Unstoppable: How Bayard Rustin Organized the 1963 March on Washington

by Michael G. Long, Bea Jackson (Illustrator)

This powerful and triumphant picture book biography tells the story of how openly gay civil rights leader Bayard Rustin defied prejudice as he planned and organized the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

*An ALA Rainbow List Selection
*WINNER, Best Illustrations - Black Kidlit Awards

*"A civil rights luminary finally gets his due. The prose works in perfect harmony with Jackson's warmly colored, stunning illustrations, which present Rustin as a gifted, passionate visionary whose talents helped turn the march from a dream into an unprecedented success. This work's greatest contribution is its unflinching honesty in demonstrating the backlash Rustin faced for being gay, both from White America and his own Black colleagues within the movement, who felt that his sexuality would detract from its success. A joyful tribute to the work of an important American hero." Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

* "The 1963 March on Washington and Martin Luther King's iconic 'I Have a Dream' speech would never have happened if not for Bayard Rustin, the individual behind the conception, organization, and management of the event. [This] picture book thoughtfully addresses basic human rights and introduces young readers to an important behind-the-scenes hero." - Booklist, Starred Review

"Incredible." TEACH Magazine

"This beautifully illustrated book makes it clear that peaceful change is possible. I am grateful Bayard's life continues to inspire young people to work for change and to build the beloved community." Walter Naegle, Partner of Bayard Rustin

Bayard Rustin was a troublemaker. He spent his life disrupting racism and prejudice with nonviolent direct action. He organized protests against war, nuclear weapons, racial segregation and discrimination. He was a friend and mentor to Martin Luther King Jr., and he was unapologetically gay and Black.

When Bayard and his mentor, A. Philip Randolph, set out to organize the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Bayard was targeted by those who wished to see the movement fail. But Bayard Rustin would not be stopped. With the support of Dr. King and future congressman John Lewis, Bayard organized the largest protest in civil rights history.

This stunning picture book ,written by Rustin scholar Michael G. Long and illustrated by the New York Times bestselling artist Bea Jackson, tells the incredible story of how Bayard Rustin led over 250,000 people to the doorstep of the United States government demanding change.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, LGBT, Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Activism

39 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 2, 2023

Reviews

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible non fiction picture book about Bayard Rustin! Does not shy away from his queerness!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very well done biography about a forgotten civil rights hero. I plan on reading in August along with Dr. King's speech.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

If this were the first picture book biography I had read about Bayard Rustin, I may have liked it more. Unfortunately, I couldn't help but compare it to Carole Boston Weatherford and Rob Sanders 2022 book 'A Song for the Unsung.' I will say, this book is certainly geared for a younger audience and it adjusts Bayard Rustin's story down for that audience well. The illustrations are engaging and help to introduce readers to this important figure. I wish there were a little more back matter for teachers sharing this book in class.

[Ellie Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this informational book! I'm glad that it did not try to hide Bayard's queer identity and explained how he was discriminated against because of it while participating in this Civil Rights Movement. This book would be a great way to introduce the concept of intersectionality for older students. Before reading this book, I had not heard of this hugely influential civil rights hero; I can't believe that his story is not taught in schools. I think this says a lot about how far we still need to come in terms of acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people of color. The illustrations were beautiful and added depth to the incredible story of how Bayard Rustin organized the March of Washington.

This would be a great book to read in my ELA and Social Studies classrooms. It is an informational picture book that is geared towards older readers. I would use this book as a lesson or unit launch. It will certainly spark good discussions and help students think critically about the progress or lack thereof, that has been achieved in the decades since the March on Washington. I would have this in my general classroom library as well.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: Bayard Rustin was a troublemaker.

Premise/plot: This is a picture book biography for older readers about civil rights activist Bayard Rustin. He dreamed up and planned a march on Washington. Not any march, but what would turn out to be THE march. Not everyone was happy--so the book shares--that he was a leader/planner in the civil rights movement. He was gay, you see. They feared that those on all sides would use that against them all. But he remained a leader and was pivotal to the civil rights movement.

My thoughts: I learned plenty while reading this one. I almost always do learn something when I read nonfiction written for children. I think this one stands out--for many different reasons. But for me, it is the artwork that is most striking.

