Up from Slavery

Born a slave, Booker T. Washington, faced cruel realities of his condition; he overcame post slavery poverty through pure will, determination, and education. Through his many challenges in early life, he learned the value of self-reliance, which informed his decision to set up the Tuskegee Institute, July 4, 1881, which still stands today. The lesson plans were designed to aid the students in pulling themselves up from desperate economic conditions and into independence. Though there were c...