Shelley v. Kraemer was a landmark United States Supreme Court case decided in 1948. The case involved a Black family, the Shelleys, who purchased a home in a segregated neighborhood in St. Louis, Missouri. However, there was a restrictive racially-based covenant on the property that barred Black individuals from owning or residing in the home. When the Shelleys attempted to move in, a group of white residents took legal action to enforce the covenant.

The Supreme Court ultimately ruled in Shelley's favor, declaring that the enforcement of racially restrictive housing covenants by state courts violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. This decision was a significant victory for the civil rights movement, as it struck a blow against the practice of racial segregation in housing. The ruling helped pave the way for future legal battles and legislation aimed at dismantling discriminatory housing practices and promoting fair housing opportunities for all Americans.

Shelley v. Kraemer is considered a key case in the ongoing struggle for racial equality and justice in the United States and is an important part of Black history.