Aunt and Cousin of George Floyd Encourage ‘Walking the Walk,’ Keeping Momentum Going
To kick off the College’s Black History Month celebration, NOVA welcomed Angela Harrelson and Paris Stevens, the aunt and cousin of George Floyd, on Thursday, Feb. 3. The important discussion took place in a hybrid format, allowing for virtual viewing as well as an in-person discussion at NOVA’s Regional Center for Workforce Education and Training on the Woodbridge Campus. NOVA thanks Micron Technologies for helping make this presentation possible.
The event was introduced by Dr. Anne M. Kress, president of NOVA, and Dr. Sam Hill, provost of the Woodbridge Campus. Dr. Nathan Carter, NOVA’s chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer served as moderator.
“NOVA is committed to ensuring that all students succeed and all communities prosper,” Kress said. “We are also committed to inclusive excellence and ensuring equity in student outcomes. Today’s discussion furthers that mission that helps us understand that many students, many people in our community continue to experience racial barriers to imagining a future of inclusive excellence.”
Kress continued, “With my time here today, I also want to extend my condolences to the family for their loss. We have all learned so much through this, but it has come at a remarkably painful price.”
Discussion centered on justice in the Black community and provided powerful remarks on the legacy of their family. Harrelson and Stevens spoke about the George Floyd Global Memorial, which started with community members leaving offerings and gifts and has now grown to over 3,000 remembrances such as portraits, drawings and signs. Stevens and Harrelson are the co-chairs of the George Floyd Global Memorial, and it has become a museum of sorts—a place of hope, healing, support and a communal place of belonging.
Harrelson, Floyd’s aunt, was a military veteran who served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force, and she is also a registered nurse. She spoke about Floyd as a young child. His family called him ‘Perry.’ She recalled her nephew as a youth and how he loved his family, his community and how he wanted to make a better life for his family.
“I draw my strength from people,” said Harrelson. “When Perry was killed, a lot of people around the world came to show me their love. Strangers showed me support. People from different languages, languages I couldn’t even speak. It was a dark place. I was angry; confused. And the people kept showing up and telling me ‘I care.’ What happened for me was their love became my nutrition to feed my strength to go on. That’s what happened.”
Stevens, also a nurse, spoke fondly of her cousin and how he made everybody feel special. She offered insights about her work with Harrelson and how young people can become involved in advocacy. She spoke of her children and how this may affect them.
“We need to keep walking the walk,” said Stevens. “This isn’t just a moment in time, this is a movement, a momentum to keep going and keep striving to get justice.”
The event was livestreamed and available to view for those unable to attend. To view online, go to NOVA’s Video On Demand service. (NOTE: this recording is only available for enrolled students and NOVA faculty and staff.) Visit https://online.nvcc.edu/videoservices/, click Academic Resources, scroll down to SSO Login (lower right of the screen), log in using your MyNOVA credentials and then scroll down to DEI-Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Submitted by:
Hoang Nguyen, Communications-PIO, HDNguyen@nvcc.edu