Sincerely Yours, Pauli Murray
An American Dramatic Cantata
March 21, 2026
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The highlight of our 30th season will be the Michigan premiere of a commission titled Sincerely Yours, Pauli Murray on March 21, 2026 at Fountain Street Church. A gripping 10-movement dramatic cantata following Murray’s life and work, this production will include the chorus, soloists, special musicians, and many musical styles.
Born in 1910, Pauli Murray was a trailblazing human rights activist, feminist poet, legal scholar, labor organizer, LGBTQI+, and first recognized Black female Episcopal priest who influenced icons such as Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Thurgood Marshall, yet her contributions to the national drive for racial and gender equity and justice have gone largely unnoticed.
In conjunction, the GRWC is offering community workshops and experiences exploring Murray’s groundbreaking ideas on Intersectionality and her advocacy for race and gender equality.
Saturday, March 14
Kick-off: Grandville Avenue for the Arts and Humanities @3:00 pm
GAAH students presenting art and poetry about the legacy of Pauli Murray. Open to the public.
Cook Arts Center: 644 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW
Tuesday, March 17
Music and poetry inspired by Pauli Murray @7:00 pm
Join the GRWC and The Diatribe for an inspiring evening celebrating the transformative power of art in activist spaces.
In honor of Pauli Murray and to both celebrate and carry forward her legacy, the program will feature powerful poetry, moving solo performances, and thoughtful conversation. Together, we will explore how creative expression can challenge injustice, build community, and spark lasting impact.
This event is free, but please reserve your spot now: Voices in Action – The Creation of Community
Emory Arts & Culture Hub: 2040 Division Ave SE
Thursday, March 19
• WCIMA Diversity Lecture Series – speaker from the Pauli Murray Center @11:30 am
GR Community College Campus: GRCC Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center, Room 168
151 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
This event is free, but please reserve your spot now: Honoring Pauli Murray – Calvetta Watlington Tickets
Livestream Link will be shared closer to event date
Thursday, March 19
• Pauli Murray Documentary Showing and Panel Discussion @6:00 pm
Spectrum Theater: 160 Fountain St NE
Saturday, March 21
Legacy of Activism: Sincerely Yours, Pauli Murray
Fountain Street Church: 24 Fountain St. NE
• Pre-concert lecture 6:30 – 7:00 pm
• Community Partners Info (tabling event) 6:00 – 7:30p
• Performances by the Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus and guests 7:30 – 9:00 pm
This event is free with donations accepted at the door.
Together, we will bring Pauli Murray’s enduring message of justice, equality, and resilience to life!
GRWC Spring Concert
Voices of Resilience: 30 Years of Passion. Purpose. Song.
May 30 and 31, 2026
Through the theme of resilience and overcoming adversity, we explore how marginalized communities persevere and advocate for change despite obstacles. We sing about empathy and understanding and the importance of listening to people’s stories, listening so that our synapses are firing so we won’t be fooled by untruths.
This season is an invitation to listen: to one another, to history, and to a wide range of voices whose experiences expand our understanding and help bridge divides. It is also about listening inward, attending to our own values and humanity, so that we can cultivate unity, community, and connection, and move through the world with intention.
Ultimately, this season calls us to stand by our neighbors when they need us most: to stand up, speak out, and draw strength from unity and collective action as we work together to create meaningful, positive change.
We urge you to come join us as we celebrate the uniqueness of each individual, challenge prejudice and discrimination, acknowledge the diversity of human experience, and embrace and value the diverse identities that contribute to a more inclusive society.
Music is more than just melody – it is a transformative force that can heal, unite, and inspire. In every voice, there is hope.
