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A Song for the Unsung: Bayard Rustin, the Man Behind the 1963 March on Washington
A singular, richly illustrated picture book biography of Bayard Rustin, the gay Black man behind the March on Washington of 1963, by the acclaimed authors of the Tulsa Race Massacre and The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag .
On August 28, 1963, a quarter of a million activists and demonstrators from every corner of the United States convened for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It was there and then that they raised their voices in unison to call for racial and economic justice for all Black Americans, to call out inequities, and ultimately to advance the Civil Rights Movement.
Every movement has its unsung individuals who work in the background without praise or accolades, who toil and struggle without notice. One of those unsung heroes was at the center of some of the most important decisions and events of the Civil Rights Movement.
That hero was a quiet man, a gay African American man. He was Bayard Rustin.
Carole Boston Weatherford and Rob Sanders's A Song for the Unsung, featuring illustrations from artist Byron McCray, is an inspiring story that answers one of our nation’s greatest calls to action by honoring one of the men who made it happen.
"A splendid tribute to a true hero of the civil rights movement." – Booklist, starred review
On August 28, 1963, a quarter of a million activists and demonstrators from every corner of the United States convened for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It was there and then that they raised their voices in unison to call for racial and economic justice for all Black Americans, to call out inequities, and ultimately to advance the Civil Rights Movement.
Every movement has its unsung individuals who work in the background without praise or accolades, who toil and struggle without notice. One of those unsung heroes was at the center of some of the most important decisions and events of the Civil Rights Movement.
That hero was a quiet man, a gay African American man. He was Bayard Rustin.
Carole Boston Weatherford and Rob Sanders's A Song for the Unsung, featuring illustrations from artist Byron McCray, is an inspiring story that answers one of our nation’s greatest calls to action by honoring one of the men who made it happen.
"A splendid tribute to a true hero of the civil rights movement." – Booklist, starred review
40 pages, Hardcover
First published November 8, 2022
1 person is currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Carole Boston Weatherford
107 books416 followersCarole Boston Weatherford is a children's book author and poet who mines the past for family stories, traditions, and struggles. A number of CAROLE's books tell the stories of African-American historical figures such as Harriet Tubman, Jesse Owens, and Billie Holiday. Other books recount historical events such as the Greensboro Sit-ins and the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. CAROLE's books have received a wide variety of awards, including a Caldecott Honour for “Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People To Freedom”.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 3, 2025
Absolutely fascinating reading about Rustin and learning an aspect of the 1963 March on Washington that I wasn't familiar with, leading me into a deep dive into recordings from the day. As always, Carole Boston Weatherford writes an absolute masterpiece, and I really appreciated that she writes alongside Rob Sanders whose expertise is writing LGBTQIA+ lit nonfic books. Add to that the illustrator Byron McCray being a Black gay man, it's just really great to see a bio created by people whose background and/or lives connect with the person being written about. A gem.
January 18, 2023
This is a beautiful book. The art is good. But the real beauty is the story. It mixes spirituals, which were used during the Civil Rights Movement, & the story of Bayard Rustin. I think it is so sad that he’s not someone we learned about in school, because we should have. Bayard was the person who introduced Martin Luther King to the non-violent ideals that ended up being used in that section of the Civil Rights Movement; Bayard was a member of Dr. King’s inner circle for many years; & Bayard was an organizer of the March on Washington. It makes me so happy that authors & history are finally paying attention to Bayard Rustin.
November 27, 2022
A beautifully illustrated biography on Bayard Rustin, the man who orchestrated the 1963 March on Washington. Rustin's quiet determination helped to change the social climate of this nation. His family origins, personal struggles and eventually his greatest triumph are all highlighted in this picture book. Supplemental information at the story's conclusion will help readers to learn more about Bayard Rustin, the Civil Rights Movement and the struggle for Gay Rights in the United States.
December 4, 2022
I've been excited about this book since I first heard about it. More people should know about Bayard and his contributions. A dream team of collaborators.
