Black History Month Spotlight: Harllel “X” Jones

In the mid-1960s, Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood, like many across the U.S., experienced a period of civil unrest as a result of racial injustice. In response, local community leaders banded together, and many advocates from the area and beyond came to Cleveland to get to the root of the civil injustice that was occurring.

With the guidance and leadership of long-time Cleveland activist, Harllel Jones, many Lutheran pastors, like LMM founder Rev. Richard Sering, were guided on how to best serve the community and fight racial injustice. Harllel’s trailblazing work in Cleveland brought people together and was instrumental in the formation of LMM.

As part of LMM’s 2025 Founder’s Day celebration, a portrait of Mr. Jones (alongside two additional LMM founding members) was created to honor his instrumental role in the founding of LMM and his pioneering work in Cleveland. Mr. Jones’ Founder’s Day portrait was created by Cleveland-based multimedia artist Aaron Williams.

As we celebrate Black History Month, it’s vital that we honor our roots as an agency and honor those who were instrumental throughout LMM and Cleveland’s history.