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Workforce Education appears to be a goldmine in the state of Florida. As of December 2003, annual job growth statistics reveal that Florida ranked number one in the nation in new jobs and tied for number one in percent change relative to other populous states (Georgia, Texas, New Jersey, and New York). The purpose of Florida's Workforce Education Program is to provide career and technical education as well as other educational services to help students attain those skills that enable them to become or remain economically self-sufficient. The purpose of this article is to explore the necessity for students to participate in programs that offer less than bachelor degrees while recognizing the importance of higher education, particularly in the African American community. It addresses the viewpoints of two African-American leaders, Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. DuBois, in light of today's dilemma of how best to address the needs of African-American youth. These two men believed education was essential in African Americans' overcoming of the social ills of their time; Washington put his faith in skills and trade, and DuBois believed that equality and education were more important than wealth. (Contains 1 table.)