The Pauli Murray Awards Foundation uplifts Black LGBTQ+ leaders who are changing the world. Rooted in the groundbreaking legacy of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, Esq., we recognize 40 honorees each year across fields ranging from the arts to public service. Through visibility, support, and storytelling, we champion those who embody brilliance, resilience, and vision for generations to come.
We honor the lineage of Black LGBTQ+ brilliance and carry forward the work of those who paved the way.
We are committed to dismantling systems of oppression and building a world where Black LGBTQ+ people can thrive freely.
We believe in the power of being seen, heard, and celebrated on our own terms.
We believe in the power of being seen, heard, and celebrated — and in ensuring that Black LGBTQ+ lives, leadership, & legacies are never erased.
The Pauli Murray Awards (PMAs) honor 40 Black LGBTQ+ visionaries, ages 18–40, who are shaping culture, transforming communities, and building a more just world. Through celebration, visibility, and support, the PMAs uplift those who embody the legacy and spirit of Pauli Murray.
The inaugural awards will be held on October 11, 2026 – National Coming Out Day – in New York City. Applications will open on March 1, 2026.
Pauli Murray, Howard University School of Law Class of 1944. Their legal theory shaped the arguments in Brown v. Board of Education. A mentor to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The first Black person assigned female at birth to be ordained as an Episcopal priest. A poet. A trailblazer. A visionary. A queer person whose identity—like so many others—has too often been erased.
And yet, this is only the beginning of their story. To understand Murray is to uncover the roots of modern democracy and the ongoing fight for equity. Their legacy touches law, faith, gender, race, and justice. Learning about Pauli is learning how we got here—and how we move forward.
The Board of Directors of the Pauli Murray Awards Foundation is a collective of brilliant thinkers, cultural stewards, community leaders, and organizational strategists who reflect the very brilliance we seek to honor. They guide the vision of the Foundation with care, conviction, and clarity — helping to shape a more just and joyful world.
Author, activist, and former pastor with 15+ years of experience leading movements for Black queer communities.
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Strategic funding leader and Iraqi Freedom vet advancing equity and access for marginalized communities nationwide.
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Content strategist and wellness advocate championing queer visibility, joy, and sexual health education.
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Performance artist and cultural worker using art to reimagine privacy, consent, and liberation across movements.
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Federal executive turned strategist building equitable systems and culture-driven operations for social good.
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Creative director and pop culture commentator reshaping media with authenticity and imagination.
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Veteran, statistician, and educator designing data-driven solutions rooted in justice and lived experience.
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Musician, producer, and creative director whose artistry and leadership inspire through sound and soul.
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Union leader, educator, and curriculum expert dedicated to inclusive education and culturally rooted celebration.
READ MOREYour gift helps make the Pauli Murray Awards possible — supporting our honorees, elevating their stories, and building the platform they deserve. Every dollar fuels the brilliance of Black LGBTQ+ leadership across the country.
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