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This Love - a documentary about Rev Cecil Williams & Janice Mirikitani whose unique alchemy taught us to convert trauma & injustice into radical love.

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INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY | THE POWER OF SOLIDARITY

Different peoples. Different histories. One shared struggle for liberation.

In this archival photograph, Reverend Cecil Williams sits alongside Dennis Banks, co-founder of the American Indian Movement — two voices whose commitments to justice remind us that the struggle for human dignity knows no boundaries.

For Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani, love was never passive. It demanded courage, action, and solidarity with those fighting against oppression.

At Glide Memorial Church, their vision of radical inclusion extended beyond the walls of the sanctuary and into the movements shaping America.

The American Indian Movement fought for Indigenous sovereignty, treaty rights, cultural survival, and the dignity of Native peoples. Cecil and Janice understood that true liberation required recognizing the struggles of others without erasing their distinct histories.

Their message continues to resonate: To stand for justice is to stand together. One particularly powerful connection is Janice's own experience of forced incarceration as a Japanese American child during World War II. Her understanding of displacement, state injustice, and the loss of freedom gives this tribute another dimension. Cecil and Janice's commitment to self-determination and supporting other liberation movements was unwavering.

As we honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we recognize the generations of Indigenous people who have defended their lands, cultures, communities, and right to self-determination.

Through the THIS LOVE documentary, we continue to explore the extraordinary legacy of Cecil and Janice and their belief that love, when put into action, becomes a revolutionary force.

LOVE IS A REVOLUTIONARY ACT.

#IndigenousPeoplesDay #DennisBanks #AmericanIndianMovement #ReverendCecilWilliams #JaniceMirikitani #GlideMemorialChurch #ThisLoveDocumentary #IndigenousSovereignty #RadicalLove #CitizenFilm by @thislovedoc

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5 days ago

THE ULTIMATE CREATIVE ACT

As we gear up for our October 2 screening of THIS LOVE, as part of NEXUS and MoAD’s Black Creative Week @ybca , We are remembering Cecil as an artist. Cecil was the ultimate creator, he was an architect of imagination. His canvas was Glide, and the streets of San Francisco, the stage, the pulpit, and ultimately his own life. He imagined something and then had the fearlessness to live it. There was theater in everything Cecil did. The music, the lights, the sermons, the spectacle. He understood the power of gathering people and creating an energy around an idea. And he understood how to bring other creative forces into that energy. The photograph of Cecil with Quincy Jones and Marvin Gaye captures a piece of that story. Luminaries from music, poetry, art, politics and activism were drawn into the orbit of Glide, but celebrity was never the point. Cecil knew how to use that light and direct it toward something larger; the people. Together, Rev. Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani made Glide a remarkable creative hub. Beginning in the late ’60s and early ’70s, the sanctuary became a place of experimentation and expression. Projections covered the walls. There was music, dance, poetry, photography and performance. Even Cecil’s extraordinary collection of dashikis became part of the visual language of the movement. They were living through an era when self-expression itself could be an act of liberation. The counterculture, Black Power, women’s liberation and LGBTQ communities were challenging old definitions of who could be seen, heard and valued. Glide absorbed that creative electricity and made room for people to express who they were. The stage at Glide became a theater with purpose,not theater for theater’s sake, but creativity fueled by love, freedom, power, liberation and justice. What began as a church became something much harder to define: a living project of radical self-expression and community. Imagination was continually summoned for the good of other people. We remember Cecil as extraordinary creative force who understood love itself was the medium! #ThisLoveDocumentary #RevCecilWilliams #JaniceMirikitani #GlideChurch #MOAD by @thislovedoc

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18 days ago

On the Eve of Cecil’s 97th Birthday
we honor a man who never simply spoke about justice—he put his body, his voice, and sometimes his life on the line for it.
Cecil understood the power of drama. He used movement, gesture, confrontation, and presence to make people pay attention. Whether commanding the pulpit, taking to the streets, or standing face-to-face with police in moments of injustice, there was always an element of action, a cinematic quality to the way he fought for change.
His body became part of the message. His passion became part of the protest.
Cecil didn’t just preach radical love. He embodied it. And next week on 10/2 - 3pm at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts during the Museum of the African Diaspora’s NEXUS: SF/Bay Area Black Art Week, we’ll bring that spirit to the screen—sharing an excerpt from THIS LOVE that explores how Cecil transformed love and courage into a creative force for justice.
Through his voice, his body, his imagination, and his fearless presence, Cecil showed us that activism itself could be an art form. As we celebrate 97 years of his extraordinary life and legacy, we remember the fire, courage, creativity, and fearless presence that made Reverend Cecil Williams impossible to ignore.
#ReverendCecilWilliams #CecilWilliams97 #RadicalLove #THISLOVE #GlideMemorial #MuseumOfTheAfricanDiaspora #NEXUS #YerbaBuenaCenterForTheArts #SanFrancisco #CitizenFilm @glidesf @moadsf @ybca @citizenfilm @citizensophie by @thislovedoc

