RALEIGH, N.C. — The George Floyd Memorial Center (GFMC) is planning a Day of Enlightenment on the anniversary of Floyd's death.

What You Need To Know

  • George Floyd Memorial Center is planning of Day of Enlightenment

  • The goal is to raise money and remember George Floyd

  • Merchandise will be available for purchase and to show support

George Floyd was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Family members who still live in the state started the GFMC nonprofit, which is headquartered in Raleigh.

George's uncle, Roger Floyd, is one of the founders of the nonprofit. Floyd said the first act of business is a Day of Enlightenment on May 25.

"The Day of Enlightenment is the day that the world really woke up to what we've really been talking about for the last hundreds of years," Floyd explained.

The memorial center is selling merchandise, including shirts, hats, masks and bracelets, in remembrance of his nephew.

"We want to make sure that, just like 9/11, we're going to make sure May 25 is celebrated every single year going forward," Floyd said.

That's the day, in 2020, 46-year-old George Floyd was murdered by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter on April 20, 2021.

"It's just so heartbreaking, even to this day," Floyd said. "And I didn't realize the emotions that I had pint up until the verdict was read. But, it wasn't so much the fact that Chauvin was guilty, it's just that George is gone."

He said the Day of Enlightenment will be used as a fundraiser to carry out the mission of GFMC. According to the website, the center will feature online programs, an interactive urban art museum, educational programming and special events.

"We're not going to talk about it, we're going to put forth the action to make it happen," Floyd added. "The eradication of, basically, inequality, social inequality, systemic racism."