Pasadena steps up to support Octavias Bookshelf NBC Los Angeles [Video]

When Nikki High opened Octavia’s Bookshelf in Pasadena in February of last year, she was looking to create a community space for Black, Indigenous and POC readers and writers.

Named after the famed science fiction writer Octavia Butler, who was born and raised in Pasadena, the bookstore quickly grew into a community space, particularly the local Black community. 

High not only used the store as a space to explore books, but also as a place to host teach-ins, group discussions and children’s readings. But navigating the indie bookstore business is not an easy task. 

According to High, even in the best of times, profit margins are razor thin, especially with books becoming a luxury good as prices continue to rise. High said that she had applied for and been denied multiple loans before finally turning to the community for support.