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[Coop and Dino singing]

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Booker T. Washington was born a slave… … but he had big dreams of learning to read [Booker T Washington outside a mansion]

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and write.

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Yeah…your big dreams might be to become president or go into space…

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… but for a slave, being able to get through a Judy Blume novel was pretty much the pinnacle. [An astronaut floating in space]

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Anyway, after Washington was granted his freedom – Score! - he started to work in the coal

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mines during the day… and go to school in the evenings. [Washington in a classroom on an evening]

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His love for learning continued to grow.

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He was uber-hungry for knowledge.

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And for biscuits and gravy, but who wouldn’t be? [Washington sat with a plate of biscuits and gravy]

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Just look at that stuff…

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Washington heard about the Hampton Institute and immediately knew he wanted to go there.

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He left his home to attend the school, walking over 500 miles to get there. [Washington walking]

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Not…every day, of course.

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No matter what tall tale he told his grandkids…

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Washington ran out of money on his way to the Institute…

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…so he had to work and earn some cashola before he could attend. [Washington working in a fast-food store]

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He finally had enough money saved up to get started at the school…

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…but funds soon ran dry, and he had to begin working as a janitor to pay his way. [Washington mopping the floor in a school]

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That’s one way to clean up your act.

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Eventually, Washington graduated with honors, and became a teacher.

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He founded the Tuskegee Institute, a black college in Alabama.

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Washington worked hard during his life to fight for the rights of African Americans

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and students just like him. [Washington giving a speech]

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So that, today, they can dream a bit bigger than just…

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...being able to write out a grocery shopping list… [Washington as a slave outside a mansion]

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