Amazon.com description: Product Description: Born a slave, Booker T. Washington, faced the cruel realities of his condition and overcame post slavery poverty through pure will, determination, and education. Through his many challenges in early life, he learned the value of self-reliance, which informed his decision to create the Tuskegee Institute, July 4, 1881, which still stands today! The lesson plans were designed to aid the students in pulling themselves up from desperate economic conditions and into independence. Though there were contemporaries of the black intellectual community who did not fully agree with his values; Mr. Washington was highly respected during his era. Booker T. Washington’s story is one of triumph over tremendous obstacles. This is a “must read” for everyone!