Writer’s note: I visited George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for a week to better understand a community that has been traumatized by police brutality and local violence. Working out of the Agape Movement office allowed me to get a sense of the community and how transparent the members of Agape were in sharing their stories. It was an honor to be a part of the community for a short time, and my job is to share their story.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota ー The Minnesota Agape Movement, based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, has kept kids off the streets, and created a safe area around 38th Street and Chicago Avenue.  Originally formed 40 years ago, Marquise Bowie and Reginald “Reggie” Ferguson founded the non-profit as a street advocacy organization.  Agape moved their head office after George Floyd’s murder.  Now, they work just steps away from where Floyd was murdered.

“Many people would come over here supporting these major corporations around the area, but not support the locals who are trying to better the community,” said Bowie. “ People say that they were here to raise the fist, but no one is coming over here to really help the common man. So we had to make a change.”

Ferguson, Bowie, and other members started a patrol system protecting the neighborhood around the clock and providing a number of programs for youths in the community. This service is rooted in the name ‘Agape,’ which is Greek for ‘love within itself.’  Agape members describe love as an action word. Their belief is based on the idea that love is nothing without movement.

“In order to do community work, you have to have a heart of service,” said Bridgette Stewart, Agape member and public relations expert for the organization. “My purpose is making sure we don’t lose any more young lives to gun violence and unnecessary police brutality.”

Agape members have often lived lives they hope other will avoid.  Ja’far, a member of Agape’s ‘97 Years and Counting’ program, helps young people understand the repercussions that often results from being incarcerated. The title of the program, 97 years and counting, alludes to the amount of years the three founding members were incarcerated themselves. 

“Getting through your quicksand is the big thing,” said Ja’far. “My quicksand might be different from your quicksand, but you still have to struggle out of it like I do. You’ve got to fight and don’t stop knowing something better is going to come down the road.”

For Agape members, it has been a long road reviving the area where George Floyd was murdered. It is work that they believe others often fail to notice. 

“We get overlooked as violence interrupters, and we get overlooked because of where we sit. We sit in the heart of George Floyd Square, and people like to believe that the city of Minneapolis is pouring funding into this, but they aren’t,” said Stewart. 

Agape was built from the ground up with numerous people buying into the same vision. It also takes resilience to withstand the many different trials and tribulations that has come with the tragedy of Floyd’s murder. 

“It means moving forward. As someone who was a firefighter for seven years, you have to keep going no matter how worn out or tired you are. You have to keep going because there’s someone else relying on you everyday,” said Stewart.

Steve Floyd, who is not related to George, describes himself as a street evangelist. Floyd only sees a certain part of the square being attended too. 

“Times have changed, there is more of an emphasis on the four blocks surrounding this community. Each of them [the blocks] have their own reputation, but it’s a new day on what real community looks like. The people who have been here the longest are the people who want to maintain the flow of bettering this community,” said Floyd.

Originally from Chicago, Floyd understands how important his role is in helping uplift this community day in and day out. 

“You understand your calling and who you are. There’s two important days in your life, the day you were born and the day you realize you were born. I’ve traveled all over the world twice, but I still come back into this community. I’ve had a kidney transplant, but here I am right back in it. It’s not about me,” said Floyd.

For 40 years, Agape members have not shied away from their mission to prevent violence and support their communities. 

“Agape’s goal is to continue building revenue and resources for the people that make up the community around George Floyd Square,” said Bowie. 

Agape has been resolute in South Minneapolis for over 40 years, and, its members say, it will be around for another 40 if need be.

Agape Movement leaders Steve Floyd, Ja’far and Brigette Stewart talk about what makes the street-up non-profit special.  VIDEO: Nate Pletcher and Maddy Cantrell.

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