Booker T Washington ｜ History for Kids ｜ Seed of Melanin Kids!

Welcome to another seed of Melanin School. Class is in session. Today we're learning about Booker T. Washington. Booker T. Washington was one of the most significant public speakers of his time. He founded what is now Tuskegee University. Let's learn about Booker T. Washington. Booker T. Washington was born on April 5th, 1856. He was born into slavery. His mother was a cook on the plantation. After the Civil War, Washington and his mother, newly free from slavery, moved to West Virginia. Booker's family was poor. He had to work at a salt furnace at nine years old, but he was still determined to get an education. Washington's mother bought him a book and he learned the alphabet and to read. In 1872, Washington left home and traveled 500 miles to attend Hampton Normal Agricultural Institute and worked as a janitor to pay tuition. After graduating in 1875 with honors, he went to teach at his old grade school in West Virginia. The Hampton Institute president selected Booker T. Washington to build a trade school called Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute in 1881. 1,500 students would one day attend Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. Booker T. Washington changed the world. In 1901, he became the first African-American to be invited to the White House. He eventually became an advisor to the President Theodore Roosevelt on race relations. Booker T. Washington was one of the most influential speakers for the African-American community in his time. He enhanced the opportunity for African-Americans to gain a quality education in the United States. Visit our website to learn more about Booker T. Washington and download our free black history coloring pages.