Why did w. e.b. dubois move to ghana? william edward burghardt dubois was an industrious civil rights activist, political leader, writer, and educator who led a vigorous fight against racism during the heart of the american struggle over civil rights. dr. martin luther king jr. called dubois a “tireless explorer and a gifted discoverer of social truth.” 2born in 1868 in massachusetts, dubois was raised in a largely white area. his father left his family while dubois was still young. dubois sustain his family by accepting jobs from white people. he attracted the approval of his white neighbors because of his drive to get a good