What was the main topic of Du Bois' essay?

The idea of "the talented tenth" discusses the notion of
where political power and change for African- Americans will originate.  The idea in Du
Bois' speech is that only one out of ten African- American will have the training and
education in order to lead their race and lead the world in achieving social change.  Du
Bois seeks to increase this number through the establishment of the Historically Black
College and empower those who are in need. As opposed to creating a condition where
people of color, particularly African- Americans, work in factories or in settings where
financial income is one of relative comfort, Du Bois is more concerned with how there
can be a transformation of power and a fuller understanding of political autonomy.  It
is in this light that Du Bois argues that the "talented tenth" will end up being more
meaningful and significant than social compromises that have African- Americans making a
paltry living in factories and being anonymous in this power
structure.