Celebrating the Families of Legacy
Philonise Floyd
George Floyd’s Brother
Who was George Floyd?
George Floyd was a 46-year-old Black man whose tragic death at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25, 2020, became a catalyst for a global movement against police brutality and racial injustice. His murder, captured on video and witnessed by millions, ignited protests worldwide, demanding accountability, systemic reform, and an end to racially motivated violence. In the wake of his death, activists, policymakers, and communities mobilized to push for meaningful legislative changes, police reform, and broader discussions on systemic racism. His legacy continues to inspire ongoing efforts toward justice, equality, and social change.
Family Representative:
His family, led by his brother Philonise Floyd, has been at the forefront of the fight for justice, tirelessly advocating for police reform, accountability, and meaningful change to prevent future tragedies.
Wanda Cooper-Jones
Ahmaud Arbery’s Mother
Who was Ahmaud Arbery?
Ahmaud Arbery was a 25-year-old Black man whose life was senselessly taken while he was jogging near Brunswick, Georgia, on February 23, 2020. He was pursued, confronted, and fatally shot by two armed white men, with a third individual recording the incident on video. The disturbing footage, which later surfaced publicly, sparked national and international outrage, drawing attention to the pervasive issues of racially motivated violence, vigilantism, and systemic injustice in the United States. Ahmaud’s death became a catalyst for a renewed push for civil rights, leading to widespread protests and legislative efforts aimed at addressing hate crimes and ensuring greater accountability within the justice system. His name now symbolizes the urgent need for racial equity, and his story continues to inspire the fight for justice and reform.
Family Representative:
Wanda Cooper-Jones has emerged as a powerful and compassionate advocate for justice, transforming her unimaginable pain into a driving force for change. As the founder of the Ahmaud Arbery Foundation, she has dedicated herself to honoring her son’s legacy by supporting families affected by racial violence, promoting mental health awareness, and advancing initiatives that foster equity, education, and social reform. Through her unwavering commitment, she continues to be a leading voice in the national movement for justice, accountability, and lasting change.
Tamika Palmer
Breonna Taylor’s Mother
Who was Breonna Taylor?
Breonna Taylor was a 26-year-old emergency medical technician (EMT) whose life was tragically cut short when she was fatally shot by Louisville police during a botched raid on her home on March 13, 2020. The officers, executing a no-knock warrant, forcibly entered her residence, leading to a chaotic and fatal exchange of gunfire. Her death became a rallying cry for justice, sparking nationwide protests and amplifying calls for police accountability, reform, and an end to no-knock warrants. Breonna’s name remains a powerful symbol in the fight against racial injustice, inspiring activism and legislative efforts aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.
Family Representative:
Her mother, Tamika Palmer, has been a relentless advocate for justice in her daughter’s name, tirelessly working to hold law enforcement accountable and push for meaningful police reform. Through her activism, she continues to amplify Breonna’s story, fighting for systemic change to prevent similar tragedies and ensure justice for other families affected by police violence.
Who was Eric Garner?
Eric Garner was a 43-year-old father whose life was tragically taken on July 17, 2014, when he was placed in a fatal chokehold by New York Police Department (NYPD) officers in Staten Island, New York. The encounter, which was captured on video, showed Garner repeatedly stating, “I can’t breathe,” as officers restrained him—words that would later become a defining rallying cry in the fight against police brutality and systemic racism. His death sparked national outrage, fueling protests and strengthening the momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement. Garner’s case highlighted the urgent need for police accountability, criminal justice reform, and the end of excessive force, inspiring ongoing advocacy efforts in the pursuit of justice and policy change.
Gwen Carr
Eric Garner’s Mother
Family Representative:
His mother, Gwen Carr, has become a powerful voice in the fight for police reform and racial justice, transforming her grief into advocacy. She has dedicated herself to seeking accountability, pushing for policy changes, and amplifying the voices of families affected by police violence. Through her relentless efforts, she continues to fight for meaningful reform to ensure that no other family has to endure the same tragic loss.
Stevante Clark
Stephon Clark’s Brother
Who was Stephon Clark?
Stephon Clark was a 22-year-old father of two whose life was tragically cut short when he was fatally shot by Sacramento police officers in his grandmother’s backyard on March 18, 2018. Officers, responding to reports of a suspected vandal, fired 20 rounds at Clark, later claiming they mistook his cell phone for a firearm. The incident, which was captured on police body cameras, ignited national outrage, sparking widespread protests and renewed calls for police accountability, transparency, and reform. His death became a symbol of the ongoing struggle against excessive force and racial injustice, fueling advocacy efforts aimed at addressing systemic issues in law enforcement and ensuring justice for victims of police violence.
Family Representative:
His brother, Stevante Clark, has emerged as a passionate activist, dedicating himself to the fight for systemic change, police accountability, and community investment to prevent future tragedies. Through his advocacy, he continues to honor Stephon’s legacy by pushing for policies that promote justice, uplift marginalized communities, and create lasting reform within the criminal justice system.
Wanda Johnson
Oscar Grant’s Mother
Who was Oscar Grant?
Oscar Grant was a 22-year-old father whose life was tragically taken when he was fatally shot by a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police officer in Oakland, California, on New Year’s Day 2009. The incident, which occurred on a train platform after Grant and several others were detained by officers, was captured on video by bystanders, making it one of the earliest high-profile cases of police brutality recorded and widely shared with the public. His unjust death sparked nationwide outrage, leading to protests demanding police accountability and justice. Grant’s story later inspired the critically acclaimed film Fruitvale Station, bringing further attention to the systemic issues of racial profiling and excessive force within law enforcement. His legacy continues to fuel conversations on police reform and the ongoing fight for racial justice.
Family Representative:
His mother, Wanda Johnson, has been a tireless advocate for police accountability, justice, and systemic reform, dedicating her life to supporting families who have endured similar tragedies. Through her activism, she continues to fight for meaningful change, amplifying the voices of those impacted by police violence and working to ensure that no other family suffers the same heartbreaking loss.
Rowvaughn Wells
Tyre Nichols’s Mother
Rodney Wells
Who was Tyre Nichols?
Tyre Nichols was a 29-year-old FedEx worker, devoted father, and passionate skateboarder whose life was tragically cut short after being brutally beaten by Memphis police officers during a traffic stop on January 7, 2023. After enduring a violent assault at the hands of law enforcement, he succumbed to his injuries three days later, sparking widespread national outrage and renewed calls for police accountability, transparency, and systemic reform. The shocking nature of his death, captured on video, reignited urgent conversations about the use of excessive force, racial bias in policing, and the need for comprehensive law enforcement reform. His story has since become a symbol of the ongoing fight for justice, inspiring activism and legislative efforts aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.
Family Representative:
His mother, RowVaughn Wells, and stepfather, Rodney Wells, have become powerful voices in the fight for justice, police accountability, and systemic reform in honor of Tyre’s legacy. Through their unwavering advocacy, they continue to demand change, amplifying the urgent need for law enforcement transparency, policy reform, and protections against excessive force to ensure that no other family endures the same heartbreaking loss.