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a month ago

Join us at @moadsf @nexussfbay for a special work-in-progress screening of This Love, followed by a dynamic panel discussion featuring thought leaders and a community Q&A. 🎬✨

Seating is limited! RSVP for free today through the link in our bio. 🎟️

We hope to see you there! by @thislovedoc

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a month ago

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN.
Rev. Cecil Williams believed in raising his voice. From the pulpit to the streets of San Francisco, Cecil preached a gospel rooted in love, justice and equality, often with a bullhorn in hand, bringing his message directly to the people. His sermons were passionate, creative, unconventional and impossible to ignore. Cecil understood that ministry didn't have to remain inside the walls of a church. He took it into the streets, developing his own radical style of sermon by using his voice not only to preach, but to challenge injustice, awaken consciousness and call people together. And now, we have some good news to share. On October 2, we are honored to present a special short excerpt from THIS LOVE, our documentary about the extraordinary lives and legacy of Rev. Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani, at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, Friday October 2nd from 3pm -4:30 pm, as part of the Museum of the African Diaspora's NEXUS: Black Creatives Week. The screening will be followed by a panel with Dr. Gina Fromer, CEO of Glide, Reggie Johnson, Glide Church Board Chair, and Kimberly Williams, daughter of Rev. Cecil Williams and film producer. The panel will be moderated by director Sophie Constantinou. Stay tuned for a link to RSVP. For this special presentation, we turn our focus to Cecil's voice - his passionate sermons, his creativity as an African American minister, and his steadfast, commitment to justice and equality.

We promised you good news.
Now it's time to go tell it on the mountain.
and spread this good news. #thislovedocumenatry #revcecilwillams #janicemirikitani #glidememorialchurch #museumoftheafricandiaspora #sanfrancisco #citizenfilm @moadsf @glidesf @citizenfilm @ybca by @thislovedoc

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a month ago

THIS LOVE
“Good News Is Coming”

There was always work to be done.
Always a struggle to meet. Always someone who needed a hand, a meal, a voice, a place to belong. And through it all, Reverend Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani never stopped believing in the power of good news. For decades, they poured their labor, their courage, their art, and their love into community and they did this often during the most difficult of times. They understood that hope wasn’t something you simply waited for. You worked for it. You fought for it. You created it. And when it came, you shared it. This photograph captures one of those moments: Cecil and Janice together, opening a letter and receiving some good news. And somehow, it feels like the perfect image for where we are today. Because after years of listening, remembering, rallying, researching, filming, preserving, and carrying their story forward, we have some good news of our own. There are exciting updates and announcements ahead for THIS LOVE, our documentary honoring the extraordinary lives, work, and legacy of Reverend Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani. Their story reminds us that even in difficult times, there is still reason to believe.
Still a reason to build.
Still a reason to love.
And yes there are still reasons to celebrate good news.
We can’t wait to share ours with you.
Stay tuned.
THIS LOVE A documentary about love, resistance, community, and two people who spent their lives showing us that love is not passive—
Love is a revolutionary act.
#ThisLoveDocumentary #CecilWilliams #JaniceMirikitani #GLIDE #GlideMemorial #SanFrancisco #LoveIsARevolutionaryAct #GoodNews #DocumentaryFilm #SocialJustice #Community #LoveAndResistance by @thislovedoc

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a month ago

Today, we honor the life and legacy of Janice Mirikitani on the fifth anniversary of her passing.

Janice believed that every person deserved to be seen, heard, and loved. Through her powerful poetry, fearless advocacy, and decades of service alongside Rev. Cecil Williams, she transformed countless lives and helped build a community rooted in compassion, justice, dignity, and hope.

Her voice challenged injustice. Her heart embraced those too often forgotten. Her legacy continues to inspire all who believe in equality, healing, and the power of unconditional love.

Five years later, her spirit lives on—in every act of kindness, every fight for justice, and every life touched by the work she helped create.

