Beronda L. Montgomery

@berondam.bsky.social

7111 Followers 166 Following

Living my purpose Writer: Books #LessonsFromPlants (https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674241282) & #WhenTreesTestify (https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250335166/whentreestestify/) Professor #Leadership|#Mentoring|#EquityReadingList/#DEIReadingList

Screenshot with text that reads: "In 1776, I would not have been a tenured professor at any university in the US. As a Black woman, a formal education would have been beyond my reach legally. At that time, I would have endured the same fate as my ancestors: I would have been someone’s property. Despite a lack of recognition of their full humanity, African Americans of this era were accomplished scientists and agriculturalists. (Carver, for example, was born enslaved—a fact many fail to recall.)"
Infant Beronda held in the arms of her seated father
Several packs of True to Fruit gummy bears in a plastic ziplock bag
Books on the shelf in a bookstore with When Trees Testify by Beronda L Montgomery in the center
picture of Beronda Montgomery (center) with text above that reads "I am an author who is a part of the 1 million reading Black books summer reading club." and below "hosted by melanatedreader and friends"
Three Black women -Beronda L Montgomery (left), Deborah Rogers (center), and Ashante M Reese (right) standing outside
Flyer with images of Ashante M. Reese (center) and Beronda Montgomery (right) with text that reads: Panel discussion Growing Together: Black History Through Family, Food, and... Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh -Mai (Oakland) Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Painted sign that reads "Happiness is a cup of coffee & a good book"
Flyer with picture of Beronda Montgomery (left) with text that reads: ABAI Association for Behavior Analysis International Lessons from Plants: Pivoting from Gatekeeping to Groundskeeping in Cultivating Inclusive Communities WITH BERONDA MONTGOMERY (Grinnell College) 52nd CONVENTION May 21-25 2026 San Francisco
Blooms on apple tree in nursery
Eddie Glaude in front of bookshelf (upper) and Imani Perry (lower)
Flyer for Book talk with pictures of Chanda Prescod-Weinstein (upper left) and Evelyn M. Hammonds (middle left) and the book cover(lower left) text that reads: Harvard Science Book Talk Chanda Prescod-Weinstein The Edge of Space-Time: Particles, Poetry, and the Cosmic Dream Boogie in conversation with Evelyn M. Hammonds Monday April 27 @ 6:00 PM Science Center, Hall D
Side of yellow cooling container bike with painted tree, Taza chocolate logo and text that reads "It all starts in a tree" "From the farm to us to you"
Two women smiling at the camera, Beronda L Montgomery (left) and April H Brown (right)
Flyer with text that reads: Upcoming When Trees Testify Events April 10-6 PM Symposium Books, Providence, RI in conversation with April H. Brown May 2-11:15 AM Des Moines Book Festival, Des Moines, IA in conversation with John T. Price Panel: Nature's Calling May 19-6:30 PM Arnold Arboretum at Harvard May 30 PGH Book Fest 2026 September 12 Petersburg Book Fest Petersburgh, VA More to come!!
Flyer with images of book When Trees Testify (left,) and Beronda Montgomery (right) and text that reads: All Welcome 240 Westminster St., PVD, RI Join us! at Symposium Books Beronda Montgomery's When Trees Testify Moderator To Be Announced April 10th 6pm
Cover of book Chain of Ideas: The Origins of Our Authoritarian Age by Ibram X Kendi
Brick building with sign for the Museum of African American History - African Meeting House in Boston
Bookstore event flyer with picture of Beronda Montgomery (center) and cover of book When Trees Testify Science Wisdom History and America's Black Botanical Legacy (right). Text to left reads: Beronda Montgomery joins us for talk about When Trees Testify Tuesday, March 24 at 5:30pm at The NewSouth Bookstore We're excited to announce a bookstore talk by Beronda L. Montgomery in connection with her new book, When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America's Black Botanical Legacy. This stunning cultural and personal reclamation of Black history and Black botanical mastery offers up lessons from the natural world shared through the stories of long-lived trees. THE NEWSOUTH BOOKSTORE logo
Podcast episode flyer with pictures of Philip McKenzie (upper left) and Beronda Montgomery (lower right). Text reads: The Deep Dive A culture and insights podcast Episode 252 When Trees Testify w/Dr. Beronda Montgomery
"Think on These Things" sculpture made from wood reclaimed from the Merry Oak tree together with black locust that surrounded by benches with some statues of people in a grassy area with trees in the background
Stacks of the books Lessons from Plants (left) and When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America's Black Botanical Legacy (right) on a table with a burgundy tablecloth that has the text VT Virginia Tech Hokie shop hokieshop.com
Four women -- Marie Buck, Bridget Crocker, Beronda L Montgomery, and Kelly Ramsey (left to right) -- sitting behind table with cloth labelled Western National Parks and Tucson Festival of Books banner hanging overhead behind them)
Flyer with pictures of book When Trees Testify (lower left) and Beronda Montgomery (lower right) with text that reads (top to bottom): Tucson Festival of Books Mar 14-15 2026 University of Arizona Campus www.tucsonfestivalofbooks.irg Beronda Montgomery
Portion of laptop and a cup of coffee on a black table in coffee shop with counter, pastry display, and coffee and tea machines in background.
