Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial

The memorial takes inspiration from the novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family (and subsequent two TV series, Roots), in which Kunta Kinte was brought to Maryland as a slave in the late 18th century. The book’s author, Alex Haley, based Kunta Kinte on his own Gambian ancestor. At the center of the memorial is a bronze sculpture group, created by sculptor Ed Dwight, depicting Haley reading to three children of different ethnic backgrounds. The nearby Story Wall features 10 plaques inscribed with quotes from Haley's work.

The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial is generally included on walking tours of Annapolis.

• The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial is free to access.

• The memorial is wheelchair accessible.

• A nearby interpretive display explains the memorial’s significance and the meaning of each of its components.

The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial is located at City Dock in downtown Annapolis. It’s within an easy walking distance of major hotels, restaurants, and attractions, including the William Paca House and Garden, a 5-minute walk away. There are several parking garages nearby, including the Noah Hillman Parking Garage and Gott’s Court Garage.

With no opening hours or admission fee, the memorial is open year-round and can be visited at any time of day. To avoid crowds and see the sculpture in a quieter and more reflective atmosphere, consider visiting in the early morning or early evening.

Visitors to Annapolis can dive deeper into the city’s African American heritage at the Museum of Historic Annapolis, where stories of the city’s Civil Rights era are a focus of an upper-floor gallery; the Banneker-Douglass Museum, Maryland’s official repository for African American cultural materials; and the Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center, which preserves and presents the history of what was once the only high school for Black Americans in Anne Arundel County.