3RD ANNUAL RISE & REMEMBER
May 25-27, 2023 | Various Locations

George Floyd Global Memorial (GFGM) and the community at George Floyd Square will host a portion of their 3rd Annual Rise & Remember celebration at 38th and Chicago in Minneapolis, MN. 

Rise and Remember exists to hold in remembrance those we have lost to the pervasive impacts of systemic racism, and to gather people to pursue racial justice and equity. Throughout Rise and Remember, we will host a two-day conference, a candlelight vigil, a gala, and a festival. Our vision is that through this annual event, we can inspire people to rise to the occasion, come together in community, and build racial equity. 

Rise & Remember Event Schedule

Candlelight Vigil

May 25 | 8 PM - 10 PM
George Floyd Square

Ubuntu Conference

May 25 & 26
Best Buy Headquarters

GFGM Gala

May 26 | 6 PM
Paisley Park, Chanhassen

Rise & Remember Festival

May 27 | 1 PM -7 PM
George Floyd Square

Ubuntu: Make the Impossible, Possible

Our theme for Rise & Remember 2023 is Ubuntu: Make the Impossible, Possible. Ubuntu is a South African word and philosophy translated as, “I am, because we are.” It derives from the Xhosa (Kōs-uh) language and acknowledges the relationship between one's self and humanity. Ubuntu directly challenges western ideals of individualism with ideals of collectivism. Essentially, it values people over profit, community over individualism, and collective power over individual power. When we see how our humanity is inextricably bound up in the humanity of others, we will be moved to guarantee liberation, equity, and justice for all.

Event Details

Candlelight Vigil

Ubuntu teaches us that our humanity is deeply intertwined with the humanity of others. We cannot achieve our full potential in isolation; we rely on one another to succeed. It is through this interconnectedness that anything is possible, and it is through hope that we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We hold them close and remember that they are a part of us. The Candlelight Vigil is a moment to honor those we have lost and to renew our hope for a better future.

Candlelight Vigil  Public Event | Free
May 25 | 8 pm - 10 pm | George Floyd Square

Come and stand in solidarity as we remember George Floyd and the impact his death had on the world. George's death spotlighted the real and disparate impacts of police brutality on marginalized communities as well as inspired the world to demand justice for these victims. To this day, George's family and the community continue to grieve and fight for racial equity.


These candlelight vigils serve as sacred moments of remembrance. Through the focal point of George's death we know there is a collective hope; hope for a world that sees us, hears us, and rallies alongside us. At these candlelight vigils, we WILL reflect, we WILL center our hope, and we WILL find solace in our community.


Offerings and performances throughout the evening from Shawngram Institute for Performance & Social Justice, Brass Solidarity Band, 29:11 Choir, MN Orchestra, and more. 

Rise & Remember Conference

When we pursue our goals on our own, it can be a long and lonely journey - even when we achieve success, we miss out on the joy of sharing our accomplishments with others. Through collective action, we not only learn and grow together, but we also celebrate and prosper together. Anything is possible when we act collectively. This conference is dedicated to overcoming individualism and motivating everyone to take part in collective action.

Rise & Remember Conference
Ubuntu Rise $95 | Ubuntu Remember $205

May 25 & 26  | Best Buy Headquarters

The Rise & Remember Conference aims to bring together change agents, thought leaders, and movement builders committed to racial justice and equity. The conference will host a range of topics, including: cultural preservation, racial healing, policy reform, and building power through large organizations and coalitions.

It will feature several plenary speakers, skills workshops, and panel discussions throughout the experience.

Join us and those invested in fighting for racial justice and equity. Expect to meet community organizers, policy makers, cultural curators, artists, activists, and corporate executives who are committed to the work.

Attendees will up-skill, build connections, and broaden their perspective on how to grow and sustain movement around racial justice and equity. 

GFGM Gala

Belonging is one of the five fundamental human needs that we all share. We are born into communities and find a sense of purpose through these connections. Our goal is not materialistic, but rather focused on empowering every individual to reach their full potential. The gala offers a chance to come together and enjoy a one-of-a-kind culinary experience from world renowned Sioux Chef, Sean Sherman of the BIPOC Foodways Alliance, as well as special music from surprise musical guests. Join us as we celebrate our shared purpose as a community.

GFGM Gala  Ticketed Event | Early Bird  $195
May 26 | 6 pm - 10 pm | VIP Tour 5:30 pm | Paisley Park

Join us on May 26th for an unforgettable evening at the George Floyd Global Memorials Gala. Enjoy live performances from South African choir 29:11, 3-time Grammy Award winner Jamecia Bennett, Ike Floyd, Sounds of Blackness, Buddy McLain (father of Amir Locke), and more!! 