Two women Annmarie Caño and Beronda Montgomery smiling in front of brown brick building
Trailblazers in Conversation flyer with pictures of Skye Patrick (left) and Beronda Montgomery (right) with text that reads: February 19, 2026 6 PM PT Zoom Dr. Skye Patrick and Dr. Beronda Montgomery
Image of book The Edge of Space-Time: Particles, Poetry, and the Cosmic Dream Boogie by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
Book talk flyer with image of author Beronda Montgomery (left center) and book When Trees Testify (center right). Text above images: join us as we welcome Arkansas native and award-winning plant biologist Arkansas native Beronda L. Montgomery Book discussion and signing Moderator: Dr Felicia Hobbs, Master Gardener Text below images: Beronda L Montgomery Hardback $27.99 February 21st 2026 2:00 p.m. In-person and Pyramid will live stream via Facebook this event
Book event flyer with images of author Beronda Montgomery (upper left), conversation partner Louise Seamster (lower left), book cover of When Trees Testify (right) and text that reads: When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America's Black Botanical Legacy Beronda Montgomery in conversation with Louise Seamster Prairie Lights Books Monday, February 9th, 7-8 pm book signing to follow
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein (left) and Beronda inat table with book When Trees Testify in front and bookshelves full of books behind
Flyer with Five images of Black women with text that reads: Black Authors Matter TV Tuesdays office Facebook live FB @nationalblackbookfestival For the latest in new author releases and book industry news Tuesday, January 27, 2026 @ 7 PM CST/8 PM EST Nicole Glover Fantasy/Mystery Author 7:00 PM nicole-glover.com Suzetta Perkins Best-selling Author 7:30 PM suzettaperkins.com Edwina Dorch Novelist and Psychologist 8:00 PM edwinaldorch.com Beronda L. Montgomery Author/Researcher/Scholar 8:30 PM berondamontgomery.com Sponsored by: National Black Book Festival Host: Rhonda Lawson Author and NBBF Literary Correspondence
Stacks of book When Trees Testify by Beronda Montgomery
Books on store bookshelf including The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer and When Trees Testify by Beronda Montgomery, next to other books
Animated book cover for When Trees Testify
Flyer with image of When Trees Testify book cover (lower left) and Beronda Montgomery (lower right) with text that reads: Tucson Festival of Books Mar 14-15 2026 University of Arizona campus www.tucsonfestivalofbooks.org BERONDA MONTGOMERY
Flyer of event with picture of Beronda L Montgomery (left, upper) & Colah B. Tawkin (left, lower) and cover of book When Trees Testify (right) with text that reads: When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America's Black Botanical Legacy A Charis Hybrid (in-person + virtual) Event Friday, January 30th at 7:30 PM EST
African American woman Beronda Montgomery unboxing book When Trees Testify
Text: Merriam-Webster Your 2026 word Intrepid
Left, upper: photo of Beronda Montgomery Left, lower: photo of Chanda Prescod-Weinstein Right: Cover of the book When Trees Testify by Beronda Montgomery Text: Harvard Book Store Presents a DISCUSSION FEATURING Beronda L. Montgomery with Chanda Prescod-Weinstein Friday, February 6, 7 PM AT HARVARD BOOK STORE CAMBRIDGE, MA LEARN MORE:HARVARD.COM
Left: logos for Beaverdale Books (upper) and Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (middle), and photo of John T. Price (lower); middle: cover of When Trees Testify; and right, photo of author Beronda L. Montgomery Text above photos reads: Meet the Author Beronda L. Montgomery Wednesday, January 21 | 6:30 p.m. Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden 900 Robert D. Ray Drive
Picture of trees and cover of the book When Trees Testify around edges with following text in center: "I KNOW that this book is going to get billed as the 'Braiding Sweetgrass of Black Botanical History,' and while it's going to get WAY OVER STATED in regards to this title, it also happens to be true. This combination of science, history, and personal memoir is absolutely magical.... This transformative history [will] forever change how you think about your place in not only our shared history, but in the history of the ancient giants we walk among every day." -Sara, Bookseller at Crow and Co. Books
"Montgomery delves into a mix of personal connections to these selected species of trees, Black history connected to them, and information about the scientific makeup of the trees themselves.... You probably weren't expecting a book that combines trees and Black history, but this book makes it work, providing a unique approach to learning more about a group of people who haven't often had their story told." -Kelly, Reviewer, 4 Stars on Netgalley
