# Unstoppable: How Bayard Rustin Organized the 1963 March on Washington - Hardcover

by **Michael G. Long** (Author), **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.**

**\*"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.

### Author Biography

**Michael G. Long** has a Ph.D. from Emory University and is the author or editor of numerous books on nonviolent protest, civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, politics, and religion. Long's first YA nonfiction biography-a coauthored book titled _Troublemaker for Justice: The Story of Bayard Rustin, the Man Behind the March on Washington_ (City Lights Books)-earned starred reviews in _Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Booklist_, and the _School Library Journal_. The Bank Street Center_, Kirkus_, and _SLJ_ selected _Troublemaker_ as a best book of the year. Long has also written on civil rights and protest for the _Los Angeles Times, The Undefeated_ (ESPN), the _Progressive,_ the _Chicago Tribune,_ the _Chicago Sun-Times,_ the _New York Daily News,_ the _Afro_, _USA Today_, the _Pittsburgh Post-Gazette_, and the _Huffington Post_. Long lives in Lower Allen Township, PA, with his family and their Boston terrier, George Abner.

**Bea Jackson** is the _New York Times_ bestselling illustrator of _Parker Looks Up._ Bea attended the College for Creative Studies and is the grand prize winner and returned alumni of L. Ron Hubbard's Illustrator of the Future Award of 2007. Bea loves telling stories through her art, from dynamic and diverse character designs, to delightfully fun and energetic children's books. Learn more at beagifted.com.

**Number of Pages:** 40

**Dimensions:** 0.5 x 11.4 x 8.8 IN

**Illustrated:** Yes

**Publication Date:** May 02, 2023

## Details

- **Price:** 18.99 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 18.99 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Unstoppable: How Bayard Rustin Organized the 1963 March on Washington - Hardcover

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> Updated: 2026-07-23