A Workshop Reflecting on Altadena’s Strength and Octavia Butler’s Vision

REVIEW

Workshop at the California African American Museum (Photo – Alison Griffin)

In collaboration with Alison Griffin and Gabrielle Horton, the California African American Museum hosted Nikki High’s writing workshop on grief and memory. The workshop explored themes from Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower.

By Sydney Kim

The day began with a guided tour of the museum’s Ode to Dena, an exhibit celebrating the cultural impact of the Black community in Altadena. As a tribute to generations of Black artists in Altadena, the watercolors of local legend Keni “Arts” Davis were displayed just feet away from the work of his two-year-old grandson, Micah. The tour concluded with a visit to the exhibition’s bookshelf, curated by High, which featured works by James Baldwin, Michael Harriot, Marcus Kwame Anderson, and others.

Surrounded by Sadie Barnett’s playful photomurals, guests gathered around shared tables, eager to explore the prompt cards laid out before them. Alison Griffin began with a grounding exercise, aptly called “closing tabs,” which set the tone for the workshop, helping participants let go of outside stressors and be fully present in the moment.

When Nikki High was introduced, she familiarized attendees with Octavia Butler’s concept of a “go-bag”—the “just-in-case” bag packed by Olamina, the protagonist of Butler’s 1993 novel Parable of the Sower. While the bookstore owner discussed the practical importance of preparing for natural disasters, she also acknowledged the emotional challenges that often accompany such preparation, particularly following the devastating Eaton Fire earlier this year. High explained that by keeping a “literary go-bag,” participants could preserve memories and create a mini time capsule of their current thoughts and wishes for the future.

The workshop officially began after additional remarks from Griffin and Horton. Guests quickly put pen to paper, their conversations flowing around the tables as personal memories and experiences resurfaced. “Heart lives in community,” High said, prompting a collective nod of agreement. For many, the workshop became a reminder to embrace the uncomfortable vulnerabilities that come with grief and healing. This year, the entire town of Altadena is grieving, yet its residents, both current and former, remain resilient in their efforts to rebuild and preserve the rich, beautiful history of their community. Stories of Altadena’s strength filled the air, creating a palpable sense of connection as participants bonded over their shared love of writing as a form of self-expression.

After participants volunteered to share their work, the organizers reminded everyone to seal their letters-to-self in envelopes to be opened at Octavia’s Bookshelf (1353 N Hill Ave, Pasadena) in the future. High closed the workshop with a short reading from Butler’s highly relevant 2000 essay in Essence magazine, titled “A Few Rules For Predicting The Future.” Reflecting on the essay, High encouraged everyone to live with consideration and respect for their communities. “We are rebuilding every day. In every decision we make today, we are building our world for 30 years from now,” she said.

(Photo – Sydney Kim)