The Future of the American Negro

Focusing on education and cooperation, Booker T. Washington emerged as a prominent leader of the African-American community in the late 19th century. Born into slavery, he became the head of Tuskegee Institute, advocating for vocational training. His influential 1895 "Atlanta Exposition" speech urged Southern whites to support black economic progress while downplaying demands for civil rights. Despite uniting many, his vision struggled to endure after his death, revealing the complexities of race relations and the pursuit of equality during his era.