INDIANAPOLIS — It’s been more than a month since the death of George Floyd and two months since the death of Dreasjon Reed—both killings sparked protests across the country.
Taylor Hall, a 19-year-old graduate from Crispus Attucks High School and Ball State University student, helped lead some of the peaceful protests and movements in downtown Indianapolis.
She is part of the newly formed “Black Women in Charge.” The group meets with leaders from around the city, including the mayor on Tuesday.
As a young activist, she wanted to use her voice in a different way to reach others. She took her passion and made a song called “I Can’t Breathe” and released the video Monday.
“Even talking about these things, my heart gets heavy and I get really emotional, almost teary-eyed because I am just so passionate about it. I want to see actual change,” Hall said.
The passion Hall has runs in her family. Her grandfather, Rev. Dr. Kent Millard, marched with Dr. Martin Luther King in the 60s.
“The day of the protest at the War Memorial, I sat down with my grandfather before I went and asked him for some advice,” Hall said.
He told her to be nonviolent but to speak up and use her voice.
“I want to make sure we don’t just protest and die off. I want something to actually happen. I want actually legislation and policy change,” Hall said.
As a young adult, Hall is helping to rally her generation through protest and song. Right now, she is studying communications but is interested in getting into law or politics.
Her song is available on Apple Music and you can stream her video here.