In 1912, Booker T. Washington influenced Julius Rosenwald, President of Sears, Roebuck and Company, to create a foundation which provided better educational opportunities for poor, rural, African American children.

With money contributed by Mr. Rosenwald, as well as funds raised by the community, African American parents took it upon themselves to build better schools for their children.  More than 5,000 schools across the south were built, and offered not only courses such as reading and math, but also gave children real-life skills such as sewing, canning, and gardening.