Final answer:
Booker T. Washington was the most influential black leader and educator in the U.S. between 1895 and 1915; he founded Tuskegee Institute and sought to empower African Americans through education and vocational training, despite criticisms for accommodating segregation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option is D:
The most influential black leader and educator in the U.S. between 1895 and 1915 was D) Booker T. Washington. He was an African American who rose from enslavement to prominence, advocating for black empowerment through education and entrepreneurship. Washington placed significant emphasis on the practical education of African Americans, founding the Tuskegee Institute, a vocational school aimed at teaching students skills to climb the social ladder.
Booker T. Washington's notable influence included raising funds for black schools and colleges and engaging in early civil rights initiatives in a discreet manner. Despite criticism for appearing to accommodate segregation, Washington saw basic education and job training as essential for economic progress and eventual social equality. He strategically sought to gain support from both black and white communities for vocational education, which he believed would be a stepping stone to greater achievements for African Americans.
Meanwhile, W.E.B. Du Bois, another prominent leader, opposed Washington's strategies and pushed for more direct action towards social and educational equality. Du Bois advocated for higher education for African Americans and fought against segregation, viewing any form of accommodation as a compromise to the principles of equality and justice.