Booker T. Washington was an African-American teacher, author, presidential advisor, and civil-rights leader. Born in Virginia in 1856, Washington was of the last generation born into slavery. After emancipation, Washington attended college in Virginia, and gained fame as a result of his 1895 speech about the importance of educating African Americans and his belief that African Americans were capable of great feats through education. Washington s contribution to educational equality was made greater by his influence in the social circles of millionaires and self-starters, and he was the first African American invited to the White House by President Theodore Roosevelt.

Booker T. Washington published five books with the aid of ghost writers, among them his first autobiography The Story of My Life and Work and his bestselling second biography Up from Slavery, which earned him his invite to the White House. Washington was also responsible for founding the National Negro Business League, which has, since 1966, been incorporated into Washington D.C. as the National Business League.