Booker Taliaferro Washington was an American educator, author, orator, and adviser to several presidents of the United States. He was born into slavery and became the leading voice of the former slaves and their descendants. He was a key proponent of African-American businesses and one of the founders of the National Negro Business League. Washington mobilized a nationwide coalition of middle-class blacks, church leaders, and white philanthropists and politicians, with a long-term goal of building the community's economic strength and pride by a focus on self-help and schooling.
Booker Taliaferro Washington was an American educator, author, orator, and adviser to several presidents of the United States. He was born into slavery and became the leading voice of the former slaves and their descendants. He was a key proponent of African-American businesses and one of the founders of the National Negro Business League. Washington mobilized a nationwide coalition of middle-class blacks, church leaders, and white philanthropists and politicians, with a long-term goal of building the community's economic strength and pride by a focus on self-help and schooling.
