The Parables Convening: An Octavia E. Butler Celebration
June 22, 2024
10 a.m. to noon
Central Library
In anticipation of the summer of 2024, marked as the setting of Octavia E. Butler's Parable of the Sower, we eagerly anticipate this Convening, aiming to honor Butler's legacy on her birthday at the Central Library, a place she cherished. The celebration will include a scholarly panel discussion, a book dialogue, tabletop roleplaying campaign, and silkscreening with Color Compton. Patrons who RSVP for any of the event’s programs will be eligible for a book giveaway graciously sponsored by Seven Stories Press.
Event Schedule
Harvesting Hope: A Panel Discussion
Time: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Location: Taper Auditorium
A panel of scholars of Octavia E. Butler will discuss the meaning of her work in 2024 centered around the question, "What seeds should we sow?" including:
- Lynell George, author of A Handful of Earth, A Handful of Sky: The World of Octavia E. Butler
- Schessa Garbutt, founder/director of Firebrand, a branding and design agency for changemakers
- Nikki High, owner of local Octavia's Bookshelf
- Moderated by: Rabiya Kassam-Clay, Los Angeles educator
Please email rsvpoctavialab@lapl.org
Seeding Ideas: A Book Club Discussion
Time: 10 a.m. - noon
Location: Meeting Room A
At the Convening, readers will join together for a book club session to discuss Parable of the Sower, moderated by educators.
Please email rsvpoctavialab@lapl.org
Journey to Earthseed: A Tabletop Roleplay Campaign in Octavia E. Butler's Parable Universe
Time: 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Meeting Room B
Young Angeleno game masters will lead an interactive role-playing adventure game around the quote “The destiny of Earthseed is to take root among the stars,” from the Parable of the Sower series with the intent “to co-create our own understanding of the hope, creativity, and resilience that shaped Octavia's first book.” This role-playing game will also tie Butler’s work to the climate change we face today.
Please email rsvpoctavialab@lapl.org
Voices Amplified: Silkscreening
Time: 10 a.m. - noon
Location: Octavia Lab
Los Angeles community organization, Color Compton, will lead a makerspace activity to silkscreen social justice themes and Parable of the Sower quotes on to posters.
Please email rsvpoctavialab@lapl.org
Community Partners
Seven Stories Press
Huntington Library
Clockshop: Parable of the Sower erasure poetry as included in Radio Imagination
