In Straight from the Top, the author invites readers into the transformative life of a young Black man from New Orleans, whose experiences span the turbulent decades from the early 1950s to the present. This compelling narrative chronicles his evolution against the backdrop of a nation grappling with segregation and the profound impacts of war.

The story begins with the family’s relocation to Las Cruces, New Mexico after the author’s father returned from the Korean War. There, he navigated the challenges of an all-Black school system until the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling opened doors to integrated education. Through his experiences, including learning Spanish and confronting the realities of segregation, he develops a rich understanding of diverse cultures and communities.