George Floyd’s Uncle, Roger Floyd, Plans 5/25 Day of Enlightenment In Raleigh
RALEIGH, NC – Roger Floyd, the paternal uncle of George Floyd, Jr., is looking to turn a tragedy into positive change through the building of the George Floyd Memorial Center (GFMC) in Raleigh. Last year, the world watched as George Floyd, who was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, was maliciously murdered on May 25th by a police officer in Minnesota. The nation mourned as they watched in outrage by viewing a video that featured him repeatedly saying, “I can’t breathe.”
As we approach this one-year reflection point, the community is invited to join GFMC for two virtual global community events to reflect on the life and legacy of George Floyd and honor him by transforming the pain associated with that tragic day into one of hope and change. Attendees will hear from a host of speakers including family members of George Floyd and their ideas on how to keep the momentum of lasting change alive.
On Monday, May 24th, the George Floyd Memorial Center (GFMC) will host the first of two virtual community events. The first one on Monday will be the “Enlightenment & Purpose Rally”, engaging people who have wanted to get involved but didn’t know what they could do to help. During this event, attendees will hear from family and supporters about the purpose and vision for the Center, be given a call to action to help generate more awareness for the Center, and they will be given social media tools to use to express themselves on how George Floyd’s story changed them on May 25th.
On Tuesday, May 25th, which was declared the official George Floyd Day of Enlightenment by the Mayor of Raleigh, NC, the honorable MaryAnn Baldwin, the “Enlightenment & Reflection Gallery” virtual event will focus on community reflections on how individuals have changed because of George Floyd’s story and what the Center will focus on for the next 365 days. May 25th Zoom – Registration Required https://us02web.zoom.us/
The GFMC’s 5/25 D.O.E. grassroots initiative is designed to engage the world by recognizing a day of enlightenment versus a day of anger and pain. The GFMC wants to change the narrative from hurt to hope. Although the tragedy of how George Floyd Jr.’s life was taken woke the world up, the GFMC wants to change the tragedy and make it triumphant for societies around the world.
“The goal is to get people thinking about what was changed inside of them on 5/25 as they reflect on their day of enlightenment,” said Frederick Huff, Program Director, GFMC.
“We will not languish in victimhood,” said Roger Floyd, Chief Impact Officer for the GFMC, known affectionately as Uncle Roger. “We will be triumphant, and George’s death will not be in vain.”
“He changed the world, as his daughter so prolifically stated, and we’re here to make sure it keeps changing, for the better,” said Thomas McLaurin, Executive Director for the GFMC, and George Floyd Jr.’s cousin. “Join us in being the change we want to see. We will continue to unapologetically move the needle forward for real change.”
All attendees of the 5/25 D.O.E. will be encouraged to post pictures or a 60-second video of themselves on social media using #525DOE and #GeorgeFloydMC to share how George Floyd changed them. The 5/25 D.O.E. items can be found at www.cafepress.com/georgefloydmcstore as a fundraising effort to support this and other initiatives created by the Floyd family to honor George’s life and legacy.
As Roger Floyd talks about GFMC, he envisions a place that will be a melting pot for people of all races and ages. Hoping to turn the narrative towards racial neutrality as people enter the building, the main center will house urban artwork that was expressed in wall murals throughout the country. These art pieces will be displayed for everyone to view as they enter and walk through the hallways. People will be overcome by the message depicted in the artwork for a cosmopolitan community founded with the intention of removing racial boundaries. The artwork will stand as a reminder of the changes needed to remove boundaries that led to a horrific death in Minnesota.
The other major goal of the center will be to provide the resources for technological training for individuals that are looking to improve their careers through the knowledge that comes from information technology. “I hope the center will allow for satellite offices to operate within schools across parts of rural North Carolina in an effort to improve the lives of anyone seeking to understand the technology world regardless of race, socio-economic status, or age,” Floyd explained. He further hopes the satellite centers will cause large computer industry giants to expand to open locations in rural areas and give the people inherent better career options.
As discussions continue with the mayor and other City of Raleigh government officials, one of the issues needing to be solved is the ability to fund such a Center. The Center will not charge the city, as it will be completely funded through grants, individual, and corporate donations. As the Center proposes to not cost the city money, it is very easy for the officials to say yes to the building that has the potential to generate such positive impacts on the community.
It is very clear the vision of the family is to use what happened last year to improve society and enhance the lives of everyone it touches. As Roger Floyd speaks of the center and 5/25 D.O.E., his voice echoes anticipation and excitement, as he understands he has the opportunity to turn, as he calls it, “hurt into hope.” It is through the proposition of this center that North Carolina looks to change the narrative of George Floyd from victim to victorious.
For more information, visit GeorgeFloydMemorialCenter.org