Standing on The Shoulders of Greatness: Celebrating the Global Impact of Chicago’s Black Pioneers

Chicago’s story begins with the region’s original inhabitants—the Miami, Sauk, Fox, and Potawatomi tribes—and the city’s first recorded non-indigenous settler, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable.

Since Chicago’s incorporation in 1837, the city has grown from a population of just 4,000 to nearly 2.7 million, boasting global influence in architecture (home to the world’s first skyscraper), music (the birthplace of electric blues, house music, and pioneering jazz), and sports (one of the few U.S. cities with teams in all five major American leagues).

In honor of Black History Month, we’re spotlighting several visionary Chicagoans— artists, advocates, and champions— who have all passed on but left enduring legacies—carrying forward the pioneering spirit of Jean Baptiste Point du Sable first.

The?Obama Presidential Center, which is?slated to open in Jackson Park in 2026, will serve as a global destination for civic engagement and community programming. It will stand as a testament to Barack Obama’s legacy and the enduring impact of visionary Chicagoans, like those spotlighted here, who helped pave the way before him.

The wide-ranging contributions of those profiled here are intended to illustrate how Chicago’s diversity is and always has been its greatest strength.

Jean Baptiste Point du Sable (1745–1818)

Often called the “Father of Chicago,” Jean Baptiste Point du Sable was the first permanent non-indigenous settler in the area. Likely born in Haiti around 1745 to a French mariner and an African-descended mother, Du Sable was educated in France before traveling to New Orleans and eventually settling in Peoria, Illinois. After marrying a Potawatomi woman named Catherine, Du Sable arrived near the mouth of the Chicago River around 1779, establishing a prosperous trading post and farm. Historical records suggest his property was far from modest—complete with a spacious cabin, outbuildings, and even an orchard. Fluent in multiple languages, Du Sable served as an entrepreneur and mediator among Native Americans, British, and French explorers. His legacy as Chicago’s founder was formally recognized in 1968, and the site of his settlement was named a National Historic Landmark in 1976. Link to read more.

Ida B. Wells (1862–1931)

A fearless investigative journalist, Ida B. Wells exposed the realities of lynching in the late 19th century and became a powerful voice for civil rights. She helped found the NAACP, fought for Black representation at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, and eventually settled in Chicago to raise her family. Her legacy is celebrated today by Ida B. Wells Drive, the first downtown street named after a woman of color. Link to read more.

Bessie Coleman (1892–1926)

Bessie Coleman overcame discrimination to become the first Black and Native American woman to earn an international pilot’s license. Born in Atlanta, Texas, she moved to Chicago in 1915, learned French, and traveled to France to attend the Caudron School of Aviation. In 1921, she earned her license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, returning home to barnstorm and captivate audiences—over 2,000 people attended her first Chicago exhibition in 1922. Though she died in a plane crash in 1926, her pioneering legacy inspired the Challenger Air Pilots Association and continues to embolden aviators today. Link to read more.

Margaret Burroughs (1917–2010)

A teacher, poet, activist, and artist, Margaret Burroughs was a driving force behind the establishment of the DuSable Museum of African American History. Growing up in Englewood, she taught at DuSable High School for 20 years and founded numerous cultural institutions, including the South Side Community Arts Center, at the age of 22. Her dedication to celebrating Black art and history continues to inspire future generations.?Click the link to read more.

Muddy Waters (1913–1983)

Hailing from Mississippi, Muddy Waters moved to Chicago in the 1940s and recorded with what would become the legendary Chess Records. Known as the “Father of Chicago Blues,” he laid the foundation for rock and roll’s evolution. His influence resonates across music genres, with icons like The Rolling Stones naming themselves after his track “Rollin’ Stone.” Link to read more.

Gwendolyn Brooks (1917–2000)

A poet from Chicago’s South Side, Gwendolyn Brooks published her first poem at age 13 and her first collection, A Street in Bronzeville, in 1945. She became the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1950. Her vivid portrayals of Chicago life continue to stand as landmarks in American literature. Link to read more.

Harold Washington (1922–1987)

Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Harold Washington rose through the ranks of local and state politics before making history in 1983 as Chicago’s first African American mayor. After serving in the Illinois General Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives, Washington ran a groundbreaking mayoral campaign that brought together a broad coalition of Black, Latino, and progressive white voters. Once in office, he faced fierce opposition from the city’s entrenched political machine—often referred to as “Council Wars”—yet remained steadfast in his commitment to equity, transparency, and neighborhood-focused governance. Under Washington’s leadership, minority representation in city government expanded significantly, and his inclusive approach reshaped the political landscape. His transformative legacy continues to guide Chicago’s pursuit of more equitable and effective leadership. Link to read more.

Jewel Lafontant (1922–1997)

A trailblazing attorney and public servant, Jewel Lafontant (née Stradford) was born and raised in Chicago—where she later became the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Chicago Law School (1946). Renowned for her civil rights advocacy, Lafontant served as one of the first Black women to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court and went on to become the nation’s first female Deputy Solicitor General under President Nixon. Throughout her distinguished career, she championed equitable access to justice, mentoring countless young lawyers and breaking barriers at every turn. Lafontant’s deep roots in Chicago and commitment to civil rights have left a lasting mark on both the city and the nation, exemplifying the determination and vision that continue to define Chicago’s legacy. Link to read more.

Merri Dee (1936–2022)

Merri Dee (1936–2022)A pioneering broadcast journalist, philanthropist, and longtime champion of Chicago, Merri Dee overcame a cruel upbringing and survived a dangerous hostage situation that nearly ended her life. Hired as one of the first Black news anchors in a major city, she became an inspiring role model by turning her near-death experience into a lifelong mission to help other victims of violence. As head of community relations at WGN, Dee raised more than $30 million for Chicago charities benefiting children and spearheaded an award-winning public service campaign for orphaned children, which former Governor Jim Edgar credited in 1998 with boosting adoptions in Illinois by 50%. Reflecting on her commitment, Ms. Dee said in a 2005 interview, “I made up my mind to get involved so that no other child would go through what I went through.” As noted on the TODAY Show following her passing in 2022, hers was truly, a life well-lived. Link to read more.

From Jean Baptiste Point du Sable’s pioneering settlement and Ida B. Wells’ fearless journalism to Gwendolyn Brooks’ stirring poetry, Margaret Burroughs’ cultural advocacy, Bessie Coleman’s groundbreaking aviation feats, Harold Washington’s inclusive leadership, and Merri Dee’s unwavering philanthropy—each of these remarkable individuals helped shape Chicago in their extraordinary way. May these stories remind us of the creativity, tenacity, and resilience that make Chicago a global powerhouse—and inspire us to continue building a city of opportunity for everyone.

Additional Resources to consider:

10 Iconic Black Chicagoans You Should Know For Black History Month And Beyond

Meet the Notable Black Leaders for 2024

Vintage Chicago Tribune: 24 Incredible Black Chicagoans

?