Washington was an able fundraiser who received money support from many northern business leaders and

politicians to build several technical schools for African-Americans. He became a leader in the African-
American community due to the support of  black ministers, teachers, and other civil and business leaders. Washington promoted the idea that the best approach for African-Americans to gain a foothold in white society was through hard work, education, and economic accomplishments, before gaining full civil rights. Though he was criticized by individuals and groups such as W.E.B. Dubois and the NAACP for these ideals, Washington secretly provided money for many civil rights cases actively fighting for voting and other rights for blacks.