Booker Taliferro Washington (1856-1915), the early 20th century's leading advocate of black education, was born a slave in Virginia and was freed by the Emancipation Proclamation. Advocating the dignity of common labor, Washington steered blacks toward careers in agriculture, mechanics and domestic service.

In 1881, Washington became head of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute in Alabama, where he advocated industrial and agricultural training for African-Americans. Under his leadership the school became one of the nation's leading black universities. In 1900, Washington organized the National Negro Business league which emphasized skill, thrift and black capitalism.