The Talented Tenth would act as role models and examples of African Americas who would lead the way for others to follow their example. The idea came in Du Bois's essay, "The Talented Tenth" if you're interested in the details of his acculturation of African Americans into society.
Catherine II, most commonly known as Catherine the Great, was the last reigning Empress of Russia from 1762 until 1796 – the country's longest-ruling female leader.