Leland is trying to help the next generation reach the same heights that he did.
During his time as a NASA Astronaut, he completed two space shuttle missions to the International Space Station. In the years since then, he has been following in his parents' footsteps.
He told Space.com that he's been connecting with youth around the world through a series of free online classes he teaches with the platform.
The most rewarding thing that I have gotten from flying in space is coming back and helping other people to believe that they can do it as well.
"Your Astronaut Questions, Answered" is the next class that will be taught by Melvin.
Leland Melvin went from the NFL to space.
"I'm trying to honor her legacy, because she was a school teacher," he said. I think about the kids that were trying to inspire the little girls. She's happy that I'm carrying on her legacy.
People in his hometown of Lynchburg, Virginia, tell him that he's a great astronaut, not that he's a great father or mother.
He shared the story of coming home from one of his spaceflights and attending a parade. He shared that he was on a fire truck with Robert Kirby in the parade, and that he pointed to the two little boys and their dad in orange pumpkin suits. "And their dad points and taps them and says, 'Look right there,'" he said.
Leland was an associate administrator for education at NASA and read from the book "The Moon Over Star" to first and third graders at Ferebee-Hope Elementary School. In the year 2014, Melvin retired from NASA. The image is from NASA.
It was almost as though the father injected rocket fuel into their little bodies, because they just started spinning, and they saw someone who looked like them. We had on our flight suits as well. It was one of those moments where we locked eyes and made it possible for those kids.
There are more examples of the power of inspiration that he has seen. He said that he's been able to share the stories of space and science with underrepresented communities.
He talked about a school group that he was able to share a song with.
"These kids are black and brown and historically have been underserved, underrepresented, no access to opportunity and a lot of times no belief in themselves, so we were able to instill that belief in them through that moment."
It's important to break down all the things that can help them see the path. "So important," he said. We want kids to dream. They will solve the problems to saving our planet, to helping our climate, to bring us together.
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