#BlackFutureMonth: Millennial-Run Movements Advancing Black Lives Today

A look at young people who are taking charge.

Ella Baker - Ella Baker organized the Young Negroes Cooperative League in New York City and was a national director for the NAACP. She also helped form the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, was a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and helped the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee support civil rights activism on college campuses. (Photo: Courtesy of Library of Congress)

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Black Movements: What's Next? - Many organizations have played a part in empowering African-Americans, including the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, co-founded by Ella Baker (pictured above), the Southern Leadership Christian Conference, the Black Panther Party, the Black press and others. Today, new movements have sparked in social justice, media, culture and technology that are being spearheaded by millennials. BET.com takes a look at young leaders of the day who are taking up the torch and advancing the lives of Blacks in society. (Photo Credit: Library of Congress)

#BlackLivesMatter - Women who were subjected to police brutality were often left out of the #BlackLivesMatter chants. Stay focused and sensitive toward the injustices affecting all African-Americans. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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#BlackLivesMatter - #BlackLivesMatter is what many bill as the name of the current movement toward equal rights. The hashtag, which drove information about protests happening in cities around the world, was started by Opal Tometi, Patrisse Cullors and Alicia Garza. Since launching in 2012, following the Trayvon Martin killing, the activists have expanded their movement to 14 chapters around the country. "Black Lives Matter affirms the lives of Black queer and trans folks, disabled folks, black-undocumented folks, folks with records, women and all Black lives along the gender spectrum," their website says. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

ThisIstheMovement.org and WeTheProtestors.org - DeRay (l.) and Netta's (r.) lives were forever changed following the killing of Michael Brown and the protests that followed in Ferguson, Missouri. Both have live-tweeted demonstrations since August 2014 in Ferguson and in other cities. To keep their followers informed of news related to social justice issues, they launched their newsletter ThisIstheMovement.org. In January, they created WetheProtestors.org, a resource for protesters to gather tools and resources to continue the movement. (Photos from Left: DerayMckesson via Twitter, Netta via Instagram)

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ThisIstheMovement.org and WeTheProtestors.org - DeRay (l.) and Netta's (r.) lives were forever changed following the killing of Michael Brown and the protests that followed in Ferguson, Missouri. Both have live-tweeted demonstrations since August 2014 in Ferguson and in other cities. To keep their followers informed of news related to social justice issues, they launched their newsletter ThisIstheMovement.org. In January, they created WetheProtestors.org, a resource for protesters to gather tools and resources to continue the movement. (Photos from Left: DerayMckesson via Twitter, Netta via Instagram)

Millions March NYC - Friends Synead Nichols (l.) and Umaara Elliott (r.) made history in New York City, organizing a march against police brutality on Dec. 13, 2014. The Millions March NYC brought out 50,000 people and continued on for at least eight hours from Manhattan to Brooklyn. "We are a new generation of young multi­racial activists willing to take up the torch and we’re not going to stand for this anymore," Nichols said, according to their website. (Photo: Synead Nichols via Twitter)

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Millions March NYC - Friends Synead Nichols (l.) and Umaara Elliott (r.) made history in New York City, organizing a march against police brutality on Dec. 13, 2014. The Millions March NYC brought out 50,000 people and continued on for at least eight hours from Manhattan to Brooklyn. "We are a new generation of young multi­racial activists willing to take up the torch and we’re not going to stand for this anymore," Nichols said, according to their website. (Photo: Synead Nichols via Twitter)

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Dream Defenders - The Dream Defenders became nationally known after they staged a 31-day protest at the Florida capitol in 2013. They were calling for Gov. Rick Scott to hold a special legislative session to reform the state's "Stand Your Ground" law following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin. Phillip Agnew is the executive director and has been featured on several news outlets discussing the social and economic injustices faced by Black and brown people in society.  (Photo by Mickey Adair/Getty Images)

