Black History Month: a conversation with Yve Montaz

As Moorepay marks Black History Month 2025, we’re reflecting on this year’s theme, Standing Firm in Power and Pride. At its heart, the theme is about confidence, self-belief and integrity. It’s about knowing who you are, taking pride in where you come from, and carrying that strength with you into everything you do.

Few people embody these values more naturally than Yve Montaz, our Employment Tribunal Advocate here at Moorepay. We sat down with Yve to talk about how power and pride show up in her life, the values that guide her work, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Strength through kindness

“At work, I always try to be the best version of myself. Over the years, I’ve realised that I naturally stand up for the underdog. Sometimes that takes courage.”

“I was brought up by parents who always taught me three things,” she begins. “You are no better and no worse than anyone else. Don’t make excuses. And try to be kind – if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”

Raised in East London by a Cockney mother and a Jamaican father, Yve grew up surrounded by a large extended family. “We had cousins of all shades and backgrounds – blonde, blue-eyed, and everything in between,” she recalls. “That shaped how I see people and taught me that kindness and fairness matter most.”

Those lessons became the foundation of her values. “At work, I always try to be the best version of myself. Over the years, I’ve realised that I naturally stand up for the underdog,” she says. “Sometimes that takes courage.”

One moment that stands out happened years ago in Hackney. “I was in a shop waiting for a cab when a group of young Black lads came in and started threatening the shopkeeper,” she says. “They didn’t expect me to say anything, but I did. I told them to stop, and they left. It reminded me that power isn’t about control or authority – sometimes it’s just about doing what’s right.”

Confidence in difficult spaces

In her work as an Employment Tribunal Advocate, that same sense of strength and empathy guides her every day. Representing employers through complex cases, Yve often supports people during moments of stress and uncertainty.

“Power to me means experience and empathy,” she explains. “Much of my role is helping clients feel confident in situations that can be intimidating. My role is not to tell them what to do, but to show them the options, the pros and cons, and help them make informed choices.”

That measured approach is rooted in composure. “I’ve been through difficult hearings before, and perspective helps,” she says. “I remind myself to keep things in perspective. At the end of the day, no one’s life is on the line, and that helps me stay calm when things get tense.”

Holding people accountable, she adds, is an important part of the job. “In one case, the claimant kept referring to me directly as ‘you’ instead of using my name. Eventually I had to stop him and say, ‘If you’re addressing me, it’s Miss Montaz.’ It might sound small, but it mattered. It was about respect – for me and for the process.”

Empathy as quiet power

“Empathy is powerful – it changes how people feel and how they respond.”

Not all power is visible. For Yve, some of her most meaningful moments have come from simply listening.

“There was a case where two witnesses were struggling with their mental health,” she says. “I could tell they didn’t want to go through with giving evidence, even though they hadn’t said it outright. I listened to what they weren’t saying, and we made a decision that put their wellbeing first.”

That experience stayed with her. “People often think only claimants find tribunal hearings difficult, but it can affect everyone involved,” she reflects. “Empathy is powerful – it changes how people feel and how they respond.”

Pride in identity

Pride, for Yve, begins with self-acceptance. “I always try to show professionalism and kindness,” she says. “If that helps challenge stereotypes or assumptions about Black people, then that’s a good thing.”

Her upbringing was, as she puts it, “more English than West Indian”, but both sides of her heritage have shaped her. “I identify strongly with my Cockney roots and my East London background, but my Jamaican heritage is equally important.”

Recently, that connection has deepened. “Since my dad passed away earlier this year, I’ve been learning more about where he came from,” she shares. “I didn’t really know much about Jamaican culture beyond what I’d seen in the media, which wasn’t always positive. Now, I’m exploring it and it’s been eye-opening – almost spiritual. It feels like discovering a new part of myself.”

Be true to yourself

“Be true to yourself… Don’t try to be like everyone else, because you never will be. Use your background and your experiences as strengths.”

When asked what advice she’d give to others who want to feel empowered in their careers, her answer is simple. “Be true to yourself,” she says. “Don’t try to be like everyone else, because you never will be. Use your background and your experiences as strengths.”

That philosophy has guided her through challenges. “I was the first person in my family to go to university,” she says. “I’ve had a stammer since I was about two or three, but I’ve never let it hold me back. My job involves a lot of speaking, and I’ve learned to embrace that.”

Even this conversation was an act of bravery. “I originally thought I’d just send my answers in writing,” she admits. “But then I decided to be brave and do the interview instead.”

These days, she says she feels more comfortable in her own skin than ever. “I wear my hair how I want, dress how I like, and feel confident doing so. Seeing Black female judges with natural hairstyles has inspired me to embrace my own style and authenticity.”

That same confidence drives her to mentor a junior colleague. “It’s rewarding to help someone else grow, but I’m learning from her too. You have to keep an open mind. Every day is a school day.”

In her words and in her work, Yve reflects what it means to stand firm in power and pride through courage, empathy and authenticity. Her story is a reminder that real power and pride is found not in status or control, but in integrity, self-belief and most importantly, kindness.