Born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in 1973, George Floyd played basketball and football at Jack Yates Senior High School. His talent earned him notoriety as a tight end, and he led the football team's 1992 Texas state championship. Floyd was later recruited to play basketball at South Florida State College in Avon Park, Florida. Floyd gained local notoriety by performing with popular Houston rapper DJ Screw and his Screwed Up Click under the name "Big Floyd."

Floyd's deep baritone flow on songs like "Sittin' on Top of the World" and "Freestyle-Sugar Hill" helped popularize the slowed-down rapping style known as "chopped and screwed." A devoted Christian, Floyd worked alongside pastor Patrick "PT" Ngwolo, Resurrection Houston Church, to distribute Bibles, set up baptisms, and reach out to those living in Cuney Homes Housing Projects. Floyd worked several jobs — at a local Salvation Army shelter, as a truck driver, and as a nightclub bouncer.

Described as a "shining light in the community," Floyd went out of his way to help others and encourage those in need. Stephanie Square, a neighborhood friend, told NPR, "He was always encouraging… he never stopped. All he did was encourage everyone and tell you words like, I'm so proud of you; you're going to make it; you're going to be an example to a lot of others. I think that's his legacy, and that's what we try to do - is to just continue to give back and do the same thing, encourage the younger ones."

NMAAHC photographers took the following photos during protests in Washington, D.C., from June 6 to June 19, 2020. We hope our collection and preservation efforts help future generations reflect on the global movement inspired by Floyd’s death.