Nine years after Liberia’s President, Charles D. B. King, visited the United States and toured the renowned Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, his vision for advancing education and national development came to fruition. In 1929, the Booker T. Washington Agricultural and Industrial Institute (BWI) was established as Liberia’s first agricultural and vocational institution. The Institute was named in honor of the distinguished African American educator and visionary leader, Booker T. Washington.
President King’s aspiration to build a sustainable foundation for Liberia’s future—grounded in agricultural and industrial advancement—was promptly set into motion upon his return. Central to this initiative was the engagement of Robert Robinson Taylor, the first African American graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who was commissioned to design the Institute’s campus. This ambitious undertaking was supported by the generous donation of 1,000+ acres of land in Kakata, located in present-day Margibi County.
The establishment of BWI in Kakata was made possible through collaborative efforts and likely financial support from notable partners, including the Firestone Natural Rubber Company, the Phelps-Stokes Fund, the American Colonization Society, various missionary organizations, and dedicated individual benefactors.
Since its founding, the Booker T. Washington Agricultural and Industrial Institute has cultivated an exceptional and influential body of alumni. Graduates of BWI have extended their impact across the globe, contributing diverse expertise, knowledge, and perspectives across multiple fields and industries.
Recognizing the importance of a unified and far-reaching alumni network, the establishment of a global alumni association represents a strategic advancement for the institution. Such a network fosters meaningful connections across borders, facilitates professional collaboration, and unlocks access to international career pathways and opportunities. It also brings together alumni from diverse cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds, thereby strengthening innovation, enhancing problem-solving capabilities, and deepening cross-cultural understanding.
Furthermore, strong alumni engagement is closely linked to philanthropic support and institutional growth. A global alumni network significantly broadens the base of potential donors, advocates, and strategic partners committed to the continued advancement of BWI.
In alignment with these aspirations, the Booker Washington Global Alumni Association has been formally established.
Through its global alumni community, the Institute seeks to expand its institutional reach and elevate its academic standing. Alumni will serve as distinguished ambassadors, actively promoting the BWI brand on the international stage, supporting student and faculty recruitment, and fostering strategic partnerships with leading global organizations.
We warmly invite you to join this transformative journey as we work collectively to strengthen and elevate the Booker T. Washington Agricultural and Industrial Institute. Guided by the visionary leadership of the late President Charles D. B. King and inspired by his early 20th-century dream, we now embrace the innovations of the 21st century. This includes the integration of modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), which should be introduced as part of the Institute’s academic offerings for students in the coming years.
Together, we honor the past while shaping a dynamic and progressive future for BWI and its global community.
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