[SLQB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can only say maybe for SLQB.

Hate to be a weakling, but his being gay is so important in this depiction, we would make ourselves a target. The details on how to arrange something as huge as the March are just not there, so the text reads as too simple an explanation for readers considering activism and sexual preference. The illustrations are fine, but not special. I don't really know anything about his importance--I should watch the documentary. So far (July 2025) I think we should keep looking.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this easily accessible book about Bayard Rustin, and how he was instrumental in organising the ‘March on Washington’ during the US Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. I also appreciated the reminder that identities rarely occur in a vacuum, and that while fighting for freedoms in one cause, we need to be mindful that other causes receive the same care and concern. We are not free until we ALL are free!

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a wonderful picture book about an important figure in the Civil Rights Movement, Bayard Rustin, who had to go against not only racism but prejudices because he was also gay—some really interesting story in the back. Wish more of it was incorporated into the actual picture book. But overall, a pretty well done and interesting story. My rating - 4/5

[Grace Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent biography of an important African-American leader. He is not as well-known to younger students, because people have tried to suppress information about him, as he was gay. The book does not shy away from mentioning his sexuality.
That will make this a "controversial" book to schools and districts where people are trying to ban books.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars (I really liked it)

An excellent picture book biography about a Civil Rights leader who I didn't know about before reading. The illustrations are gorgeous and the pacing of the text is excellent.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent picture book biography of one of the lesser-known Civil Rights Movement hero. Explores the discrimination Rustin faced as a gay black man and his work to make the March o Washington a reality.

[Rachel Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, good pacing. Some extraneous details distracted from the title of the book: how he organized the march. Could have benefitted from an editing eye in the story but it's a great overall look at Bayard Rustin. Back matter is informative and worthwhile.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and imspiring. This picture book tells how Bayard Rustin organized the march on Washington. Discusses the discrimination he faced as both a black man and as a homosexual. My child and I both enjoyed this picture book and found it a good conversation starter.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

1/28/2024 ~ A interesting book about a previously unrecognized organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. I appreciate that Rustin's queer identity was recognized AND that we have more picture book biographies that give a fuller picture of the range of people involved in the Civil Rights movement.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Speeches and songs are well and good but someone has to make sure the programs are printed and the trash collected. This book beautifully traces the journey of that someone, someone whose story has been too long in being told.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, but I wish the story had been more streamlined. Some editing would have been helpful, but the art is gorgeous.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the author did a good job at hitting all the issues well but not dwelling on them. This is a good look at the man behind the scenes that not many kids would know about.

[Book Buying With Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes yes yes! We can write kids biographies about queer people and actually articulate their queerness!

[Gala · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book surprised me. I was not expecting a children’s book to give details on such a personal matter. It was a good read.

[Rebecca Plaza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great picture-based story of an essential leader in the civil rights movement.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm thrilled that more and more picture books about this out activist are being released. The world needs to know about Bayard Rustin and his contributions in the Civil Rights Movement.

[Aaron Luces · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Unstoppable: How Baynard Rustin Organized the 1963 March on Washington" by Micheal Long is an Autobiography based on gay African-American activist Baynard Rustin and his actions and role in structuring the famous march during the civil rights movement in America. The book is intended for a younger age group, around 7+.

I think the book is a very simple look at the life of Baynard Rustin. It sort of skims through his life and summarizes a lot of important events, and the book doesn't even touch on his status as a gay man, even though I feel like that status is very important to his person. The story does give a lot of important facts and information on how he organized the march, all the actions he did to rally people together, and the supplies he got to make sure it went smoothly. The illustrations are also done well. In this matte realistic style that captures a lot of emotion and details.

I think young readers would like this series because it places importance on other civil rights leaders other than the often learned Rosa Parks and MLK. I could see this used in a classroom during a civil rights lesson. Possibly about a lesson about other important individuals of the civil rights movement besides MLK and Rosa parks.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story of Bayard Rustin’s life is greatly simplified but covers several of his important accomplishments, including organizing the 1963 March on Washington. The end notes provide a little more detail. I was torn between a 3 star and 4 star review, because the typeface is underwhelming and a little difficult to read in the e-book version. Rustin’s is an important story to tell, so I rounded up.