The Pauli Murray Awards Foundation (PMAF) exists to recognize and uplift Black LGBTQ+ leaders who are blazing new trails across politics, art, science, media, and more. Named for the groundbreaking civil rights activist, legal scholar, and poet Pauli Murray, the foundation seeks to honor their legacy by supporting the next generation of changemakers.

We believe in visibility, opportunity, and the transformative power of community. Through annual awards, special events, and digital storytelling, PMAF creates space for reflection, celebration, and solidarity among today's leaders and tomorrow’s icons.

The Pauli Murray Awards (PMAs) will honor forty (40) exceptional Black LGBTQ+ leaders between the ages of 18 - 39, who are driving change and making an impact in their respective fields. These awards serve as a platform to amplify their work, provide visibility, and foster a network of support.

Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, Esq. was a revolutionary force whose legacy reshaped the fight for civil rights, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ visibility. As the first African American woman to earn a Doctor of Juridical Science from Yale Law School, Murray's groundbreaking legal theories influenced pivotal Supreme Court decisions, including Brown v. Board of Education, which struck down racial segregation in schools, and Reed v. Reed, which established a constitutional right to gender equality.

A visionary scholar, activist, and poet, Murray’s work laid the intellectual groundwork for both the feminist and civil rights movements. Their bold advocacy for racial and gender justice, alongside their identity as a gender-nonconforming figure, has made Pauli Murray an enduring symbol of intersectionality and a beacon for marginalized communities.