One Video. One Brave Teen. A Global Movement.
Four years ago, the world changed—not because of a press release or a policy paper, but because of a 17-year-old girl with a phone.
On May 25, 2020, Darnella Frazier bore witness to the murder of George Floyd and had the courage to press Record. Her video—a raw, haunting film—captured a man begging for breath beneath the knee of a police officer. That footage didn’t just document injustice. It ignited a global movement. It pierced through apathy and denial. It forced people to see.
That recording was art—storytelling in its rawest form. It reminds us that you don’t need a title or a platform to make change. Just a watchful eye, the bravery to speak truth, and the belief that justice is worth fighting for.
The Power of Storytelling to Shift Culture
Throughout history, we’ve seen the power of art and storytelling—both professional and grassroots—to move people, shift culture, and shape public consciousness.
- When Mamie Till-Mobley insisted the world see her son Emmett’s beaten body in Jet magazine in 1955, the photos became an inflection point in the Civil Rights Movement.
- When Roots aired in 1977, it brought the brutality of slavery into American living rooms and transformed historical understanding.
- When Philadelphia premiered in 1993, it gave a face and voice to the AIDS crisis, pushing past stigma and into empathy.
Why the Arts Are Under Attack
This is why the arts are under attack—why books are being banned, museums defunded, and storytellers silenced. Because art challenges inaccurate narratives. It sparks emotion. It demands justice.
While Darnella Frazier’s courage sparked a global movement, we now find ourselves amid a sharp and deliberate dismantling of hard-earned progress. Cultural institutions are under attack. Books are being banned. Leaders are being fired. The platforms that once amplified truth are being eroded—or silenced altogether.
The Steady Drumbeat of Change
It’s easy to feel frustrated. But we must remember: Just as one courageous act can ignite a movement, the dynamic can shift again—quickly, powerfully, and collectively. And while change sometimes begins with a single spark, more often it’s the steady drumbeat of education, storytelling, and truth-telling that reshapes culture and fuels lasting progress.
The Power of March On!
That’s why I’m honored to have joined March On! as its Executive Director. I’ve been an attendee since 2017, drawn year after year by the power of the stories, performances, and conversations that challenge, inspire, and move us forward.
In a time when truth is contested and justice is under threat, I can’t imagine more urgent work than lifting up the voices too often left out of our national narrative—and standing alongside the many brilliant artists and storytellers who help bring those truths to life. That’s the power and promise of March On!—and I’m proud to work with our incredible board, team, creative community, and all of you to carry it forward.
With hope and determination,
Kim Callinan
Executive Director, March On!
