Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Nakia Montgomery of Long Beach

We recently had the chance to connect with Nakia Montgomery and have shared our conversation below.

Nakia, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
For the past three years, I have been living a nomadic life — one filled with unexpected lessons, deep reflection, and unwavering resilience. While it can feel daunting to become a living symbol of inspiration, I’ve always sensed that my story was meant to serve a purpose beyond myself.

I’m now shaping those experiences into the first of many Self-Thriving chapter books, I Have Something To Say — an honest account of what it means to publicly manifest a life of faith over fear, especially when the odds don’t appear to be in your favor. It is a journey of transformation through hardship: navigating divorce, surviving love-bombing, the sting of financial loss, several bank accounts closing, losing housing, friends, and even family members. There were nights spent sleeping in my car and months of residing in a California women’s shelter. And yet, through it all, I am learning what it truly means to trust myself and align with my purpose.

I’m learning what it means to refuse to give up or give in — to leap heart-first without hesitation, relying on my natural gifts, talents, wits, and resourcefulness. My goals aren’t just actions; they are stepping stones, each one pushing me closer to the dreams that call me forward, no matter how uncertain the path may be.

Choosing to share my story has stretched me in ways I never imagined. It has taught me that vulnerability does not weaken my voice — it strengthens it. Even when doubt whispers, as it inevitably does, I no longer question the process. I trust the progress.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an artistic soul who turned my childhood dream into a living legacy. Born in Dallas, Texas, I was raised as the third oldest of eleven siblings where I grew up in church and school, surrounded by music, books, movies, and competitive sports enveloped in faith! The sounds of family laughter, loud talking, and horseplay filled every room with fun sparking my childlike imagination and creative storytelling.

Today, I am the proud mother of two “dope expressions” my daughter Briantria and my son BriDarin- to add to my generational bloodline, I am also a “Gia” to four incredible blessings—affectionately known as (Tooda), (Bruvvie), (Pud), and (Big Shot)—who continue to inspire much of my creative work. My most celebrated project, The Levi & Toonk board book series, is born from my desire to see children like my muse reflected in literature. With humor, heart, and cultural pride, I bring Levi and his alter ego Toonk to life to remind children everywhere that learning is joyful when they can see themselves in the story.

Over the past three years, I have chronicled my nomadic journey, using each experience as a mirror of my growth—physically, professionally, and spiritually. Every transition deepened my faith and expanded my view of humanity. Drawing from those lessons, I am developing Sage Rebirth, a mentorship and resource program that encourages young women to believe in their worth and purpose. Through my books, storytelling events, and community engagement, I continue to uplift children, families, and aspiring creators across schools, forums, and youth organizations.

Now rooted in California, I pour my gifts into the greater Los Angeles community through service, mentorship, and leadership. Recognized for my accomplishments, I have received multiple honors, including The Boss Network Grant in partnership with Hello Alice, The Office of the Mayor Certificate of Recognition, and the Neighborhood Leadership Award. With every project I touch, it reaffirms my commitment to creating spaces where imagination flourishes and gifted children feel seen, valued, and limitless.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I remember growing up usually being the shortest kid out of all my school friends. It never really seemed to matter much to me, but one girl in my neighborhood used my size to her advantage.

She wasn’t exactly mean, but she always seemed to have an axe to grind and a point to prove. On a dare, she became my nightmare. For weeks, she bullied me and ridiculed everything I did — pulling my hair, kicking my legs, and tugging at my clothes — until one day, I’d had enough.

There we were in the lunch line, waiting for our homeroom teacher to return, when I finally turned, hit her, and stared her down. It wasn’t planned, it just happened — but in that moment, something in me shifted. I felt confident. I felt sure of myself. I wasn’t backing down, and that was made clear.

Now, when I look back, I don’t see that moment as anger — I see it as awakening. It was the first time I recognized my own strength, the moment I understood that I didn’t have to shrink to keep the peace. Standing up for myself that day made me realize I was capable of protecting my own space — and that kind of power has stayed with me ever since.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
As an older woman, I am able to reflect back on my childhood and remember a time I didn’t consider myself as pretty. Although I would have never called myself ugly… I had pre-teen acne, dark skin, and my hair was course and kinky.

To understand who I am today, you’d know there isn’t a camera I hide from. However, the person you see before you today hasn’t been this individual. So, without a doubt I would tell my younger self, “Don’t worry dear heart!” “You are a beautifully sketched dark skin girl whose smile is going to light up any room you enter.” “BET!”

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
…OF COURSE! And then some! Who I am is who you will get 95% of the time. The other 5% is ever changing, learning and growing throughout my own life, therefore I’m getting to know her as the days, months, and years go by.

What I love about being me the most is how everyone I meet seems to share similar stories of who I am. A testament to my #Consistency

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Absolutely. For over 20 years, my former self poured time and energy into the corporate balloon — working hard to elevate someone else’s mission and bring their dreams to life. With every job I took, it became clearer that I wasn’t meant to simply help build other people’s visions. I was meant to fully step into my own.
Deep down, I always knew my life’s work would come from embracing the freedom of my voice — from creating, writing, and connecting in a way that felt authentic to who I am. I didn’t always know what the journey would look like or how it would unfold, but I did know one thing for certain: it was time to stop playing myself small and stop selling out on the dreams that had been calling me all along.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kiamauthor.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realkiamauthor/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nakia-montgomery-18b37828/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealkiamauthor/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kiamauthor

Image Credits
Kia M.