Essie Chambers
It’s 1987 and Diamond Newberry has questions. Why is she the only Black person in Swift River? Why did her father mysteriously vanish seven years ago? Why were there so few guests at her parents’ wedding? And why doesn’t she know any of her father’s people? An unexpected letter from an unknown relative opens up the mysteries of Diamond’s family’s past and two generations of African American women. Essie Chambers’ debut novel is a coming-of-age story and a history of the “sundown towns” in America. This mesmerizing account of inherited trauma is A Read With Jenna Today Show Book Pick. Essie Chambers earned her MFA from Columbia University. A former film and television executive, she was a producer on the documentary Descendant, released by the Obamas’ Higher Ground production company and Netflix. She lives in Brooklyn.
“A sparkling debut about a young girl you’ll never forget...”– Washington Post. “A heartbreaking, yet hopeful coming of age story about the high cost of family secrets.” – Time
At the Festival
Essie Chambers appears in 1 session in the archive.
2025 Festival: Video and Photos
Featuring Marie-Helene Bertino, Yangsze Choo, Xochitl Gonzalez, Rachel Khong, Rita Bullwinkel, Essie Chambers, Eve J. Chung
Books
Copies of every title are available from Vroman's Bookstore at the festival.
Swift River
It’s 1987 and Diamond Newberry has questions. Why is she the only Black person in Swift River? Why did her father mysteriously vanish seven years ago? Why were there so few guests at her parents’ wedding? And why doesn’t she know any of her father’s people? An unexpected letter from an unknown relative opens up the mysteries of Diamond’s family’s past and two generations of African American women. Essie Chambers’ debut novel, Swift River, is a coming-of-age story and a history of the “sundown towns” in America. This mesmerizing account of inherited trauma is A Read With Jenna Today Show Book Pick.