The reality of his 46 years on Earth, including sharp edges and setbacks Floyd himself acknowledged, was both much fuller and more complicated.

Floyd's death has ignited calls to reform the Minneapolis Police Department, which community activists have long accused of entrenched racial discrimination and brutality.

Memorials are set to take place in three cities over six days: After the Minneapolis event, Floyd's body will go to Raeford, North Carolina, where he was born, for a public viewing and private family service on Saturday.