The Atlanta Exposition speech, also known as the Atlanta Compromise, was delivered by Booker T. Washington on September 18, 1895, at the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia. Washington, a prominent African American leader and educator, used the speech to outline his philosophy on race relations and economic progress for African Americans in the post-Reconstruction South.

In the speech, Washington emphasized the need for African Americans to focus on vocational education, economic advancement, and self-improvement rather than political agitation or social integration. He called for black and white Americans to work together for mutual benefit and the economic development of the South. Washington famously stated, "In all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress."

The Atlanta Exposition speech was controversial at the time, with some African American leaders criticizing Washington for advocating accommodation and compromise with white supremacy. However, Washington's ideas resonated with many white Americans, including influential figures such as President Theodore Roosevelt, who saw him as a moderate voice for racial progress.

Overall, the Atlanta Exposition speech is a significant moment in Black history as it reflected the complexities and challenges of race relations in the late 19th century and sparked ongoing debates within the African American community about the best strategies for achieving equality and advancement.