MONTGOMERY

Welcoming Bashar Montgomery

“There’s an added richness and depth whenever Black people are involved.”

The Montgomery family was born from Esme’s exploration of her own heritage combined with a deep study and understanding of Black American history. We all know—at least one would hope—that the Caribbean Black population is not the same as the Black American population. Their stories differ, as do their upbringing, culture, and cuisine. While some elements may overlap or blend together under different names or definitions, there has always been a distinct line separating the two cultures. Esme recognized this clearly. To authentically portray her Black American characters, she committed herself to learning more about Black American culture. Although she lives and thrives among them, she is not Black American, and her own culture differs significantly from theirs. For Bashar Montgomery, along with the backstories of his friends, Esme immersed herself in Southern culture, which served as the foundation for her characters. She acknowledged their way of life and intricately wove these elements into her storytelling to create an authentic experience. Esme’s goal has always been for her characters to embody real people. When readers engage with her work, she hopes they see the characters as fully alive and genuine individuals.