We remember. We celebrate. We carry her vision forward. THIS LOVE documentary is the vehicle that we are using to memorialize her life work. Please share and support as we continue to pay homage to Janice and Cecil's legacy.

#JaniceMirikitani #GLIDE #SocialJustice #Legacy #Compassion #Poet #sanfrancisco #glidememorialchurch #Revcecilwillams #thislovedocumentary #Community #LoveInAction #NeverForgotten #Equality #SanFrancisco taken in San Francisco, California by @thislovedoc

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3 months ago

THE POWER OF BELOVED COMMUNITY: Rev. Cecil Williams believed that unconditional love was the foundation of meaningful social change. Janice Mirikitani, acclaimed poet and activist brought extraordinary compassion and organizational leadership to GLIDE. Together, they built one of America's most influential faith-based social justice institutions, serving millions through meals, housing assistance, recovery programs, childcare, legal services, and advocacy for systemic change. Their partnership united prophetic preaching with practical action, proving that love without justice is incomplete, and justice without love cannot heal communities.
Their vision closely paralleled that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Like the Kings, Williams and Mirikitani understood that civil rights extended beyond voting rights to include economic justice, housing, healthcare, peace, and equal opportunity. They embraced Dr. King's vision of the "Beloved Community"—a society built upon justice, equality, compassion, and reconciliation rather than exclusion or fear. Coretta Scott King carried forward her husband's legacy after his assassination, expanding the civil rights movement significantly. Cecil, Jan and Coretta's shared commitment reflected a belief that the struggle for justice must continually evolve to include everyone whose dignity is threatened.
The connection between Coretta Scott King and Rev. Cecil Williams was more than philosophical. Williams marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma in 1965, placing himself on the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement. At Coretta Scott King's request, he served as Chairman of the Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Observance Committee, a role that reflected her trust in his leadership and his dedication to preserving and advancing Dr. King's legacy.
Today, the lives of Cecil Williams, Janice Mirikitani, Martin Luther King Jr., and Coretta Scott King form a shared legacy of hope. They teach us that love is strongest when expressed through service, that equality requires courage and persistence, and that lasting social change begins when we recognize the humanity and worth of every person. #thislovedoc by @thislovedoc

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3 months ago

No Ordinary Love
Some love stories change two lives. Others help transform an entire community. The story of Rev. Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani was no ordinary love. Together, they built a partnership rooted in courage, compassion, justice, and an unwavering belief in human dignity.
At Glide Memorial Church, they reimagined what a faith community could be—not just a place of worship, but a sanctuary where everyone was welcomed, especially those too often pushed to society's margins. Together, they championed radical inclusion, challenged injustice, nourished bodies and spirits, celebrated diversity, and reminded us that love is strongest when it is put into action.
Rev. Cecil's visionary leadership and Janice's powerful voice as a poet and activist, created a legacy that continues to inspire generations. Their commitment to each other was inseparable from their commitment to the community they served. This was a partnership that proved love is more than a feeling—it is a daily practice of showing up, standing with others, and believing that every person deserves dignity, hope, and belonging. Their story is too important to fade into memory. THIS LOVE is more than a documentary—it is an urgent effort to preserve the legacy of two visionary leaders whose work speaks powerfully to this moment. At a time when compassion, justice, and belonging are being tested, their example reminds us what is possible when love becomes a force for transformation.
Completing this film is essential. Future generations deserve to know not only who Cecil and Janice were, but how they lived, led, and loved—together. Their extraordinary partnership offers a blueprint for building communities rooted in courage, radical acceptance, and hope.
Help us bring THIS LOVE to completion and ensure that their voices, their vision, and their extraordinary love continue to inspire the world.
No ordinary love. An extraordinary legacy.
#ThisLoveDocumentary #NoOrdinaryLove #RevCecilWilliams #JaniceMirikitani #GLIDE #GlideMemorialChurch #RadicalLove #SocialJustice #Community #Legacy #CompassionInAction taken in San Francisco, California by @thislovedoc

