06/19/2026
At Graceland Cemetery & Arboretum, we honor the enduring legacy of the Black community by celebrating resilience, achievement, and the power of remembrance.
Today, we are highlighting just a few of the remarkable Black individuals whose lives and contributions have left a lasting impact on our community and beyond. We also invite you to explore the rich history, culture, and achievements of the Black community through our self-guided Black History Tour. The tour shares the stories of influential individuals whose leadership, innovation, and perseverance continue to inspire future generations.
Head to your phone’s application store and search for “Graceland Cemetery & Arboretum” to download our app and find our Black History Tour.
➡️ Richard Theodore Greener was an educator, lawyer, diplomat, and civil rights advocate who became the first African American graduate of Harvard College in 1870. He later served as dean of Howard University’s law school, a U.S. diplomat in Russia, and a champion of educational opportunity and racial equality.
➡️ Jewel Lafontant Mankarious was a trailblazing Chicago attorney and public servant who broke racial and gender barriers, becoming the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Chicago Law School and serve as U.S. Deputy Solicitor General. She later served as a U.S. ambassador and refugee affairs coordinator.
➡️ John and Mary Richardson Jones became Chicago’s leading African American activists after arriving in 1845, using their home to aid freedom seekers and support the Underground Railroad. Mary led community and anti-slavery efforts, while John became a successful businessman and the first Black man elected to public office in Cook County in 1871.
Our office is closed today, but our gate hours remain the same.
