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Pauli Murray Awards Foundation Announces Inaugural Artist-In-Residence: DJ Honey Café

The Pauli Murray Awards Foundation (PMAF) proudly announces the launch of its first-ever Artist-In-Residence program, naming DJ Honey Café as the inaugural resident.

The Artist-In-Residence program expands beyond traditional residencies, uplifting Black LGBTQ+ artists across diverse modalities - including music, drag, visual art, spoken word, and more. Rooted in the legacy of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, Esq., who was not only a civil rights trailblazer but also a poet and artist, the program reflects the Foundation's commitment to celebrating art as both a form of resistance and a source of community healing.

Pauli Murray taught us that art is inseparable from justice, and that creativity is a form of survival. Through this residency, PMAF seeks to create space for Black LGBTQ+ artists to thrive, innovate, and share their vision with the world - and DJ Honey Café embodies this spirit.

"Being able to transcend glass ceilings is due in part to the perseverance of trailblazers like Pauli Murray," they said. "As a queer person of color, I've faced the never-ending ripples of prejudice and biased adversity. The fight for equality-for every individual across the world-is ongoing. That's why it means so much to be selected as the first Artist in Residence for the Pauli Murray Awards Foundation."

Centering Diasporic Sound

Known for creating electrifying and transformative sonic experiences, DJ Honey Café grounds their artistry in diasporic traditions:

"My musical expression is deeply rooted in the diasporic sounds of West Africa. It's a blend of rhythms and melodies that stretch across the Caribbean and West Africa-an ode to early influences that transcend generations. When I play, I channel ancestral energies and become a conduit for the sonic experiences that shape the deep rhythms I create."

This residency will provide resources, visibility, and national recognition, ensuring that artists like DJ Honey Café receive the support needed to pursue their craft and expand their reach. It will also connect art with community through performances, public programming, and collaborative projects designed to highlight the creativity and resilience of Black queer communities.

A Living Legacy

The Artist-In-Residence program is one of several initiatives leading up to the first Pauli Murray Awards: 40 Under 40 Black LGBTQ+ Honors, set for October 11, 2026 - National Coming Out Day. Together, these efforts reflect PMAF's mission to invest in and celebrate the transformative work of Black LGBTQ+ changemakers nationwide.

Art has always been central to liberation. By launching this program, the Foundation extends Pauli Murray's legacy into new creative dimensions - lifting up voices the world needs to hear right now.

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