Tuskegee University announced on March 9 the passing of Dr. Bernard Lafayette Jr., a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement who worked closely with leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ambassador Andrew Young, and others.
The university highlighted Lafayette’s significant but sometimes underrecognized contributions to the struggle for justice, equity, and human dignity. Dr. Mark A. Brown, President and CEO of Tuskegee University, reflected on Lafayette’s legacy and urged continued commitment to civil rights causes.
Brown recalled hosting Lafayette for dinner alongside Ambassador Andrew Young and attorney Fred Gray, describing the gathering as an opportunity to honor those who shaped the nation’s conscience. He said that stories shared during that evening underscored Tuskegee University’s important role in the ongoing fight for equality.
Ambassador Young also spoke about his connection to Tuskegee during a talk in November 2024, saying, “I feel like I’m coming home. Most of my growing up was along Highway 80, I was following LaFayette.”
Lafayette’s activism began as a student at American Baptist Theological Seminary where he joined the Nashville Student Movement organizing nonviolent protests. He participated in Freedom Rides organized by the Congress of Racial Equality and helped launch early voter registration efforts in Selma despite facing violence. His work laid groundwork for later campaigns led by King and others that culminated in events such as Bloody Sunday during the Selma-to-Montgomery marches.
Lafayette also served as director of the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies, promoting nonviolence education globally. His funeral will be held at Tuskegee Chapel at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 22.
“We celebrate these warriors as they take their well‑deserved rest. And importantly, we must joyfully grab the baton and run our leg of this never‑ending race for equality,” Brown said.
