Final answer:
Ida B. Wells was a key Civil Rights leader and investigative journalist known for her exposure of lynching in the U.S. and as a founding member of the NAACP. Her work has left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire investigative journalism and Civil Rights activism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The early Civil Rights leader celebrated for her investigative journalism covering lynchings in the United States and for being one of the founding members of the NAACP is Ida B. Wells. Wells is renowned for her work in documenting the atrocities of lynching and for being a pivotal figure in the anti-lynching movement. Her pioneering journalistic efforts were instrumental in advancing Civil Rights and exposing racial violence.
Wells's seminal work, 'Southern Horror: Lynch Law in All Its Phases,' published in 1892, provided a detailed account of the frequency and consequences of lynching, challenging the societal norms and exposing the racial tensions and injustices faced by African Americans. In addition to her advocacy through journalism, she was significantly involved in various progressive causes including women's rights. Her legacy continues today with the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, inspiring journalists to pursue stories that seek justice and hold power to account.
Ida B. Wells's efforts alongside other prominent figures led to the formation of the NAACP in 1909, a monumental step towards addressing the grave injustices inflicted upon minority groups and advocating for equality and Civil Rights in the United States.