I’ve been holding this story close for years. Floyd’s Baller wasn’t just waiting to be written—it was waiting for the right moment to be released. AD lived it. I wrote it. Together, we’ve protected it until now, when the world—and our youth—need it most. This is a hood philosopher’s truth, grit, and hope, finally stepping into the light.
In this episode, I’m joined by Adarryl Hunter, a lifelong friend of George Floyd. We announce our joint project, a book titled Floyd's Baller, set to be released in February 2026, which is Black History Month. The book aims to serve as a resource for schools and is designed to teach and engage students on important life themes. We’ll talk about Adarryl (and his nickname “Baller”), his friendship with George Floyd, and this book’s inception.
Among many other topics, we explore:
Becoming a “Hood Philosopher”: Adarryl says he gained many of his people skills from Floyd, while Floyd saw Adarryl as a "hood philosopher" who could provide perspective on life.
The Reluctance to Tell a Story: After Floyd's murder, Adarryl was hesitant to share his story, not wanting to appear to be capitalizing on his friend's death.
A Creative Collaboration with a Spiritual Twist: Adarryl recounts that Floyd used to refer to himself as Morpheus from The Matrix and Adarryl as Neo, which provides a fitting metaphor for George's role in telling the story.
More Than a Story, It’s a Gumbo: The collaboration itself is a testament to this message, as a Black man and a white woman from the Midwest come together for a common purpose - a “gumbo” of perspectives, if you will.
A Shared Purpose: The project’s timeline, delayed for several months, now seems perfectly aligned with the current political climate and educational needs. Both of us are fully invested in this project, believing it's not about achieving specific results but about sharing an authentic, loving story with the world.