We’re still asking for the bare minimum for them to be seen as human beings and not things that go bump in the night. We’re in a time where Black men still aren’t humanized by society.

Also, he’s proof that a guy like Maverick does exist when people want to pretend he’s a unicorn. My father wasn’t in my life, but there were other men who stepped up to the plate and filled the hole along the way. With Maverick, the connection comes from the fact that he represents the men in my life. I’ve felt that connected to both Starr and Free. Why do you think that is? Have you ever felt this connected to a character before? In the introduction to Concrete Rose, you mentioned feeling deeply connected to Maverick. Although I didn’t plan on doing this prequel, in the end it felt right. The conversations I had with him on set about the character made me think even deeper about Maverick. I also have to give credit to the film adaptation and Russell Hornsby’s portrayal of Maverick Carter. They asked, how did he become that way? Then I started to ask myself those same questions. They say it’s fascinating to see a character where we know about all these things he’s done in the past, but he’s such a great man and great father and a pillar of the community. I have kids come up to me at signings telling me they love Starr’s dad and then the moms come up behind them saying they want to marry him. He’s the character my readers have seemed to ask about the most. I feel like a bad parent in saying that, but he’s definitely been my favorite. Maverick has been one of my favorite characters from jump. What compelled you to revisit the universe of The Hate U Give to tell Maverick Carter’s origin story?

Maverick carter concrete rose