There have been many prominent African Americans who have fought for equal rights. Although not all are recognized like they should be, their choices and actions have made a huge impact on our society today. William Edward Burghardt, mainly known as W. E. B. DuBois, was a civil rights activist, sociologist, author, and many more. Du Bois was the first African American to earn a doctorate. DuBois was also one of the co-founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

DuBois mainly fought against racism. He fought for all people of color, but mainly African Americans and Asians in colonies. DuBois was the leader of the Niagara Movement which was a group of African-American activists who fought and worked hard for equal rights. One of the main things the Niagara Movement fought against was the Atlanta compromise. The Atlanta compromise was an agreement proposed by Booker T. Washington that stated Southern blacks would work and submit to white political rules while the Southern whites agreed that if doing so, Southern blacks will then receive basic education. DuBois fought on FULL civil rights and an increase in political representation.

Many have said W. E. B. DuBois was one of the most influential and prominent intellectuals of the twentieth century.