Mel Watt Chronicles Family History in New Autobiography
Former U.S. Congressman Mel Watt explores his ancestral roots and political journey in his self-published book.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in African-American
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Former U.S. Congressman and federal agency head Mel Watt has released his autobiography, titled The Sixth Generation. The book provides a historical account of his family lineage alongside insights into his extensive career in public service.
Why it matters
By documenting his family history dating back to 1789, Watt offers readers a deeper context for the experiences and milestones that shaped his decades-long career in Washington and North Carolina.
Mel Watt serves as the family's sixth generation representative, whose ancestor Phoebe Roberts established the lineage with seven daughters. Annual family reunions have consistently drawn crowds of more than 700 participants.
The players
Mel Watt
He is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives who served 10 terms and led the Federal Housing Finance Agency for five years.
Harvey Gantt
He is a prominent politician who served as the first African-American mayor of Charlotte.
The details
The autobiography traces Watt's path from his time as one of 13 African-American students in a class of 1,500 at UNC Chapel Hill to his leadership at the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Watt, who managed Harvey Gantt's mayoral campaign, self-published the work through his own portal.
Timeline
1789: Ancestor Phoebe Roberts arrived in the United States.
1906: The family began holding annual reunions in August.
1933: A great-grandfather compiled the foundational family history document.
1967: Mel Watt attended UNC Chapel Hill.
1993: Watt was elected to serve in the U.S. Congress.
Culture Shift
Watt's narrative reflects a growing movement toward the preservation of Southern African-American family history through personal documentation. This trend counters the historical erasure often associated with the mass demographic movements of the 20th century.
Residents of Charlotte and North Carolina can access the book directly through the author's digital platform. The work provides local families with a roadmap for conducting their own genealogical research into regional history.
The takeaway
Preserving lineage through autobiography helps connect personal achievements to the broader history of a community. Readers interested in their own roots can use Watt's methodology of gathering documentation to begin their own family narratives.
Further reading
Discover more local perspectives in the African-American section.
More information
To order the book, visit the website to purchase book.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Business North Carolina.
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