For 150 years, the American Library Association (ALA) has shaped the landscape of libraries and the profession itself—but its leadership has often reflected the racial and gender biases of society at large. For this special anniversary issue, American Libraries spoke with eight barrier-busting Association leaders about their struggles, triumphs, breakdowns, and breakthroughs. The stories and lessons they share reveal how diversity fuels and transforms the power of libraries everywhere. Robert Wedgeworth Wedgeworth served as ALA’s first Black executive director (1972–1985). In virtually all my professional ­positions, I was the only Black person. I never had problems as a result, because almost everybody accepted that I had to be exceptional in order to be in the position I was in. Earlier, as an undergraduate in the mid-1950s, I had been a basketball player, and often I was the only Black player on the floor. I had the ability to shut out cheers and jeers.…