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4 months ago

PROPHETS OF LOVE
Before Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani became synonymous with Glide Memorial Church, they were simply two forces moving through a city on the edge of transformation. San Francisco in the early 1960s was alive—raw, unfiltered, and in flux. The Tenderloin pulsed with contradiction: beauty and struggle, art and survival, rebellion and neglect. When Cecil arrived at Glide in 1963, the church itself was fading—quiet, conventional, and disconnected from the streets
just outside its doors.
Cecil didn’t come to preserve it.
He came to break it open.
he reimagined what church could be—not a place of rules, but a space of radical inclusion. He opened the doors to those turned away everywhere else: LGBTQ+ youth, sex workers, artists,
addicts, the displaced. He replaced tradition with truth, hymns with jazz, sermons with action. Glide began to transform—not into a sanctuary from the world, but into a reflection of it.
A living, breathing organism of the streets.
Then, in 1964, Janice walked in.
Not as a believer. Not as a disciple.
But as a poet, an atheist, a survivor. A daughter of internment history. Carrying both visible and invisible wounds, she wasn’t searching for religion—she was searching for something real. No grand introduction. No divine orchestration.
Just proximity. But some collisions are inevitable. Cecil brought vision—charisma, movement, a redefinition of spirituality rooted in liberation and action. Janice brought language—poetry, emotional depth, a profound understanding of trauma, particularly the silent suffering of women and children. Where Cecil created space, Janice gave it voice. Together, they didn’t just build a church.They built a cultural and spiritual ecosystem. By the late 60s, Glide had become a sanctuary for poets, activists, and revolutionaries. A meeting ground for movements. And at the center of it all was love. Not passive love. Not abstract love, a fierce, active, unapologetic love. THIS LOVE documentary is the culmination of this radical and prophetic love! #legacyoflove #glidememorialchurch #revcecilwilliams #thislovedocumentary #janicemirikitani #sanfrancisco #socialjustice #tenderloin #loveistheagenda taken in San Francisco, California by @thislovedoc

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5 months ago

At GLIDE Memorial Church, Mother’s Day was never just a holiday — it was a sacred celebration of survival, resilience, tenderness, and unconditional love.

For decades, Rev. Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani opened the doors of GLIDE to mothers from every walk of life — single mothers, struggling mothers, homeless mothers, addicted mothers, grieving mothers, working mothers, and mothers simply trying to hold their families together in a world that often made survival difficult.

Jan and Cecil understood that to care for a mother was to care for an entire community. Through food programs, housing advocacy, counseling, recovery services, youth programs, poetry, radical compassion, and daily acts of love, they created a sanctuary where women were seen, protected, uplifted, and celebrated.This Mother’s Day, we honor the legacy of all mothers — especially those who carried families, communities, and generations through struggle with grace and courage.

Because at GLIDE, love was never passive.
Love fed people.
Love protected people.
Love healed people.
And mothers were always at the heart of that revolution. @glidesf

#MothersDay #CecilWilliams #JaniceMirikitani #GLIDE #GlideMemorialChurch #ThisLovedocumentary#SanFrancisco #RadicalLove #Community #Legacy #LoveInAction #BlackHistory #AsianAmericanHistory #WomenWhoLead #Healing #RevolutionaryLove by @thislovedoc

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5 months ago

Today marks two years since the passing of Cecil Williams—a spiritual architect of love, justice, and radical inclusion.
And in remembering him, we return not only to his work, but to the relationships that defined his life’s mission—none more profound than his connection with Angela Davis. A bond forged in struggle,
their relationship was not symbolic.
It was lived, tested, and proven in real time. During one of the most charged moments in American history, when Angela Davis was incarcerated and facing the full weight of the state, Cecil Williams did not stand at a distance.
He showed up.
He visited her in prison.
He sat with her.
He listened.
He interviewed her, not as spectacle, but as witness.This was not charity.
This was solidarity! Angela Davis has always represented a fearless confrontation of unjust systems—naming incarceration, racism, and state violence with clarity and conviction.
Cecil Williams recognized that truth.
And Angela recognized something equally powerful in Cecil:
A man who didn’t just speak liberation—
he built spaces where it could be lived.
At Glide Memorial Church, Cecil created a sanctuary where people like Angela—activists, organizers, truth-tellers—were not only welcomed, but held, protected, and amplified. Their respect for one another was not performative.
It was rooted in a shared understanding:
That the fight for freedom requires both resistance and refuge.
When Cecil Williams transitioned, Angela Davis didn’t just send words.
She stood and spoke at his celebration of life. That moment was more than tribute—it was testimony to decades of shared struggle, deep personal regard
and a recognition of Cecil as a rare force; someone who bridged worlds.
Her presence affirmed what had always been true and what bound Cecil Williams and Angela Davis together was not proximity, but principle. A refusal to accept injustice as normal. A commitment to the dignity of all people. A belief that liberation must be collective. It was love expressed through action: showing up in moments of crisis standing beside one another building, speaking, and fighting for justice. #revcecilwilliams #angeladavis #glidememorialchurch #thislovedocumentary by @thislovedoc

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6 months ago