Born a slave, proposed an idea known as the Atlanta Compromise. This idea suggested that African Americans focus on economic prosperity rather than civil rights.

Answer 1

The individual you're referring to is Booker T. Washington. Born into slavery in 1856, Washington became a prominent African American educator, author, and advisor to several presidents. He is best known for his 1895 speech known as the Atlanta Compromise, delivered at the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia.

In this speech, Washington argued that African Americans should focus on vocational education and economic self-improvement rather than immediate demands for civil rights and political representation. He believed that by proving their economic value and gaining a foothold in the workforce, African Americans would gradually earn the respect of white Americans and, in time, achieve equality. This approach was controversial and sparked significant debate within the African American community, particularly in contrast to the more activist approaches proposed by figures like W.E.B. Du Bois.