Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice

Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice Uplifting the life and legacy of Pauli Murray.

Historic space and hub for activism, art & radical hope. 🏳️‍🌈 Open to all |📍Durham, NC | Open select Wednesdays / Saturdays

It's the LAST WEEK to order our limited edition Pauli Murray t-shirt 'Hope is a Song' on our online shop! This incredibl...
06/23/2026

It's the LAST WEEK to order our limited edition Pauli Murray t-shirt 'Hope is a Song' on our online shop! This incredible design is on loan from artist Verlena Johnson until the end of the month.

Verlena L. Johnson was born in Chicago. She received her MA from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in African-American Studies with an emphasis in Art History and her MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Sculpture. She has exhibited her artwork in Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, Oakland and beyond. Her children’s picture book Constance Can was published in 2026 and can be purchased on Amazon.

Verlena drew/painted “Pauli Murray: Hope is a Song” in 2026 to honor the life and legacy of civil rights activist Pauli Murray. To learn more about Verlena’s artwork, visit www.verlenajohnson.com

06/22/2026

✨ Volunteer Spotlight ✨ This year, we’re lifting up the people working behind the scenes to share Pauli Murray's life and legacy. Tia Mitchell (she/her) has been volunteering with the Pauli Murray Center since 2024 after being inspired by an NCCU professor. You can catch Tia at our Raleigh Pride table this weekend and at many outreach events with us!

We're excited to welcome Kristina Smith (she/her) to our team this summer as our Innovation Intern! Kristina is spending...
06/21/2026

We're excited to welcome Kristina Smith (she/her) to our team this summer as our Innovation Intern! Kristina is spending the summer helping to explore creative earned income ideas that support the Center's work and long-term sustainability. She recently graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a J.D. and Master of Social Work, where her interests centered on housing justice, community empowerment, and civil rights advocacy. Kristina hopes to build a career as a civil rights attorney, advancing equity through strong community relationships and people-centered advocacy. When she's not working, you can find her watching reality TV, taking photos on film, or dancing to Beyoncé.

"Nobody gave me my freedom. I owe it to no political party or the goodwill of any group. I inherited it. Some of my fore...
06/19/2026

"Nobody gave me my freedom. I owe it to no political party or the goodwill of any group. I inherited it. Some of my forefathers fought for it at Appomattox, Petersburg, and Richmond. Others toiled for it in Carolina to***co fields, paying their masters dollar for dollar, and bought it. Others paid for it with their health, sanity, and their lives, jumping overboard from slave vessels or lying in swamps and crawling through the night into the shelter of the Underground Railroad. Others pulled a "mass strike" when the Union Armies invaded the Confederacy and helped disintegrate the labor force of the rebellious South. The Proclamation of Emancipation which Lincoln signed in 1863 was but the historical and documentary recognition of an accomplished fact."

Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray | American Credo

Join St. Titus and the Pauli Murray Center for a service to commemorate the life and work of the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray a...
06/18/2026

Join St. Titus and the Pauli Murray Center for a service to commemorate the life and work of the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray at Pauli’s childhood church. This annual service includes an original liturgy and a choir drawn from across the city. It draws an incredibly diverse group to a historically African American church and has become a beloved annual event for many people. While this is a Christian Episcopal service, all are welcome to attend!

Can't make it in person? Stream the service live from the St. Titus page!

06/17/2026

Join us on Saturday, June 20th at 1 PM for an exclusive, guided tour celebrating Pride month. Our Director of Education and Outreach, Anjalique Knight, will dive into the life and legacy of Pauli Murray while exploring their identity as a q***r person. Interact with the exhibits, explore the historic space, and engage in meaningful reflections on Pauli Murray’s incredible lift.

Space is limited and advanced registration is recommended! Get tickets at the link in our bio or visit tinyurl.com/pmctours

Happy Pride, Friends!In May, I journeyed with Pauli Murray acolytes across Rev. Dr. Murray’s ancestral and spiritual lan...
06/15/2026

Happy Pride, Friends!

In May, I journeyed with Pauli Murray acolytes across Rev. Dr. Murray’s ancestral and spiritual landscape for the Center’s pilot “Nurturing the Flame of Liberation” retreat. During the retreat, Black women and LGBTQ theologians helped us to understand the various ways that Rev. Dr. Murray conceived of liberation, and what those concepts mean for our social change work today.

To read Angela's full note, click here: https://www.paulimurraycenter.com/words-from-the-center

It's been a busy, bustling week here at the Pauli Murray Center. This June, we've already gathered with our friends from...
06/14/2026

It's been a busy, bustling week here at the Pauli Murray Center. This June, we've already gathered with our friends from Self Help Credit Union for a guided tour, hosted the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross for a community retreat day, and welcomed Momentum Community for their grassroots activist training (pictured).

At a time when the systems around us appear to work for some and not all, we are comforted by the strength and potential of community. Pauli Murray’s activism and spirituality were galvanized by people and we honor this legacy by keeping everything we do rooted in community.

Looking to host a workshop, book a private tour, or visit or space with your community group? Reach out to us at [email protected] to learn more about activating our space!

Join us on Saturday, June 20th at 1PM for an exclusive, guided tour celebrating Pridemonth. Our Director of Education an...
06/13/2026

Join us on Saturday, June 20th at 1PM for an exclusive, guided tour celebrating Pride
month. Our Director of Education and Outreach, Anjalique Knight, will dive into the life and legacy of Pauli Murray while exploring their identity as a q***r person. Interact with the exhibits, explore the historic space, and engage in meaningful reflections on Pauli Murray’s incredible life.

Space is limited and advanced registration is recommended! Get tickets at the link in our bio or visit tinyurl.com/pmctours

Celebrate Juneteenth in the West End! We are OPEN this Friday from 12 PM - 3 PM in support of the West End Lyon Park Fou...
06/12/2026

Celebrate Juneteenth in the West End!

We are OPEN this Friday from 12 PM - 3 PM in support of the West End Lyon Park Foundation's Juneteenth Block Party. Come explore the celebration, hang out on our front lawn, or explore our inaugural exhibit. Community admission to the indoor exhibits are FREE during the celebration this Friday! 🎉

Come for food, kids activities, vendors, and live performers in Durham's Historic West End!

Address

906 Carroll Street
Durham, NC
27701

Opening Hours

Wednesday 11am - 12pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm

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