Mr. George Floyd

In memory of Dr. Maya Angelou, our family sends prayers of consolation and strength to Mr. George Floyd’s family. As well, we send prayers to communities and police departments across America for inclusivity and understanding. We are grateful for the effort to reach the verdict, but we know we must stay attentive for the upcoming sentence and understand nothing will bring back George Floyd. There have been cases before and after, as stories continue to develop, and although it can be tiring we know we must carry on. It pains us to have to hope for accountability when we need to progress to a place and system where all people are treated with dignity and respect. We, the Angelou Johnson family, commit to exercising our voice through voting, creating, and supporting initiatives that promote equity and inclusion in our diverse communities and world. We must all work to eradicate the centuries of prejudice that have generated the suspicion, hate, and injustice that have separated us. It is only through this difficult effort that America’s dream can be fully realized.

- The Angelou Johnson Family

“We, this people, on this wayward, floating body
Created on this earth, of this earth
Have the power to fashion for this earth
A climate where every man and every woman
Can live freely without sanctimonious piety
And without crippling fear

When we come to it
We must confess that we are the possible
We are the miraculous, the true wonder of this world
That is when, and only when
We come to it.”

– Maya Angelou, “A Brave and Startling Truth”