Five years ago, the world watched in collective horror as George Floyd, a Black man, pleaded for his life under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer for nine excruciating minutes and twenty-nine seconds. His final words, “I can’t breathe,” became a rallying cry, echoing from the streets of Minneapolis to marches in Houston, Paris, Lagos, and Tokyo. In that moment, America stood at a precipice—a moral reckoning centuries in the making.
Today, in 2025, five years later, the murals are faded, the headlines are beginning to go quiet, and the protests are less frequent. And the question remains: Has anything truly changed for Black lives in America? As a journalist, I have chronicled this nation’s reaction in real-time—through rallies, policy promises, backlash, and fatigue. I have interviewed grieving mothers, hopeful students, cynical elders, and young activists fueled by a determination to never let the world forget. Ive reported on statehouses rolling back DEI initiatives, and a Supreme Court more conservative than it’s been in decades. Even just yesterday, the DOJ rolled back police reform deals with Minneapolis (where George Floyd died) and Louisville. The progress that once felt within reach now feels precarious.
The Burden of Proving Our Humanity
What’s most exhausting—and perhaps most heartbreaking—is that five years after George Floyd’s death, Black people still bear the burden of having to prove their humanity. Of having to document it. Justify it. Narrate it. I remember speaking with a college undergrad at Texas A&M who told me, “Sometimes it feels like they only care about us when we’re dead, or when we’re trending.” That student, now a junior at Howard University, says she’s studying law to “build the justice we never got.” That is the enduring paradox of Black America: hurt, but hopeful. Frustrated, but forward-facing.
The Black Lives Matter movement—born in pain but sustained by hope—once commanded center stage. Corporations pledged billions. You saw black squares on Instagram, city streets painted with “Black Lives Matter,” and lawmakers vowing sweeping reforms. But much of that momentum has since been absorbed by bureaucracy or drowned in political gridlock. In some states, it’s now easier to purchase a firearm than it is to protest injustice. DEI offices—once considered a sign of progress—are being loudly defunded or dismantled across the country.
Signs of Hope, Seeds of Change
To say that nothing has changed would be dishonest. There have been reforms—though uneven. Body cameras are now standard in many police departments, and some cities have restructured emergency response programs to deploy social workers instead of armed officers. Representation across media, politics, and leadership has improved, even if the path forward remains steep. In 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris affirmed what many already knew: Black Americans are not asking for permission to lead—we are already leading. That leadership extends to local politics, education, business, and the arts.
Black Americans are writing curriculums, launching businesses, winning Pulitzer Prizes, and shaping culture in a landscape increasingly hostile to truth and allergic to the discomfort of history. That’s why the Movement Festival is so important—it’s not just a commemoration, it’s a declaration.
The Movement Festival*
In honor of cultural diversity, social justice, and economic advancement, Houston will welcome the inaugural TMF – The Movement Festival, a four-day premier event produced by KDITC (Kay Davis In The Community), kicks off today May 22–25, 2025, at Tom Bass Regional Park and locations across the city.
Inspired by the global movement following the tragic death of Houston native George Floyd, recognizing the fifth anniversary of George Floyd, the Movement Festival is designed to be a powerful convergence of dialogue, culture, art, and entertainment that fosters continued healing, unity, and empowerment across communities.
The festival kicks off Today, Thursday, May 22, with a free community forum titled “The Report Card” hosted at the Third Ward Multi-Service Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring keynote speaker and nationally renowned political commentator Tezlyn Figaro, followed by a ticketed VIP Reception with lite bites and refreshments during a performance of the acclaimed stage play BREATHE.
“This festival is about creating space to reflect, uplift, and unite,” said Dannette Davis, Founder of KDITC.
“Through powerful storytelling, culture, and community, we’re bringing people together to continue the movement toward equality, creativity, and healing.” – Dannette Davis (Founder of KDITC)
Now what?
Five years on, it’s clear that America had a reckoning—but whether it chose to follow through is still up for debate. As we honor George Floyd today, we must ask ourselves not only what we’ve done in his name—but what we’ve ignored in our convenience. Are we building an America where Black children can thrive, not just survive? Are we confronting systems—or simply rebranding them? And most importantly, are we listening, or just waiting for the next tragedy to respond to?
The road ahead remains steep, but the path is lit by those who refused to stay silent—those who marched, documented, voted, resisted, and believed. Black lives still matter. Not because they’re trending. Not because they’re political. But because they are human. Full stop. And if America still needs to be reminded of that in 2025, then the work isn’t over—it’s only just begun.
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*More about The Movement Festival
Friday, May 23
• Fun & Festivities at 4501 Almeda Food Truck Park — food, music, vendors, and community vibes from 5pm to 7pm
Saturday, May 24 –En Blanc ‘N The Park & Concert On The Hill
• Live music by Kyle Turner, Kollett, Robert Allen Berry & Friends from
• Go for the Gusto Line Dance Challenge: An exciting attempt to break the world record for the largest line dance!
• Fashion, food vendors, art, and cultural exhibitions throughout the day
• Ticketed event
Sunday, May 25 – Gospel & Reflections
• Grand Finale Balloon Release at the “Conversation With George” statue
• Special screening of the award-winning stage play turned film Camp Logan
Hosted by Marcus D. Wiley, with a special performance by gospel icon Tramaine Hawkins
About KDITC
Kay Davis In The Community Kay Davis In The Community (KDITC) is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Dannette Davis. KDITC promotes community well-being by supporting arts, culture, education, and economic opportunity. Through a mission rooted in equity and empowerment, KDITC offers scholarships, wellness programs, and dynamic community events that foster personal growth and collective progress for underserved communities.