"I absolutely savored every chapter and consider it one of my top favorite reads of this year.... I am a big fan of Montgomery's writing style of grounding each tree reflection to a personal experience and historical context for Black Americans, while still including the science background.... Montgomery's second book has solidified her as one of my favorite authors!" -Miranda, Educator, 5 Stars on Netgalley
"I love books that teach me things that I do not know, and build on topics that I have shallow knowledge of. When the Trees Testify is one of those books! Loved it." -Ada, Reviewer, 4 Stars on Netgalley
"This is part memoir, part history, part botanical education. When Trees Testify looks at the history of eight types of trees and their relationship to Black Americans. From Pecans to Apple trees. From stolen botanical knowledge, to strange fruit, to Black Botanists week. Fans of Michael Twitty, Tiya Miles, and Robin Wall Kimmerer take note." -Jessica, Librarian, 5 Stars on Netgalley
Pictures of six books with text "Library Reads; January 2026 LibraryReads List"
Two Black women smiling, Tananarive Due (upper) & Imani Perry (lower)
Picture of African American woman Octavia Butler with text that reads "Library of America presents 'The Radical Imagination of Octavia E. Butler", with Imani Perry and Tananarive Due
Video cover compilation of book When Trees Testify Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical Legacy Author: Beronda L. Montgomery
Text that reads: When Trees Testify by @beronda_m "A journey through science and the sacred, When Trees Testify is a revelation! Gently tracing the roots of Black land trauma-from poplar trees that bore strange fruit to cotton bolls soaked with the tears of the enslaved-Beronda Montgomery invites us to reckon with a botanical inheritance long buried beneath silence and sorrow. This powerful book illuminates an ennobling legacy... I will never see a tree the same way again." -Ruha Benjamin, award-winning author
Picture of book When Trees Testify with text that reads: "A beautiful journey through the imagination and intellect of one of our most important contemporary science writers. Montgomery is an inheritor of the Black ecological tradition, who brings her heart and knowledge to bear on the world around us, offering deep illumination and abundant wisdom." -Imani Perry, National Book Award-winning author of South to America
Picture of my forthcoming book When Trees Testify with text that reads: "Absolutely essential reading for anyone interested in the convergences of human and plant lives. Full of joy, sorrow, and brilliant insight, this book forever changed how I think about trees and American ecology and history." -David George Haskell, biologist and two-time Pulitzer Prize-finalist When Trees Testify Science, Wisdom, History. and America's Black Botanical O Legacy BERONDA L. MONTGOMERY H
Picture of book When Trees Testify with text that reads: "When Trees Testify is a profound journey into the heart of America. Trees invite us into the entangled lives, loves, and freedom struggles of those who came before us and those who will come after us. I learned things about trees and people that made me laugh, cry, and gasp in wonder. I wish everyone could read it." -Katie Holten, bestselling author of The Language of Trees When Trees Testify Science, Wisdom, History, and America's Black Botanical O Legacy BERONDA L. MONTGOMERY
Book event flyer with text that reads: Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless: What Fungi Taught Me about Nourishment, Poison, Ecology, Hidden Histories, Zombies, and Black Survival --Maria Pinto in Conversation with Kiese Laymon November 11th, 2025 7:30 PM EST Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless: What Fungi Taught Me about Nourishment, Poison, Ecology, Hidden Histories, Zombies, and Black Survival MARIA PINTO Kiese Laymon A Charis Virtual Event Tuesday, November 11th at 7:30 PM EST
Picture of book When Trees Testify with text that reads: "Beronda L. Montgomery draws on the experience of Black Americans, her memories of growing up in Arkansas, and her expertise as a plant scientist to reflect on the deep connections between botany and history.... A fascinating, informative, and deeply moving book." -Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction When Trees Testify Science, Wisdom, History, and America's Black Botanical O Legacy BERONDA L. MONTGOMERY
Picture of book "When Trees Testify" with text that reads: "We have been waiting for this. A botanical memoir, a history, a history with a Black lens-that takes us from roots to branches giving us the keys to an alternative retelling of the American landscape and the ways plants mark who we are and where we've been. This is an electric, bold weaving of ethnobotany, personal memoir, spirit and science and I am here for it." -MICHAEL W. TWITTY, award-winning author of The Cooking Gene When Trees Testify Science, Wisdom, History, and America's Black Botanical O Legacy BERONDA L. MONTGOMERY H
Publishers Weekly Reviews with image of a stack of 19 books with "When Trees Testify" by Beronda L. Montgomery sitting on top