Booker T. Washington's Call To Action- Black History Month Special

Press Release • Feb 3, 2010
As part of its 25th anniversary celebration, the Education Training and Enterprise Center, Inc (EDTEC) is highlighting the work of Booker T. Washington. He understood that the concept of self-help and hard work was the key to future success.

Online, February 3, 2010 (Newswire.com) - A vast number of Blacks followed Washington's advice, as they founded and maintained small crafts and service businesses throughout the country. By 1900, there were so many blacks in business that Tuskegee leaders formed the National Negro Business League. Its purpose was to help men and women get started with their own business enterprises, and to assist those already in business to become more effective entrepreneurs.

Black farmers were a special group in need of guidance. Washington and Tuskegee leaders focused on their problems as well. In addition to growing and cultivating crops, farmers were business people. Washington advocated economic independence as the primary goal of every farmer, especially for tenant farmers who did not own the land on which they worked. In many cases , these farmers would grow just enough crops to pay the landowner rent. With Washington's mentorship,they were encouraged to grow more crops for profit, open a bank account and purchase a parcel of land; even it was but one acre.

Tuskegee established an extension service in order to bring agricultural and entrepreneurship education to poor farmers in the rural outback. The "Movable School" was a wagon equipped with the necessary tools to teach the group of farmers the mechanics of crop expansion. Families also received instructions in the renovationof dilapidated cabins, an idea initiated by Washington to help improve their standard of living and economic circumstances. Tuskegee was more than an educational institution. It was the spearhead of a movement that inspired blacks around the country to work for the "progress of the race". Whenever Blacks needed assistance, they often turned to the multi- talented Tuskegee staff for advice and guidance. Those who supported the goals ofTuskegee believed in a now famous statement made by Washington, often referred to as the motto for the movement,

" We must not allow our
grievances to over shadow our
opportunities."

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