In the aftermath of George Floyd's tragic death by the hands of Minneapolis Police on May 25th, 2020, the city became a focal point for nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism. Amidst the unrest, plywood boards covering storefronts became canvases for artists, activists, and community members to express their grief, anger, and solidarity through murals and messages.

Memorialize the Movement (MTM) emerged as a living archive created in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020 dedicated to collecting, preserving, and activating the plywood protest murals that were created during the Minneapolis Uprising of 2020 and beyond. By providing space for youth, artists, and our Black, Indigenous, communities of color to heal, reflect, and express themselves creatively, MTM seeks to address the issues of police brutality, community safety, and representation for Black and Brown creatives and art conservators. 

Leesa Kelly founded MTM in a collective effort to preserve and activate these plywood murals, recognizing their significance as powerful symbols of the movement for racial justice. Over the years, we have taken on the stewardship of these stories, ensuring that the voices and experiences of the community who created them are not forgotten or erased. 

MTM is by the people, and for the people. The work we do is guided through an anti-racism lens and prioritizes uplifting the voices of the BIPOC community. As part of our mission, MTM has facilitated various programs and events to engage the community through the creation of healing spaces where a dialogue about the 2020 uprising can be had. We are dedicated to uplifting and prioritizing BIPOC artists, creatives, and artist organizations across the Twin Cities through the advocacy of Black and Brown people in museum spaces, creating opportunities for artists, and holding space for programming. These programs include activating the murals in exhibitions, monthly Paint to Express workshops, panel discussions, documentary screenings, and mural painting projects, all aimed at fostering solidarity, amplifying marginalized voices, and promoting social change. 

In 2024, MTM announced our relocation to South Minneapolis, a neighborhood profoundly impacted by George Floyd's murder. This move represents a commitment to continuing the work of honoring Floyd's memory and advancing the cause of racial justice in a community deeply affected by systemic inequities. 

MTM aims to build a collective memory of the uprisings, protests, and mourning that occurred in the Twin Cities in 2020. Art has always been an important tool for sparking conversations around social movements. Our aim is to continue that tradition by challenging the witnesses of these murals as well as challenging museums and conservation institutions. In the museum industry, there is a distinct lack of representation and resources for Black and Brown historians and conservators. Our goal is to build a new institution where BIPOC communities are the stewards of their own stories and history is remembered as it was, not as we wanted it to be. Since MTM’s founding, we have collected and preserved over 1,000 plywood mural panels, curated 10 large scale exhibitions, and have led workshops at universities and local conferences on the topic of cultivating BIPOC representation and visibility in conservation and preservation work. By creating spaces where the murals can speak for themselves, MTM is dissolving barriers between communities and leading the urgent work of fostering belonging and inclusion in the Twin Cities.

Throughout our history, MTM has served as a symbol of resilience, creativity, and collective action, embodying the spirit of the movement for racial justice and equity. As it continues to evolve and expand its efforts, MTM remains dedicated to preserving the legacy of George Floyd and the countless others who have been impacted by police violence and systemic racism.