The statue was commissioned by the City of Kansas City to memorialize Dr. John Wesley Williams, pastor of St. Stephen Baptist Church in Kansas City and a national religious and civil rights leader. The seven-foot tall statue depicts Reverend Williams wearing a suit and tie standing atop a base made of granite and limestone. Kansas City artist Tom Corbin was selected in a national competition to sculpt the statue. Reverend Williams’ widow was so moved by Corbin’s clay bust of her husband that was submitted for the competition that Corbin’s selection was unanimous.