Bayard Rustin (1912–1987) was a visionary civil rights activist, strategist, and key adviser to Martin Luther King Jr. An openly gay man and #Quaker, Rustin was instrumental in organizing the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Despite facing prejudice for his sexuality and beliefs, he remained steadfast in his commitment to nonviolent protest and justice, leaving an indelible mark on the American civil rights movement.