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Located within the award-winning Martin Luther King Memorial Gardens, Raleigh, NC, this 12 ton granite sculpture bears the names and attributes of 25 area citizens who distinguished themselves and have made significant contributions in the fields of civil rights, race relations, community improvement and education equality.

The entire stone monument is perpetually covered with a thin veil of clear flowing water creating an environment of introspection and serenity. The monument impressively utilizes ancient Egyptian shapes and themes and blends them with the power of light, stone, water and the written word.

INDUCTEES INTO KING GARDENS WATER MONUMENT   Dr. John T. Caldwell  (1911 - 1995) Chancellor, North Carolina State University Powerful Force In Building Race Relations Ralph Campbell , Sr. (1915 - 1983) Civil Rights Leader Parent Of 1st Child To Integrate Raleigh City Schools in 1960. Father of North Carolina Auditor, Hon. Ralph Campbell, Jr. and Atlanta Mayor, Hon. Bill Campbell. Attorney Fred J. Carnage  (1895 - 1988) Prestigious Civil Rights Lawyer 1st Black On Raleigh School Board Rev. John Chavis  (1763 - 1838) Pioneer Educator 1st Black Ordained Presbyterian Minister in America Dr. Grady D. Davis  (1919 - 1990) Civil Rights Leader: Professor, Shaw University, Pastor, Oberlin Baptist Church Marched & Jailed With Dr. King In Selma, Alabama. Pastor of Union Baptist Church, Durham, N.C. for 27 years. Dr. O. A. Dupree  (1910 - 1984) Legendary Motivator & Youth Developer, Professor, Shaw University   Sister Gary  (1906 - 1978) Pioneer TV Gospel Singer Founding Pastor, Weslyean First Church of Deliverance Samuel Harris  (1885 - 1947) Founder, Harris Barber College 1st Boarding Barber School In North Carolina Joseph H. Holt , Sr. (1907 - 1995) In 1956, 1st Parent to Take Legal Action To Integrate Raleigh Public Schools   Charles G. Irving , Sr. (1896 - 1994) Businessman, Civil Rights Leader, President: NAACP, American Legion & Masons   Paul R. Jervay , Sr. (1906 - 1993) Businessman, Founding Publisher & Editor The Carolinian Newspaper   Dr. John R. Larkins  (1915 - 1980) Researcher In Black Economic And Social Conditions and Noted Lecturer   Calvin E. Lightner  (1876 - 1960) Founder, Lightner Funeral Home Master Builder Along Hargett Street; Davie Street Presbyterian Church, Shaw University Father of Raleigh's First African-American Mayor Hon. Clarence Lightner; Grandfather of King Committee Founder Bruce Lightner Mr. Clarence E. Lightner  (1921-2002) Highly regarded leader in local and national civic affairs. Raleigh's first African-American Mayor elected in 1973. Son of Calvin E. Lightner and father of MLK Garden's designer Bruce E. Lightner. Rev. John W. Ligon  (1869 - 1925) Influential Minister & Educator Pastor, Tupper Memorial Baptist Church, 1st Black High School Named After Him Attorney Samuel S. Mitchell  (1917 - 1982) Legendary Civil Rights Lawyer Counsel To Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. First Black Judge To Serve In Raleigh, North Carolina Berry O’Kelly  (1864 - 1931) Businessman, Educator & Civil Rights Leader Founder, National Black Business League J. J. Sansom , Jr. (1916 - 1989) Businessman, Civil Rights Leader President, Mechanics & Farmers Bank James A. Shepard  (1903 - 1979) Businessman, Voting Rights Leader Noted Political Strategist Vee P. Stephenson  (1931 - 1995) Civic Leader Mother Of The Martin Luther King, Jr. All-Children’s Choir Avery C. Upchurch  (1928 - 1994) Raleigh Mayor 1983 - 1993 Helped Establish Martin Luther King Memorial Gardens Dr. Charles W. Ward  (1915 - 1988) Esteemed Civil Rights Leader, NAACP President Pastor, First Baptist Church   Harveleigh M. White  (1923 - 1975) Champion Civil Rights Leader President, Method Civil League & NAACP Willie Dean "Pat" White  (1944 - 1964) All-American In Football, Baseball, Basketball, Track & Tennis America’s Only True Champion In All Sports: Ligon High School, Raleigh, NC Peter Hines Williams  (1913 - 1979) Legendary Football & Baseball Coach, Ligon High School Little Blues   Dr. Gus Witherspoon  (1920 - 1994) Noted Educator and Longtime Professor, N.C. State University Community Activist & Youth Motivator