HOUSTON – You know his name and you’ve heard his story.
“George Floyd…say his name George Floyd,” said George Floyd’s niece Bianca Williams.
It’s been nine months since Houston native George Floyd was killed. On Saturday, his alma mater Jack Yates High School and several others honored his life in a special way.
“Floyd was a great man. Everybody loved him in the community,” said Floyd’s brother Rodney.
A massive “Black Lives Matter” mural, spanning two blocks along Alabama Street in front of Jack Yates High School, was unveiled during a private ceremony for Floyd’s family and community members in Houston’s Third Ward.
“I’m just overwhelmed today. I thank you all so much this is beautiful. The murals, the billboards it’s just amazing,” said George’s sister Latoya Floyd.
Jonah Elijah created the masterpiece with help from volunteers.
MORE: Yates High School graduate bringing Black Lives Matter mural to Third Ward community
“We also have George Floyd’s jersey and on the other end before black, we have the Yates lion and it says the Lions United together,” he said.
The mural was commissioned by Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Houston Society for Change, and 88 C.H.U.M.P., a non-profit social activism organization formed by Floyd’s former Yates football teammates, according to a release.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee presented Elijah with a special award.
“Your efforts are most deserving of the respect, admiration and commendation of the United States Congress,” she said.
Lee also presented the Floyd family with the George Floyd Justice and Policing Bill. It will focus on justice for the family, train police officers and help provide money to communities to re-imagine policing.
“I think that is awesome and whatever our family can do hopefully the community is behind us which I know they are,” Latoya Floyd said.
The ceremony included a ribbon-cutting, balloon release, motorcycle procession and Texas Southern University drumline.
George Floyd may be gone, but his death sparked a movement and his name will always be remembered.
“This means a lot to my family and I know it would mean a lot to my uncle. Continue to stand with us. This is the beginning of a long fight, united together stronger than ever,” Bianca Williams said.