Black Lives Matter Month
Every year on June 1st, people across the United States and beyond recognize Black Lives Matter Month. This month stands out as a time to actively oppose racism and racial injustice.
Drive authentic support for Black-owned businesses and creators through curated shopping, content, and community events that align brand values with social justice advocacy.
- Spotlight Black-owned brands in your supply chain and feature their stories across social channels
- Host in-store or virtual 'discovery events' celebrating Black artists, authors, and entrepreneurs
- Create educational content series on systemic inequality paired with actionable ways customers can support change
- Launch limited-edition collaborations with Black creators and donate proceeds to racial justice nonprofits
Campaign ideas7
- Host a 28-day social media spotlight series featuring Black-owned businesses—one feature per day across Instagram, with employee recommendations and stories (inspired by RPA's approach). Drive real discovery, not just awareness.
- Partner with Black creators, activists, and voices to produce long-form educational content on systemic racism, police reform, and economic equity. Feature on TikTok, YouTube, and branded blog.
- Launch a donation matching or pledging program: customers/employees can pledge to racial justice organizations, foundations, or local community programs. Transparent tracking of funds and impact.
- Create a 'Black Excellence' campaign celebrating Black leaders, innovators, and contributors in your industry. Partner with publications and influencers to amplify authentic stories (avoid surface-level tokenism).
- Develop a year-round initiative (not just June), pledging concrete budget commitments, hiring/mentorship programs, and supplier diversity goals—with quarterly public reporting on progress.
- Curate a resource hub or digital collection on your platform (films, books, podcasts, organizations) focused on Black voices, history, and racial justice—accessible year-round.
- Host or sponsor community events: film screenings, panel discussions with activists/organizers, educational workshops on civic engagement, workplace equity training for employees.
Social angles6
- "Say their names": Share stories of individuals affected by police brutality and systemic racism. Honor their memory. Use respectful, powerful visuals. #BlackLivesMatter #SayTheirNames
- "Beyond the post": Show what YOUR brand is actually doing—hiring initiatives, donation pledges, partnerships with Black-owned vendors. Transparency builds trust. #ActuallyActing #AccountabilityMatters
- "Support Black-owned": Spotlight Black creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses. Ask followers to share their favorites. Build community, not performativity. #SupportBlackOwned #BlackExcellence
- "Education & action": Share resources, historical context, and ways people can get involved in local racial justice work. Make it easy to participate. #LearningAndDoing #RacialJustice
- "Employee voices": Let Black employees and team members share their experiences, perspectives, and what they need from the company. Authentic, unscripted. #OurVoicesMatter #Allyship
- "Year-round commitment": Post quarterly updates on your company's racial equity progress: hiring diversity, supplier spend, donations made. Show ongoing work, not one-month performativity.
Ad copy starters5
“"Silence is complicity." We're listening, learning, and taking action. Here's what we're doing this month—and beyond.”
“Black lives matter. Period. We're donating $X to racial justice organizations, pledging to [hiring goal], and committing to real change. Transparency matters.”
“This month we're amplifying Black voices—creators, educators, leaders, entrepreneurs. But our commitment doesn't end in [Month]. See our year-round pledge.”
“Don't just feel it. Do it. Here's how you can support racial justice: [resource hub link]. We're matching donations to [organizations]. Join us.”
“Celebrating Black excellence every day, not just [Month]. Introducing our new initiatives on workplace equity, supplier diversity, and community investment.”
Tips4
- ❌ DON'T post a black square or generic statement and call it a campaign. ✅ DO back up messaging with concrete action—money, hiring, partnerships, structural change. Consumers can smell performative activism.
- ❌ DON'T center your brand or patting yourself on the back. ✅ DO amplify Black voices, tell Black stories, and let the community lead. Allyship means stepping back and making room.
- ❌ DON'T treat this as a one-month event. ✅ DO make it year-round: embed Black representation in your product, hiring, supplier relationships, and content strategy all year.
- ❌ DON'T lecture audiences. ✅ DO invite participation: Ask people to share stories, pledge support, nominate Black-owned businesses, engage in dialogue. Make it a conversation, not a sermon.
Black Lives Matter Month, celebrated each June, marks a significant period in the ongoing fight against racial inequality and injustice.
This observance grew from the grassroots activism that followed high-profile incidents of racial violence and discrimination in the United States.
It officially began following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, which ignited widespread protests and the creation of the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag in 2013.
The movement gained additional momentum from subsequent events, such as the police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014.
These incidents highlighted systemic issues within law enforcement and the broader societal context, bringing them to the forefront of national and global consciousness.
Over the years, Black Lives Matter has evolved into a decentralized network of activists and organizations, each advocating for systemic change to end racism and promote social justice.
Black Lives Matter Month serves as a time to reflect on past struggles, celebrate the progress made, and take action toward achieving racial equality.
It’s a period when individuals and communities come together to advocate for meaningful change in policies and societal attitudes, ensuring that the voices calling for justice and equality are heard loud and clear.
Dive into Books
Kick off the month by diving into a sea of literature written by Black authors. It’s like a treasure hunt for wisdom and insight. Each book offers a new perspective or a historical gem.
Support with Your Wallet
Get adventurous with your shopping habits! Hunt down local Black-owned businesses and spend there. It’s like a safari in your own town, discovering hidden gems of cuisine, art, and more.
Movie Night Magic
Organize a movie marathon featuring films that explore Black history and experiences. Make it a mix of drama, documentaries, and perhaps a superhero flick to keep things lively!
Art Crawl
Attend or set up an exhibit of Black artists in your community. It’s a visual feast that celebrates the vibrant and diverse expressions of the Black experience through art.
Walk or Run for Justice
Lace-up for a local “Justice Walk” or “Freedom Run.” Each step can be a fun and healthy way to make a statement and show solidarity.