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Restoring Historic Greenwood Cemetery

How recycled materials helped restore one of the oldest African American cemeteries in America.

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Greenwood Cemetery is the final resting place of over 50,000 African Americans whose legacies stretch back generations. But for years, erosion and neglect made the site nearly impossible to access. That changed when a group of volunteers decided not to let history disappear.

In this episode of Sustainably Speaking, we visit with the Greenwood community about how they worked with engineers, nonprofits, and recycled materials to reopen the cemetery’s main road and preserve the stories buried there.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • Why Engineers Without Borders, the ACC and the community came together to support the project
  • How permeable pavers and recycled materials helped to restore the cemetery for years to come
  • What the restoration has meant for families across the country
  • How Greenwood is now inspiring similar restoration efforts nationwide

Guest Bios

  • Shelly Morris, Secretary, Greenwood Cemetery Preservation Association

    Shelly Morris is the Secretary and Treasurer of the Greenwood Cemetery Preservation Association. For nearly a decade, she’s been at the heart of efforts to reclaim and restore Greenwood Cemetery—a historic 32-acre burial ground established in 1874 as the first nonsectarian cemetery for African Americans in the St. Louis area. Shelly works to uncover buried stories, reconnect families with loved ones, and bring students and volunteers into the restoration effort.

  • Raphael Morris, President, Greenwood Cemetery Preservation Association

    Raphael Morris is the President of the Greenwood Cemetery Preservation Association. A lifelong St. Louisan, Raphael rediscovered Greenwood after a local news report—and realized his own ancestors were buried there. Since 2015, he’s led hands-on efforts to reclaim the overgrown cemetery, logging thousands of volunteer hours alongside his wife Shelly. His deep personal ties to the land, combined with his role as a caretaker and organizer, have made him the driving force behind Greenwood’s restoration.

  • Boris Martin, CEO Engineers without Borders

    Dr. Boris Martin is the CEO of Engineers Without Borders USA, a nonprofit that partners with underserved communities to design and implement sustainable infrastructure solutions. Under his leadership, EWB has expanded its impact both globally and within the United States—bringing technical expertise to projects that address critical needs like clean water, safe roads, and climate resilience. At Greenwood Cemetery, Dr. Martin helped lead a partnership that turned years of flooding and erosion into an opportunity for sustainable, long-lasting restoration.

  • Mia Quinn, Senior Director, Public Affairs at American Chemistry Council

    Mia Quinn leads efforts to communicate the plastics industry’s major sustainability initiatives. She works to bring together experts to share insights in key areas of sustainability, including public policy, product design, recycling, and infrastructure. She is passionate about collaboration, clear communication, and engaging audiences to learn more about innovation and modern solutions for our communities and our country. Mia has a degree in political science from Washington University in St. Louis. She grew up in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado and is a lifelong Denver Broncos fan. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two sons.

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