January 17, 2023
Great book. I collected videos of many of the songs and footage from the march to share with students as we read the book together. It's amazing to hear Bayard Rustin sing "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" or Mahalia Jackson sing anything alongside the pictures
October 30, 2023
The title alone is brilliant, because it signals that Rustin was a talented and devoted singer for whom music played a central role throughout his life. The same can be said about the role of music in the Civil Rights Movement. Threaded throughout each double spread are scrolled lyrics from many different hymns/songs that reflect specific moments throughout his life and his role in the shaping of that movement. This includes the fact that Rustin's roots run deep in Quaker peace activism, including refusing to bear arms during WWII and his consequent imprisonment.
The authors open on the eventful August day in 1963 with Rustin's perspective of the Washington mall, empty other than himself and a few reporters. His confident assertion that this unprecedented event would happen, would succeed, contrasts with the absence of evidence at that early morning moment. And yet Rustin, the organizer/coordinator behind the scenes, stood tall and sure. he had orchestrated every detail, from placement of portable potties to bus parking to box lunches and the program itself.
Each page turn that offers incredible details about his development of the strength and skill and talent that underpinned such confidence. As a relative "elder" in comparison to young Martin Luther King, Jr., his experiences with adherence to non-violent strategies for social change were rooted in studies with Gandhi and led to his later instruction and guidance for MLK,Jr. and the entire movement.
An essential (and never denied or hidden) aspect of his identity is that he was a gay man. Thankfully, and despite immeasurable forces still attempting to discriminate against non-straight individuals and organizations, we have arrived at a time of greater openness and awareness that people are people and their sexual lives are not a matter of public concern. This was far from the case at the time of Rustin's life, making his willingness to be "out of the closet" another bold and honest example of his personal integrity. This fact, though, accounts for why so few folks know his name in comparison to others from those Civil Rights Movement years in the sixties. It was deemed necessary and advantageous to access Rustin's organization skills and network contacts to make a gathering of a quarter million people possible, yet leaders within the movement insisted that his public role should be minimal, fearing that his gay identity could undermine and detract from the greater goals.
Very likely they were correct. Even so, it meant that Rustin's long history, credentials, and support of equal rights and social justice remained "appreciated" by insiders but "unsung" in the public accounts of this history-changing day and the entire movement surrounding it. There is no justice in that, at any level. Now, more than sixty years later, young people can access Rustin's life story through works for older readers but also through this gorgeous, dynamic, and lyrical account of a man who merits everyone's attention and admiration.
The authors open on the eventful August day in 1963 with Rustin's perspective of the Washington mall, empty other than himself and a few reporters. His confident assertion that this unprecedented event would happen, would succeed, contrasts with the absence of evidence at that early morning moment. And yet Rustin, the organizer/coordinator behind the scenes, stood tall and sure. he had orchestrated every detail, from placement of portable potties to bus parking to box lunches and the program itself.
Each page turn that offers incredible details about his development of the strength and skill and talent that underpinned such confidence. As a relative "elder" in comparison to young Martin Luther King, Jr., his experiences with adherence to non-violent strategies for social change were rooted in studies with Gandhi and led to his later instruction and guidance for MLK,Jr. and the entire movement.
An essential (and never denied or hidden) aspect of his identity is that he was a gay man. Thankfully, and despite immeasurable forces still attempting to discriminate against non-straight individuals and organizations, we have arrived at a time of greater openness and awareness that people are people and their sexual lives are not a matter of public concern. This was far from the case at the time of Rustin's life, making his willingness to be "out of the closet" another bold and honest example of his personal integrity. This fact, though, accounts for why so few folks know his name in comparison to others from those Civil Rights Movement years in the sixties. It was deemed necessary and advantageous to access Rustin's organization skills and network contacts to make a gathering of a quarter million people possible, yet leaders within the movement insisted that his public role should be minimal, fearing that his gay identity could undermine and detract from the greater goals.
Very likely they were correct. Even so, it meant that Rustin's long history, credentials, and support of equal rights and social justice remained "appreciated" by insiders but "unsung" in the public accounts of this history-changing day and the entire movement surrounding it. There is no justice in that, at any level. Now, more than sixty years later, young people can access Rustin's life story through works for older readers but also through this gorgeous, dynamic, and lyrical account of a man who merits everyone's attention and admiration.