Our keynote speaker will be Ndaba Mandela, author, political consultant, and Grandson of Nelson Mandela. And to top that all off, world renowned chefs Sean Sherman (owner of OWAMNI and Times 100 most influential people of 2023) and Mecca Bos (founder of BIPOC Foodways Alliance) have specially curated a one-of-a-kind food experience for all attendees to enjoy. 

There is so much more we have in store for you at the Gala. Join us as we celebrate George Floyd's legacy and continue the fight for justice & equity. Get your tickets now!!

Rise & Remember Festival

Each individual is inherently valuable. That inherent value is tied to their humanity, surpassing barriers of race, gender, class, or religion. Shifting from a self-centered mentality of success and happiness, pouring into others to help them lead a full and abundant life has become the focus of humanity. The festival serves as an opportunity to bring communities together, bridging fabricated lines and recognizing the humanity of Black people. Join us in this celebration of unity and shared humanity.

Festival  Public Event | Free
May 27 | 1 pm-7pm | George Floyd Square

On May 25th, 2020, George Floyd was murdered by the Minneapolis Police Department at the intersection of 38th Street E and Chicago Avenue S. People from all over the world gathered to protest, stand in solidarity, and demand justice. In the wake of George's death, thousands of people came together in community and occupied what is now known as George Floyd Square.

Join us at the 3rd Annual Rise & Remember Festival to honor George Floyd and celebrate each other, as well as the work we have done together. In the spirit of Ubuntu, we pay recognition to our neighbors, caretakers, protesters, community members, and the thousands of people who came and made George Floyd Square possible.

The festival will feature:

*Live performances *Self-care fairs *Sports zones *Kid's zones and free food for kids *Art exhibitions *Food from a diverse set of vendors *Mutual Aid *Black-Owned business vendors *Inspirational speakers *A concert from a national artist *AND MORE!

How Can I Help?

We need you! There are hundreds of volunteer opportunities throughout all three days. We could use all the help we can get. Feel free to sign up as a team!

Rise & Remember heavily depends on supporters to make this event possible. All donations will go towards making this event possible. 

Be an official sponsor of Rise & Remember! Join hundreds of companies and organizations paving the way. 

Support Rise & Remember
WAYS TO GIVE

PAYPAL

The George Floyd Global Memorial is an approved non-profit organization with payment processing set up through PayPal.  You may send sponsorships directly through PayPal by clicking the link below.

 GFGM PayPal 

MAIL A CHECK

Please make checks payable to George Floyd Global Memorial.

Memo: Rise and Remember 2023

Mailing Address:
George Floyd Global Memorial
3501 Chicago Avenue S
Minneapolis, MN 55407

YOUR COMPANY PORTAL

If your company has a designated portal that requires registration from the George Floyd Global Memorial, please contact Jeanelle Austin, Executive Director, at jeanelle@gfgmemorial.org. We are an approved 501(c)3 tax exempt organization since October 2020.

George Floyd Global Memorial
Company Phone: 612-302-3433
Company Email: Welcome@georgefloydglobalmemorial.org

Mailing Address:

George Floyd Global Memorial
3501 Chicago Avenue S
Minneapolis, MN 55407

2022 Sponsors

GLOBAL SPONSOR

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota 

UnitedHealthcare

RED LEVEL SPONSOR

BESTBUY 

BLACK VISIONS

BLACK LEVEL SPONSOR

HealthPartners

VIBE SET

BOOTS ON THE GROUND PARTNERS


29:11 International Exchange

38th & Chicago

612M*A*S*H

Agape Movement Co.

Calvary Lutheran Church 

Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center

City Food Studio 

Color Of Change

Community Needs Community

Craft & Crew Hospitality

CTUL

D’amico Catering

Emmett Till Legacy Foundation

Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence

First Tee Minnesota 

General Mills


George Floyd Square 

Georgia Fort

Gibson Dunn

Heritage Youth Sports Foundation 

Home Base 

Howard University

Listen Media Usa

Longfellow Nokomis Messenger 

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon

Memorialize The Movement

Million Artist Movement 

Minnesota African American History Museum & Gallery

Minnesota Chorale

Minnesota Orchestra

Minnesota Nurses Association

MN Teen Activists

Need T-Shirts Printed, Inc.


Northwestern Health Sciences University 

OneCause 

People Helping People 

People’s Closet 

Pimento Relief Services  

Racial Agency Initiative

Running Water Entertainment

Soulspeak Expressions

Southwest Connector

St John’s Episcopal Church

Stillwater-Companies 

Total Wine & More 

Twin Cities Interfaith Movement Chaplains 

University of Minnesota Women’s Volleyball 

W&W Protection