Booker T. Washington worked to improve the lives of African-Americans primarily by focusing on gaining economic independence for them. He believed that economic empowerment was an essential step towards achieving racial equality. Washington emphasized the importance of vocational education and practical skills training for African-Americans, encouraging them to gain economic self-sufficiency through hard work. He founded the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, which provided African-Americans with vocational training in various trades and agricultural skills. Washington also promoted the establishment of businesses and industries owned by African-Americans, encouraging entrepreneurship and self-reliance. While he did not actively pursue political rights for African-Americans during his lifetime, his efforts towards economic empowerment had a long-lasting impact on improving their overall socio-economic conditions.