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Hands Up United - Following the killing of Michael Brown, Hand Up United!, a project by ETNA (Environmentalism Through Inspiration and Non-Violent Action), a non-profit charitable organization, was launched to empower community members to fight racial injustice. Once a month, they host Books and Breakfast to provide a space for residents to engage in discussions on social justice issues and politics. Their Tech Impact program gives students ages 16 to 30 an opportunity to learn how to code to help build the presence of local businesses. (Photo: Hands Up United) 

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Hands Up United - Following the killing of Michael Brown, Hands Up United!, a project by ETINA (Environmentalism Through Inspiration and Non-Violent Action), a non-profit charitable organization, was launched to empower community members to fight racial injustice. Once a month, they host Books and Breakfast to provide a space for residents to engage in discussions on social justice issues and politics. Their Tech Impact program gives students ages 16 to 30 an opportunity to learn how to code to help build the online presence of local businesses. (Photo: Hands Up United) 

For Harriet - ForHarriet.com celebrates the "fullness of Black womanhood" through personal storytelling and the reporting of the issues that matter most to Black women in the news, love, life and culture. Named after Harriet Tubman, the site was founded in 2010 by Kimberly Foster. More than 150,000 are fans of the site on Facebook. (Photo: For Harriet)

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For Harriet - ForHarriet.com celebrates the "fullness of Black womanhood" through personal storytelling and the reporting of the issues that matter most to Black women in the news, love, life and culture. Named after Harriet Tubman, the site was founded in 2010 by Kimberly Foster. More than 150,000 are fans of the site on Facebook. (Photo: For Harriet)

Travel Noire - In September 2013, Zim Ugochukwu founded Travel Noire as a tool and resource for young Black travelers. Their popular Instagram page has more than 60,000 followers and features Black millennials doing everything from posing near the coast of Cape Town, South Africa to vacationing in San Pedro, Belize. In a short time, Travel Noire has become a source of inspiration in showcasing the possibilities that come with venturing abroad.  (Photo: Travel Noire)

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Travel Noire - In September 2013, Zim Ugochukwu founded Travel Noire as a tool and resource for young Black travelers. Their popular Instagram page has more than 60,000 followers and features Black millennials doing everything from posing near the coast of Cape Town, South Africa to vacationing in San Pedro, Belize. In a short time, Travel Noire has become a source of inspiration in showcasing the possibilities that come with venturing abroad.  (Photo: Travel Noire)

HBCU Buzz - HBCU Buzz launched in 2011 and has since become the No. 1 site for news happening on the campuses of historically Black colleges and universities. The site brings the news from a student's perspective. Their goal is to "promote HBCU pride and HBCU unity in order to enhance the black college experience and uplift the perception of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities," their site states. HBCU Buzz has more than 70,000 Twitter followers keeping tabs on their movement.(Photo: HBCU Buzz)

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HBCU Buzz - HBCU Buzz launched in 2011 and has since become the No. 1 site for news happening on the campuses of historically Black colleges and universities. The site brings the news from a student's perspective. Their goal is to "promote HBCU pride and HBCU unity in order to enhance the black college experience and uplift the perception of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities," their site states. HBCU Buzz has more than 70,000 Twitter followers keeping tabs on their movement.(Photo: HBCU Buzz)

Code 2040 - Two young leaders of color have decided to take the issue of diversity in Silicon Valley into their own hands. Laura Weidman Powers and Tristan Walker created Code 2040, a non-profit organization for Black and Latino students interested in the tech world. The organization prepares and connects students to internships and jobs. Code 2040's goal is to continue to close the gap in technology and innovation fields as Black or Latinos make up only 5 to 7 percent of the industry.  (Photo: Code2040 via Twitter)

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Code 2040 - Two young leaders of color have decided to take the issue of diversity in Silicon Valley into their own hands. Laura Weidman Powers and Tristan Walker created Code 2040, a non-profit organization for Black and Latino students interested in the tech world. The organization prepares and connects students to internships and jobs. Code 2040's goal is to continue to close the gap in technology and innovation fields as Black or Latinos make up only 5 to 7 percent of the industry.  (Photo: Code2040 via Twitter)