February 13, 2023
I don't much like the title, which could be said about many people whose stories need to be unearthed so we can know the fuller truth not revealed in our social studies or history classes, unless the authors intend to make a series of unsung heroes (which I encourage them to do, though the celebrated Carole Boston Weatherford has been about correcting the historical record all of her life through poetry and picture books; see the terrific Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre, also a picture book). Teach your children and a narrowly-schooled public well!
I knew of Bayard Rustin in the sixties, and he's well-represented in Taylor Branch's Parting the Waters and in the amazing PBS documentary Eyes on the Prize, both of which are essential resources for understanding the civil rights movement of that time. Of course, there are many more great works, but one on Rustin I know is a biography by my former colleague John D'Emilio, Lost Prophet. And Rustin is mentioned as a key figure in the fictional account of the King years, James Ellroy's American Tabloid series, particularly The Cold Six Thousand. In all of these works Rustin is identified as being--like the somewhat better known John Lewis, thanks to a prize-winning graphic history series--in the inner circle of King.
So, "unsung hero" would not exactly be my way to describe Bayard Rustin. Maybe Architect of Justice, or something like that? Though in school it is all MLK, who does deserve his rightful place in history, of course. But it was Rustin that introduced King to Gandhi and notions of non-violent resistance. He was a man of ideas, thoughtful and smart. He was a brilliant strategist, who as the title of this book makes clear, was the central organizer of the massively important 1963 March on Washington.
True, he was not always properly acknowledged or appreciated, in the general public or maybe even in the movement itself; nor was his advice always followed. Why all that? Part of it is that he was openly gay, which in the early sixties marginalized him in American society, though it is also true that James Baldwin, better known, was gay, though Baldwin was a brilliant writer, publishing important books, whereas Rustin did not make that public splash. So kudos to Weatherford and her team for this work to give him credit.
I knew of Bayard Rustin in the sixties, and he's well-represented in Taylor Branch's Parting the Waters and in the amazing PBS documentary Eyes on the Prize, both of which are essential resources for understanding the civil rights movement of that time. Of course, there are many more great works, but one on Rustin I know is a biography by my former colleague John D'Emilio, Lost Prophet. And Rustin is mentioned as a key figure in the fictional account of the King years, James Ellroy's American Tabloid series, particularly The Cold Six Thousand. In all of these works Rustin is identified as being--like the somewhat better known John Lewis, thanks to a prize-winning graphic history series--in the inner circle of King.
So, "unsung hero" would not exactly be my way to describe Bayard Rustin. Maybe Architect of Justice, or something like that? Though in school it is all MLK, who does deserve his rightful place in history, of course. But it was Rustin that introduced King to Gandhi and notions of non-violent resistance. He was a man of ideas, thoughtful and smart. He was a brilliant strategist, who as the title of this book makes clear, was the central organizer of the massively important 1963 March on Washington.
True, he was not always properly acknowledged or appreciated, in the general public or maybe even in the movement itself; nor was his advice always followed. Why all that? Part of it is that he was openly gay, which in the early sixties marginalized him in American society, though it is also true that James Baldwin, better known, was gay, though Baldwin was a brilliant writer, publishing important books, whereas Rustin did not make that public splash. So kudos to Weatherford and her team for this work to give him credit.
February 18, 2023
3 stars (I liked it)
I think this was an important story to be told and the book was powerful but I had a few issues with it that took away from my enjoyment of the book. First, as so many picture book biographies I've read seem to do, there was way too much text on each page for the target audience. Older elementary students just do not read picture books. I wish publishers/authors would realize that. My other issue was the interspersed song titles throughout the book. I thought this was a really cool concept but it broke up the flow of the story. As another reviewer said, perhaps I'd feel different about them if I knew all the songs but there were some unfamiliar ones (and I was too lazy to look them up, unlike the other reviewer).
So while I am glad to learn about Bayard Rustin and I want my students to also learn about him, I hesitate to buy this book for my school library because I know my students are unlikely to check it out/read it.
I think this was an important story to be told and the book was powerful but I had a few issues with it that took away from my enjoyment of the book. First, as so many picture book biographies I've read seem to do, there was way too much text on each page for the target audience. Older elementary students just do not read picture books. I wish publishers/authors would realize that. My other issue was the interspersed song titles throughout the book. I thought this was a really cool concept but it broke up the flow of the story. As another reviewer said, perhaps I'd feel different about them if I knew all the songs but there were some unfamiliar ones (and I was too lazy to look them up, unlike the other reviewer).
