In 1959, 1960, and 1963, more than 182 people took part in the Biloxi Beach Wade-in protests to gain access to the beach, and their actions left a proud heritage to their families. Many participants were teenagers at the time, many have since died, and many are still living. Clemon Perry Jimerson, Sr. worked to author and compile the names of the participants out of a commitment that these civil rights heroes should be remembered. Through a collaboration involving the National Parks Community Input Team, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, and the Mississippi State University Gulf Coast Community Design Studio, funding was received through the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area Program to design a memorial listing the names of the Biloxi wade-in participants. The proposed memorial would honor those who sacrificed their lives and livelihood in order to gain access to the beach by placing their names on a wall along a sloped walk that goes onto the beach.