George Floyd Memorial Foundation presents $25K scholarship to Fayetteville State

The George Floyd Memorial Foundation presented a $25,000 scholarship to Fayetteville State University Friday at an emotional ceremony complete with music and praise, four days before the first anniversary of Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police.

Floyd's sister Bridgett Floyd lives in Hoke Co. She started the foundation last year. She said the donation is a gift to honor the memory of Floyd, who was born in Fayetteville, and to invest in future generations.

"I believe in making change for those around you, near you, far away. It's very important," Floyd said at the ceremony.

"My brother wanted to do a lot of things in life. He did do many things in life, but what he did not do..." Floyd said, her voice breaking. "I will be here. I will stand to be his voice, to be the change, and continue his legacy."

"That’s what it’s all about – generational stamps," she told WRAL News after the ceremony. "We need to put things in place for our kids’ kids. That’s what I’m here to do."

"You have people in other countries that have been affected by my brother's death," she added. "That just lets me know that it's time for a change. And we will be that change."

George Floyd's cousin Wendell Floyd and stepmother Ruby Floyd also spoke with WRAL.

"We need this to continue to build his legacy. you know," Wendell Floyd said. "We see his legacy as being that for change of what's happening with systemic racism."

University officials said the check will serve as seed capital for a new George Floyd Scholarship Fund at the school, which will help students in a variety of disciplines.

"This act by the Floyd family is indeed a testimony to their desire to make certain not only that the name lives on, but that his name remains memorialized in a most meaningful way for the generations to come," said Chancellor Darryl Allison at the event.

FSU senior Dabria Bullock knows exactly what this scholarship will mean for the students who receive it.

"Without scholarships, I probably would not be in college at all," Bullock said. "It gave me many opportunities, such as internships every summer, just not having to worry about my financial needs while being in college and to be able to actually focus on my academic studies."

Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin declared Friday "George Floyd Day" in the city.

The presentation is one of a series of events to honor Floyd in the coming days throughout the country, including a march in Minneapolis Sunday and a commemoration on May 25th, the date of Floyd's death.

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