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 was a prominent African American leader and educator at the time, and his speech outlined his philosophy on race relations and economic empowerment for African Americans in the post-Reconstruction South.

In the speech, Washington advocated for Black economic self-reliance and cooperation with white Americans in the South. He emphasized the importance of vocational education and skills training for African Americans to improve their economic status and contribute to society. Washington also called for Blacks to accept segregation and disenfranchisement temporarily in exchange for economic opportunities and gradual social progress.

The Atlanta Exposition Speech was controversial at the time, as it was seen as accommodationist by some African American leaders who were pushing for more radical and immediate demands for civil rights and political equality. However, Washington's approach resonated with many white Americans and helped to solidify his position as a leading spokesperson for African American issues in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Atlanta Exposition Speech remains a significant moment in Black history as it reflects the complexities and different approaches within the Black community to navigate the challenges of racism and discrimination in the Jim Crow era.