According to TMZ, the trademark was initially filed by a listener of the duo’s weekly racial justice radio show, Civic Cipher. The listener’s identity is unknown. Since then, ownership has been transferred to Ja and Ward, who also noted that any money made from the use of the phrase has been invested in Black and brown communities.

“We know that phrases like ‘White Lives Matter,’ ‘All Lives Matter,’ and ‘Blue Lives Matter’ continue to cause harm and to dilute the narrative that was intended to be established by Black Lives Matter,” Ja said.

Quinton Ward

Get relevant content delivered to you once a week