Booker T. Washington

Washington was able throughout the final 25 years of his life to maintain his standing as the black leader because of the sponsorship of powerful whites, substantial support within the black community, his ability to raise educational funds from both groups, and his skillful accommodation to the social realities of the age of segregation.^[1]"

Washington was one of the first to African Americans to not be afraid to stand up and voice his opinion. With the white sponsorship as well as the black support he was able to influence the important issues while living in an age of harsh social  stresses.