fact that they are being completely silent about the murders that have been happening in our community.”