So while I am glad to learn about Bayard Rustin and I want my students to also learn about him, I hesitate to buy this book for my school library because I know my students are unlikely to check it out/read it.
March 3, 2023
It is always great to see unknown history told and illustrated in a vibrant children's book. Bayard's story is one that is fundamental to a larger movement that is highlighted in February and August. In my opinion, all nuances of the major events should be known so history can be accurate. Has Bayard's story been hidden because of his personal life? Maybe, I do not know. I do believe that a Bayard's contributions, his planning skills, his knowledge and other contributions should not have been disregarded or hidden. In order to be better as humans we need to acknowledge differences and move forward. The ultimate reason I like this book is it reminds people that Martin L. King, jr did not plan and do all things, he was simply the man out front.
Bayard Rustin-Unsung for Certain but it never too late to sing his song!
Bayard Rustin-Unsung for Certain but it never too late to sing his song!
April 19, 2023
Gorgeous book. This story is important by bringing attention to the accomplishments of Bayard Rustin. His work had a significant impact for Black Americans and ultimately ALL Americans. This biography is highlighted with song titles that weave throughout the text to show the importance of music through history, including the Civil Rights Movement, to unify people. The illustrations are so beautiful and deserve extra time to absorb. The use of texture, written word and sheet music into clothing, background and more creates a flow from layout to the next and creates a feeling of how important music and oration was to this movement. Rustin was a hero and I’m glad this book will introduce many readers to his life work.
February 23, 2024
Bayard Rustin organized the March on Washington. He was an advocate for Civil Rights, worker's rights and human rights. He was also a gay black man. Pushing Martin Luther King forward as the face of the Civil Rights movement, he didn't let the discrimination he faced stop him from making a difference.
I love the format, beginning with waiting for the march, then a bit about Rustin growing up - especially the influence of his grandmother. I love that a whole bunch of civil rights songs were mentioned, in context. Back matter includes a Rustin timeline, the history of peaceful protests and The 10 Demands of the March on Washington For Jobs and Freedom. An important addition to my civil rights collection.
Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
I love the format, beginning with waiting for the march, then a bit about Rustin growing up - especially the influence of his grandmother. I love that a whole bunch of civil rights songs were mentioned, in context. Back matter includes a Rustin timeline, the history of peaceful protests and The 10 Demands of the March on Washington For Jobs and Freedom. An important addition to my civil rights collection.
Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
July 15, 2022
I received an electronic ARC from Henry Holt and Company through Picture Book Palooza.
Weatherford's text blends seamlessly with McCray's illustrations to offer a look into Bayard Rustin's life and his commitment to peaceful protest and the Civil Rights movement. In particular, readers see how he assembled the program and plan for the March on Washington in 1963. The text captures the energy and frustrations for a man who stood in the background getting everything done. He was ostracised as a gay man in that time and still stood up for equality. Further information for more research is presented at the end of the book.
Weatherford's text blends seamlessly with McCray's illustrations to offer a look into Bayard Rustin's life and his commitment to peaceful protest and the Civil Rights movement. In particular, readers see how he assembled the program and plan for the March on Washington in 1963. The text captures the energy and frustrations for a man who stood in the background getting everything done. He was ostracised as a gay man in that time and still stood up for equality. Further information for more research is presented at the end of the book.
November 12, 2024
A Song for the Unsung: Bayard Rustin, the Man Behind the 1963 March on Washington by Carole Boston is an inspiring book that tells the story of Bayard Rustin, an important person in the Civil Rights Movement. The book focuses on Rustin's key role in organizing the 1963 March on Washington, while also showing the challenges he faced as a gay African American man in a time of discrimination. With colorful illustrations and easy-to-read text, Boston brings Rustin’s story to life, highlighting his courage and dedication to equality. This book helps young readers learn about a hero who is often overlooked, making it a great choice for anyone interested in history and social change.
