Robt (pronounced “Robert”) Martin Seda-Schreiber is a 2023 Making a Difference Award honoree, recognized for his social justice and inclusion work. He is the founder and Chief Activist of the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice (BRCSJ), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Princeton–where he recently spearheaded the Princeton Pride Parade. At the Center, he created innovative all-inclusive support programs and a dedicated LGBTQIA safe space for queer youth, families, and elders.
Before founding BRCSJ, Robt Martin formed The Creatures of Awareness Theatre Company, raising significant funding for AIDS support and HIV testing in the 1980s. A published and internationally recognized visual artist, he became a middle school art teacher for 25 years, where he started the state’s first Gay-Straight Alliance, something he considers “a small step in a more meaningful journey. My parents named me after Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., so social justice has always been in my blood.”
That Gay-Straight Alliance became the template for many others across the U.S., as other schools in New Jersey and across the country turned to him for guidance on how to do the same in their districts. In 2017, Robt Martin was named the Social Justice Activist of the Year by the National Education Association and the next step in his social justice journey crystallized.
“At the NEA award ceremony, I had the epiphany that I could be of greater service and create a more powerful platform to address social justice for the LGBTQIA community. The next year, I established the Bayard Rustin Center.”
Having been at the forefront of intersectional social justice and queer advocacy for decades, Robt Martin continues his meaningful mission through his “angelic troublemaking” at the Center.
The BRCSJ—Advocating for Marginalized People With Purpose and Compassion
Bayard Rustin was a Black gay man and civil rights leader who worked with Dr. King in the early days of the civil rights movement; he organized the historic March on Washington which was not only about civil rights but also about equity among all communities. However, in spite of his key role, he was marginalized by the movement and became an unknown figure for decades because he was a gay man.
Rustin’s vision is an intrinsic element of the Center’s mission and advocacy, which is dedicated to preserving his legacy. The Center is open to all marginalized people (as Rustin was in his day) and offers events and programs throughout the week, as well as being a powerful national platform for the rights and needs of LGBT+ individuals.
“We bring his work forward through everything we do to make sure the people who are not heard, seen, or respected have a voice and safe space. It is my duty and absolute honor to be of service to marginalized communities, especially the queer community.”
Intersectionality of Communities
The Center serves people of color, victims of domestic violence, immigrants, low-income individuals, and others across the queer spectrum who are finding community and strength through Robt Martin’s work of which he says, “We are here to amplify the voices of all the intersectional communities we support. When one of our communities moves forward we all do, fortifying each other…not taking anything away from anyone. With open eyes we can see the connections and forge communal hope…we may walk separate journeys but can hold hands as we do.”
The Center’s advocacy extends into issues of book bans and censorship (the right to read), food insecurity and school lunch barriers, transgender justice, and more. Clearly, the work there affects many people.
For example, at a Pride event in June, individuals from diverse walks of life approached Robt Martin with their stories of coming out, of finding support among friends and at the BRCSJ, of their expanded awareness of issues facing LGBTQIA people, and of becoming an ally to the community in various ways. Some have become trained volunteers at the Center, which is open seven days a week.
“For anyone who wants to be helpful to our community, we welcome that help, energy, and spirit with open arms,” he said. The Center welcomed community organizer Dr. Sara Wasserman to the team in June; she joins several dedicated staff members and volunteers and the organization’s deeply committed board of directors.
Of his team, Robt Martin noted, “I am blessed to work with these people and have them believe in my dream and be by my side in this meaningful mission.”
State Commission Appointment
Given his work in this arena, it is no surprise that in June, Governor Phil Murphy appointed Robt Martin to the newly established NJ State Advisory Commission on Advancing LGBTQIA+ Youth Equity and Inclusion in Schools. The Commission was launched to help the Department of Education address the many challenges that LGBTQIA+ youth face in schools and ensure New Jersey schools provide a safe, supportive, and equitable learning environment for all students.
Making a Difference
When asked about the significance of being a Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award (MADA) honoree, Robt Martin said, “It was such an honor, privilege, and pleasure in equal measure. It was extraordinary because since the Russell Berrie Foundation initiated the award, the organization’s leaders have made it their mission to find people in diverse communities speaking truth to power, putting themselves on the line, and to look for folks who otherwise would not be recognized and whose work and message are not normally amplified. This resonates deeply with me.
I am grateful to be part of that community of people who don’t normally have the spotlight shone on them and it is a rarity for someone from the queer community to be among them. This recognition is a very strong statement and gives me great hope we can all move forward together. to celebrate and amplify all these voices.”
His MADA award followed many other honors including the Martin Luther King,Jr. Champion for Justice, the Jefferson Award for Public Service, Human Rights Advocate of the Year, State Champion of Equality, Fulbright MF Scholar to Japan. Further recognition includes two Senate Proclamations for his service to the community as a teacher and a full Senate Resolution and a U.S. Congressional Proclamation commending his work at the Center. Two of his artistic works that were featured in the book “Design For Obama” were requested for inclusion at the Obama Presidential Center for permanent display.
Looking to the Future
Robt Martin is currently working with Tony and Grammy Award-winning musician Bryan Carter on an oratorio titled “Rustin in Renaissance” at Lincoln Center. He is also writing a long overdue graphic novel about Rustin to be published by Abrams, and he penned the closing chapter to the NYU Press book, “Bayard Rustin: A Legacy Of Protest and Politics.”
When asked how he sees his future, he responded that his job is to put himself out of a job.
“I hope that one day, what we do at the Bayard Rustin Center is no longer necessary. Until that ideal is achieved, which is far in the future, we’ll keep working to make sure that everyone in our communities―all intersectional families and individuals along the rainbow spectrum—are recognized, respected, and loved.”
Learn more about the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice at www.rustincenter.org or follow Robt Martin and the organization on social media at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
