3 YEARS

“When I heard about this event, I was so excited because I grew up in this area of Minneapolis… and I wanted to contribute in some kind of way,” said J. Darnell Johnson, author of children’s books and Black science fiction and fantasy. “Bad things happened here. And now it’s good things happening, and I wanna be part of that.” Johnson was among the many Black-owned businesses featured at the Rise & Remember Festival at George Floyd Square on May 27, 2023. The three-day event included a candlelight vigil on May 25 to commemorate the legacy of George Floyd, a conference, a gala at Paisley Park to raise funds for the George Floyd Global Memorial, and an outdoor festival featuring art, music, performances and a self-care fair. The Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center (3749 Chicago Ave.) is hosting a GFGM rememory exhibit through Aug. 19.

(Photo by Jill Boogren)