January 5, 2023
This was a great book on the life of Bayard Rustin, the man behind the 1963 March on Washington. I had 0 idea another man was responsible in the organizing of the civil rights march where MLK spoke. This book was very informative and includes various resources in the end of the book to add onto the story. The illustrations were amazing and each page had songs included form the movement. It was well formatted for me to read to my son and him enjoy it as well. It included the struggles of the Gay Rights movement as well as the Civil Rights movement, which I found amazing.
June 22, 2023
This picture book is a history of a little-known man who helped make the 1963 March On Washington the event that it was. Bayard Rustin was a Black gay man who put his heart into peaceful protest. He had learned from Gandhi that peaceful protest was the only real way to get your voice heard, and to make things happen. He was successful and the March On Washington was a success. He’s a little-known player in this big event that I am happy now gets his own stage.
December 19, 2023
Well-written and well-executed. Song suggestions throughout bring an added dimension to the text and would make for an engaging read aloud experience. Backmatter supports with additional information (including a timeline and background on the importance of songs to the Civil Rights Movement). I only wish the author had included a glossary for some of the terms that may be unfamiliar that are included in the backmatter.
January 17, 2024
This picture book biography of Bayard Rustin shows the quiet fortitude he had all of his life to accomplish his goals-- creating the march and believing in what it stood for was one thing but doing it in the face of adversity both for the Black community and all his life as a gay man, adds additional grit that Weatherford captures eloquently weaving the history with the song.
A wonderful tribute to the man and the history of the 1963 march.
A wonderful tribute to the man and the history of the 1963 march.
January 25, 2023
A brief look at Bayard Rustin, an organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. The timeline is interspersed with exhortations to sing spiritual songs of the time. If you know these songs, I'm sure the story takes on deeper meaning (I had to look them up which broke up the rhythm of the reading for me). A few notes in the back of the book extends learning.
December 9, 2024
This book acts as a powerful tribute to the often overlooked heroes of history. The books poetic language and rich illustrations create an emotional journey that encourages reader to reflect on the importance of recognizing unsung heroes. This is the perfect read for young readers about history, resilience, and the impact of unsung figures in society.
April 1, 2025
This book had a lot of meaning to it. I never knew that the one who orchestrated the peaceful protest was an African American gay man named Bayard Rustin. He did go through a lot back in the time when segregation was still a thing. But Bayard never gave up once, he was also the one who taught Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. about peaceful protest. This book is quite amazing I enjoyed it.
July 6, 2025
Bayard Rustin has been a hero of mine for years, but I still learned a few things about him I didn't know before in this wonderful book! Even though it's a picture book, it doesn't avoid addressing some of the harder issues. And its combination of song and illustrations in addition to telling this amazing man's story is a pure joy.
December 29, 2022
Excellent nonfiction picture book spotlighting Bayard Rustin and his role in the Civil rights movement. With a resource list, and titles of the songs of the movement. Lovely illustrations, watercolor and collage.
March 24, 2023
This was beautifully written and illustrated and so inspiring. I loved the song titles throughout the book and the connection to the "unsung" hero, though I agree with other reviewers that it somewhat affects the flow for a read aloud.
July 4, 2023
important book to read alongside any books about nonviolent protest and the March on Washington to show the collective work that was undertaken and spotlight a gay, Black man who was integral but too often overlooked.
October 19, 2023
I'm so glad this book exists and Bayard Rustin is getting the recognition he has deserved for so long. LGBTQ+ people continue to be pushed to the margins, even when accomplishing the amazing things Rustin did and being vital to their communities.
December 8, 2024
Tells a beautiful important story with beautiful writing, and wonderful illustrations. This book is very powerful, and important. It would be a great resource for any social studies teacher, or those doing a unit on U.S. history.
February 25, 2025
Bayard Rustin is one of my favorite historical figures and I thought this was a great way to tell his story in a new way. The way music was weaved into the story was a fabulous way to bring it to life.
July 14, 2022
5 stars for this amazingly beautiful biography of Bayard Rustin. I can't wait to read the finished copy.
I read this book as a digital review copy from the publisher
I read this book as a digital review copy from the publisher
November 15, 2022
Excellent book for all ages to learn about the brilliance, devotion and resiliency of this great unsing hero of the Civil rights movement. The book is beautifully illustrated.
December 26, 2022
Well done!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews