PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Mr. William Richard Craft Phoenix Publications PhoenixPublications.net PhoenixPublications@yahoo.com

Black American Economic Independence Day July 4, 1881

Economic independence is the foundation of political independence we must act in these matters before others from foreign lands rob us of our birthright... Land ownership is the foundation of all wealth. Booker T. Washington Except from The Booker T. Washington Chronicles by William Richard Craft, Historical Researcher

Norfolk, VA, Tuesday, July 2, 2013 If the truth be told (And, thus far, this has not been so.), then, and only then, will Black Americans have found a reason to celebrate the Fourth of July. On this date, in 1881, Dr. Booker T. Washington opened the doors of Tuskegee Industrial and Normal Institute of Alabama, establishing a presence and foundation for all Black Americans to proudly give credence and deference to the uplifting of the race in its drive for self-sufficiency. On July 4 and from that day forth, we shall celebrate Black American Economic Independence Day. From their own hands, amidst the ruins of an old AME Zion Church, Tuskegee students, faculty and townspeople, under the direction of Dr. Washington, fired bricks from the clay on the land in their own kiln and built an industrial learning center that was modeled in Japan and China. Originally situated on 4,000 acres of land, lumber from the forest was processed in the sawmill they built. They installed electrical, water and sewer lines and even processed butter and three kinds of cheeses from the facilitys herd of cattle. By 1913, up from one man and 30 students, the school had a student body of approximately 1,600 including 165 teachers and officers. 103 buildings with a five-mile railroad (provided by the State of Alabama) that went from the Institutes warehouses to the town of Cheehaw. It included a Childrens House where future teachers practiced their skills and Carnegie Library with a building cost of $20,000. In 1892, Tuskegee opened the first hospital for Blacks in Alabama, which was renamed The John A. Andrew Memorial Hospital in 1913 because of a donation from the then governor of Massachusetts. In the same year, the property was valued at $1.5 million. There was broom making, carpentry classes and courses in the sciences and nature studies including agriculture and the harvesting of sugar cane. Training in sheet metal work, industrial sewing, machinery repair, mattress making, blacksmithing, plumbing and even interior decorations were taught on campus. Essentially what was being taught was civil engineering and nation building skills.

Born a slave on Apr. 5, 1856 died Nov.14, 1915 - Dr. Washingtons mantra of black economic empowerment, land ownership and self-help has been the cry of black leadership such as Marcus Garvey, Noble Drew Ali, Elijah Muhammad, A. G. Gaston and others. He authored more than 15 books including Up From Slavery, which is translated into every civilized language. And, in 1900, Dr. Washington helped to establish and became President of the National Negro Business League (NNBL), which eventually grew to 322 chapters. In 1915, at Dr. Washingtons last NNBL meeting held in Chicago, there were 700 delegates from 39 states. "The League organized the National Negro Business Service to 'help . . the Negro business men of the country solve their merchandising and advertising problems,' promoted advertising in Negro newspapers and magazines, and 'influenced . . . national advertisers to use Negro publications in reaching this importantly valuable group of people with its tremendous purchasing power.'" (WIKI) According to Mr. William Richard Craft, author of The Booker T. Washington Chronicles, "the purpose of this volume is to vindicate this most unjustly maligned, great man, who Rev. Dr. Adam Clayton Powell, Sr. honored as "Greatest Negro ever produced in America". He also stated that criticisms against Dr. Washington were "motivated by jealousy" and, additionally, the need to get Booker T. Washington out of the way so that the NAACP's agenda could be advanced. Dr. Washingtons autobiography has been distributed worldwide as Up from Slavery and The Story of My Life and Work need not be told in this volume. It is an anthology of the most powerful articles and speeches by and about Dr. Washington." What others have said about this book: Recently I had the privilege of reading your book of the Booker T. Washington Chronicles, and I find this book to be very compelling, very well written and to the point. I think that readers will find this book to be a must read. I anxiously await more of your writings. Bravo! - Betty Williams, Demopolis, Alabama "These are the most important history books available for Blacks in America. Everyone should purchase and read his books and allow themselves to become liberated. These books will dispel the lies about this mans character and the great contributions he made to uplift and provide the leadership that is still useful today...given the shameful condition that, "black leaders" have managed to con black people into believing things that are impossible to ever achieve. Booker T. Washington had the answer then and his work is relevant today. Don't waste another minute...buy these books and give them, after reading, to your kids." - Chevis King, Jr. Dallas, TX I absolutely found the book riveting, illuminating and extremely helpful for my greater grasp of the entire person - Booker T. Washington. I very much enjoyed reading the various correspondences from some who opposed Booker T. Washington and then later apologized. The newspaper articles from those who may not have agreed with him in full, yet defended him and pointed out what he was actually accomplishing, were enlightening - Gloria Jackson - Great-grand-daughter of Dr. Washington The Booker T. Chronicles include letters, memorandum and articles from Adam Clayton Powell Sr., Madame C. J. Walker, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Emmitt J. Scott and Theodore Roosevelt. The Booker T. Chronicles is now available through Phoenix Publications, which Mr. Craft established after he attended th his 50 year class reunion from Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia. According to the author, Mr. Washingtons history was never taught to us and his name never mentioned except in a very negative reference by a member of the NAACP. This book has been published to carry forth the words and the deeds of Dr. Booker T. Washington to a new generation. July 4 is hereby proclaimed as Black American Economic Independence Day. Lets celebrate. - THE END th

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