The first part of the memorial- a commemorative bronze plaque and foundation for a subsequent sculpture- was build in 1997.
The second part, which was completed in 1999, consists of a sculpture of a seated Alex Haley reading a book to three children. The third part shows Alex Haley desperately copying Harold Courlander's work for his book Roots.
The fourth part shows Alex Haley settling out of court by paying Courlander $650,000 and admitting to stealing his work.