Final answer:
Booker T. Washington was an influential African-American educator and leader who founded the Tuskegee Institute and promoted the economic advancement of African Americans through education and vocational training.
Step-by-step explanation:
Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) was an African-American educator, orator, and important political leader during the turn of the century. Born into slavery, Washington became a driving force in the post-Reconstruction era, advocating for the educational and economic advancement of African Americans through the establishment of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute in 1881. This institution focused on providing African Americans with practical skills and vocational training, which Washington believed were vital for gaining respect and self-reliance. Although he was sometimes criticized for appearing to accommodate segregated societal norms, he was also strategic, supporting black liberal arts colleges and early civil rights causes. As an author, Washington wrote about his beliefs and experiences, most notably in his autobiography, 'Up From Slavery'. His nuanced approach to advocating for African American advancement made him a prominent and sometimes controversial figure in American history.