Dolores Hobley Collection

An unidentified African American man smiles as he takes a large step forward in his cap and gown in celebration while others look on probably in front of Western Baptist Seminary, 2119 Tracy Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. The man next to him has his back turned to the photographer talking to the African American women behind them on the sidewalk. Other graduates and their family and friends stand behind the group on the lawns.

An unidentified African American man in a graduation gown looks seriously at the photographer at probably Western Baptist Seminary, 2119 Tracy Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. Two men have their backs to the photographer behind this man. Another man in cap and gown stands behind him to his left.

An unidentified African American woman squints and smiles while wearing a graduation cap and gown on graduation day, probably on the lawn at Western Baptist Seminary, 2119 Tracy Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. She holds a bouquet of flowers wrapped in tissue paper, a box camera, and a book. A group of people stand behind her visiting.

An unidentified African American man in cap and gown on graduation day, probably Western Baptist Seminary, 2119 Tracy Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, stands on the lawn and looks directly at the photographer without smiling.

An unidentified African American man wearing eyeglasses and in a cap and gown on graduation day, probably Western Baptist Seminary, 2119 Tracy Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, stands on the lawn and grins as he looks directly at the photographer.

An unidentified African American woman grins at the photographer wearing a graduation cap and gown as she stands on the lawn of probably Western Baptist Seminary, 2119 Tracy Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. She hold a book in both hands. Groups of other graduates and their family and friends stand behind her.

An unidentified African American man smiles as he wears a cap and gown for graduation day, probably at Western Baptist Seminary, 2119 Tracy Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. He stands on the sidewalk in front of the building.

A single-file procession of African American students in graduation caps and gowns walk down a sidewalk in front of a brick building with a stone base probably the Western Baptist Seminary, 2119 Tracy Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.

A procession of African American students in graduation caps and gowns walk down a sidewalk in front of a brick building with a stone base probably the Western Baptist Seminary, 2119 Tracy Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. There are others in the line not in caps and gown. One man stands on the lawn with his head down and his back to the photographer wearing a white hat.

A graduating class of 21 African American women and two African American men standing the steps of, likely, the school. Most wear graduation mortar boards, tassels, and robes. Printed at the bottom of the photograph as if written in white ink, "Theus. Photo. Detroit, Mich."