Bumstead was one of the first white men in the United States to fight for educational rights for African Americans.

As a white man, he was condemned by many for taking on this role, but African Americans rallied behind his efforts and viewed him as a spokesman.

He began his studies at Boston Latin School, where he won the Benjamin Franklin silver medal, an award given to extraordinarily curious, innovative, and motivated individuals at the start of their careers, who deserve greater recognition, encouragement, and mentoring.

His military science degree led him to the immediate commission as a major of the 43rd United States Colored Infantry from April 1864 to December 1865, with whom he served at Richmond, Petersburg, and Brownsville.

[1][5] After being granted this position, Bumstead began his fight for equal rights for African American education.