Bayard Rustin at the Crossroads
Co-presented by the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice
Hester and Ross Galleries
On display November 14 – February 10, 2026
Bayard Rustin at the Crossroads celebrates the extraordinary life and legacy of Bayard Rustin—a visionary strategist, openly gay Black activist, and unsung architect of the Civil Rights Movement. Through archival materials, photographs, and personal reflections, this exhibition honors Rustin’s unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and nonviolence.
As a trusted advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rustin played a pivotal role in shaping the movement’s philosophy of peaceful resistance. His brilliance as an organizer culminated in the historic 1963 March on Washington, a watershed moment in American history that galvanized national support for civil rights and gave voice to a generation demanding change.
Yet Rustin’s contributions were often overshadowed by the prejudice he faced for living openly as a gay man. Despite being sidelined by some of his contemporaries, he remained a tireless advocate—bridging the struggle for racial justice with the emerging fight for LGBTQ+ rights. His life stands as a powerful testament to the courage it takes to live authentically and to lead with conviction in the face of adversity.
This exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the intersections of identity, activism, and social transformation. Rustin’s story challenges us to reconsider whose voices are amplified in our collective memory—and to honor those who, like him, stood at the crossroads of multiple movements, forging paths toward liberation for all.
