The Pauli Murray Center for History & Social Justice announced its selection as one of the recipients of the Museum Grants for African American History and Culture from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) via press release on Friday.
The IMLS, which is the primary source of federal support for the United States’ libraries and museums, will grant $330,800 in government funding to activate the creation of exhibits inside Pauli’s childhood home at 906 Carroll Street in the West End of Durham.
The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray was a 20th century African American human rights activist, legal scholar, feminist, poet, Episcopal priest and LGBTQ+ community member whose pioneering work continues to inspire transformative change.
“This investment reinforces how valuable the work of the Pauli Murray Center is,” said Angela Thorpe Mason, the Center’s Executive Director. “I’m thrilled that we’ve been empowered to share Pauli Murray’s story more expansively—a story that is Black and queer; a story that is wrenching and triumphant. As we navigate an era where amplifying marginalized histories is being composed, this work is invaluable.”
The Pauli Murray Center was established on June 18, 2012, with the mission of “connecting history to contemporary human rights issues” and “activate visitors of all ages to stand up for peace, equity and justice.”
The Murray Center stands on the same plot of land as Murray’s Durham home, which is located in the historically Black neighborhood of West End. Mason said it only seems fitting the location of Murray’s formative years would be the place to house a permanent fixture of their legacy.
According to the Pauli Murray Center website:
“Inspiring activism will lead the way to Pauli Murray’s dream for a just world. It is our hope that the Center will launch the next generation of Pauli Murray firebrand leaders – smart, motivated and determined activists who will demand a world that enables all ideas, amplifies many voices and honors everyone’s contributions.”
“As we celebrate this significant achievement, it’s essential to recognize the profound resonance it holds with both the celebration of Juneteenth and Pride month,” Hauser stated. “The selection of the Pauli Murray Center as the recipient of this prestigious grant underscores a commitment to preserving the legacy of an extraordinary black, queer person from the south. Murray’s identity as an African American, a feminist, and a member of the LGBTQ community serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of our quest for justice and equality in the world today.”
The IMLS advances, supports, and empowers America’s museums, libraries and related organizations through grant making, research, and policy development. They also envision a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas and stories they contain about the nation’s diverse natural and cultural heritage.
In a 1979 lecture, Murray declared that “true community is based upon equality, mutuality, and reciprocity. It affirms the richness of individual diversity as well as the common human ties that bind us together.”
By activating the creation of exhibits within Murray’s childhood home, this grant not only honors her legacy but also provides a space for education, reflection, and dialogue on the ongoing struggles for liberation that are central to both Juneteenth and Pride celebrations.
For more information about the Pauli Murray Center, visit www.paulimurraycenter.com.