National Center for Civil and Human Rights Celebrates Bayard Rustin Day and Announces Launch of the Rustin Institute for Leadership Development
ATLANTA (March 2026) – The National Center for Civil and Human Rights (“The Center”) will host its annual Bayard Rustin Day on Saturday, March 14, bringing together community members, advocates, students, artists, and civic leaders to celebrate the life and legacy of Bayard Rustin—the principal architect of the 1963 March on Washington and one of the most influential strategists of the civil rights movement.
Held three days before Rustin’s birthday, the annual gathering honors the visionary organizer who helped shape the nonviolent strategy of the modern civil rights movement while advocating for democracy, human rights, and equality across race, class, and sexuality.
This year’s commemoration marks a historic milestone as the Center publicly announces that its LGBTQ+ Institute will transition into an independent nonprofit organization: the Rustin Institute for Leadership Development.
The new organization will expand upon more than a decade of work cultivating leaders committed to advancing justice, strengthening democracy, and protecting human dignity.
Bayard Rustin Day 2026, centered around the theme “Rooted, Rising, Ready,” reflects Rustin’s belief that movements endure when wisdom, strategy, and courage are shared across generations. The theme underscores the importance of preparing emerging leaders while sustaining the insight and experience of advocates who have long worked to advance civil and human rights.
“Rustin understood that lasting movements are built when communities strategically cultivate the next generation of leaders,” said Tim’m West, Executive Director of the Institute. “As the LGBTQ+ Institute evolves into the Rustin Institute, we are building on that legacy by connecting emerging leaders to seasoned advocates working toward a more just and inclusive democracy.”
Bayard Rustin Day will feature community dialogue, cultural programming, and opportunities for civic engagement, offering attendees a chance to reflect on Rustin’s legacy while exploring how individuals today can contribute to movements for justice. The event is designed for students, activists, educators, and community members interested in leadership, democracy, and civil rights.
The Rustin Institute will continue its leadership programs, mentorship networks, and civic education initiatives that bring people together across generations, sectors, and communities. Through leadership development and collaborative learning, the Institute seeks to strengthen the networks and skills necessary to build durable movements for justice.
Originally incubated at the Center, the Institute has spent the past decade creating spaces for dialogue, leadership development, and advocacy training. Its transition into an independent nonprofit marks a new chapter that will broaden the reach of its programs nationally while remaining deeply rooted in Atlanta’s civic and cultural landscape.
Offered Walter Naegle, Rustin’s partner, who will be in attendance on Saturday: “Bayard believed in the oneness of the human family and in the responsibility each generation carries to protect democracy and human dignity. It’s inspiring to see new leaders carry that work forward.”
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights will continue to serve as a vital platform for dialogue, learning, and civic engagement. Through programs such as Bayard Rustin Day, the Center connects the history of the civil rights movement to the work of contemporary advocates striving to protect rights and expand opportunity today.
“Bayard Rustin’s life reminds us that progress requires disciplined organizing, coalition-building, and moral courage,” said Kama Pierce, Chief Program Officer at the Center. “Gatherings like Bayard Rustin Day allow us not only to remember that history, but to inspire people today to continue the work.”
Bayard Rustin Day is free and open to the public.
About the Rustin Institute for Leadership Development
The Rustin Institute for Leadership Development prepares cross-generational leaders to advance justice and human dignity through mentorship, civic education, and strategic advocacy. Inspired by the visionary leadership of Bayard Rustin, the Institute equips emerging and established leaders to strengthen democratic movements through nonviolent change, coalition-building, and community care.
About the National Center for Civil and Human Rights
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is a museum and cultural organization that inspires the changemaker in each of us. Opened in 2014, the Center connects US civil rights history to global human rights movements today. Our experiences highlight people who have worked to protect rights and who model how individuals create positive change. For more information, visit civilandhumanrights.org.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @civilandhumanrights and LinkedIn at: linkedin.com/company/ncchr.
For more information, visit lgbtqinstitute.org