The Sixth Generation is an unapologetically honest account of a Black man's journey through a society shaped by White male dominance. Mel exposes entrenched perceptions about class and race as he artfully describes how he came to understand them, the doubts and insecurities they inflicted on him, and his successes and failures at confronting, overcoming and trying to change them. Mel's story is deeply rooted in his family's history that traces back to a matriarch enslaved in America in 1789 and in his own history that started in a house with no electricity or plumbing and culminated in Congress and a vital role in preserving the American dream of homeownership. His story is a compelling coming of age tapestry of how enduring family bonds, perseverance and critical decisions empowered him to challenge and overcome societal expectations and odds.