Presented By: Amy Rich & Lanear Burrell

  "The early years of my life, which were spent in the little cabin," he wrote, "were not very different from those of other slaves."

1. He wanted to help African Americans enter mainstream white society with the least possible violence and thus advocated an educational program of vocational rather than intellectual or professional training.

2. Booker T. Washington did not get his last name until he entered into school and that's when he adopted the surname Washington, which was the first name of Washington Ferguson, a slave who his mother had married.

  He doesn't know the day, month or the year that he was born.

  Believes that his father may be a Caucasian man, However he is unsure.

  He was deprived of a childhood. There was never a period devoted to play time during his time of slavery. He spent most of his time cleaning in the yards, carrying water to the men in the fields, or going to the mill, to where he would take the corn.

  He always had the desire to get an education from the time he walked his young mistresses to the schoolhouse while carrying her books.

  From 1865 to 1872 Washington worked as a salt packer, coal miner, and house servant while attending school in the off hours.

  Graduated from Hampton in 1875 with honors and certificate to teach in a trade school. He was hired by Samuel Armstrong to teach in a program for Native Americans.

  Washington success on the education front was not until 1895 when he gave his speech, the "Atlanta Compromise.“

  In 1891 he became the first principal of what was to become Tuskegee Institute, a school established by the Alabama legislature to train African American men and women in agricultural and mechanical trades and teaching.

  Washington success on the education front was not until 1895 when he gave his speech, the "Atlanta Compromise.“

  Washington agreed to defer equal rights for African Americans in return for low-level economic opportunities.

  Washington consolidated his position as the "Moses of his race.“

  Washington’s writings argue that success should be measured not so much by the position a person has reached as by the obstacles overcome while trying to succeed.

  As an African American, Washington was asked to speak at the 1895 Exposition because he was an educated black man in society and it would look good to the Northern visitors that the South was making progress post slavery.

  It could not be a more appropriate time for both races to come together to "cement the friendship of the two races than any occurrence since the dawn of our occurrence.”

  There is a new era of industrial progress where there is a desire among people to jump straight to the top instead of working your way up.

  It is important for African Americans to befriend their neighbors of all races who surround them.

  Also make friends in business and commerce. And be aware that South African Americans are "given a man's chance" in the business world. Not all of us will be successful at a high level because we still have to produce for ourselves.

  "Must be separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand.”

  If you come across obstacles only let them enable you to grow.

  African Americans are one-third of the country and we must stick together.

  The past has not been an easy journey and neither will the future, but we have to take it step by step.

  And we have to understand, to reach equality it will be a struggle on a slow path.

  This exposition is just one of the many steps to friendship between African Americans and Whites. And I ask the white race to continue with their progress to bring the South into "a new heaven and a new earth."

  Washington's speech seems to "accept disenfranchisement and segregation and settle for a low level of education in exchange for white 'toleration' and economic cooperation."

  Decade of shame and mistreatment of African Americans.

  Slavery ambolished but African Americans were still struggling to earn equal rights.

  Racial segregation (Jim Crow Laws), pole taxes, literacy & residence requirements, ballot box changes

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZuvQJutHiY

Booker with children

  He arrived at Hampton Institute and the lady principal told him to sweep a room for her. He knew it was a test. He swept and dusted the room three times until not a speck of dirt remained. He was accepted into the school. He would work as the assistant janitor to pay for his room and board at the school.

  Mr. George Campbell, a prominent white man in Tuskegee, Alabama, wanted to start a school for black children in that town. General Armstrong recommended Booker for the position. The state legislature would give $2000 a year for the school. He started having classes in an old church and a run-down building. When it rained, one of the taller students would hold an umbrella over the teacher's head to keep him dry.

  At age 16, he walked from Malden, West Virginia to Hampton, Virginia to go to college. Google maps says its a 386 mile trip.

  He was the first African-American on a U.S. postage stamp and even had his face on a limited-circulation U.S. half dollar.

  Washington consolidated his position as the "Moses of his race.”

  Washington was awarded an honorary degree by Harvard University.