NOMMO Joins LAPL’s “Visions of the Present” Panel for #ParablesConvening

On June 7, NOMMO Cultural Strategies was honored to participate in Visions of the Present: A Panel Discussion at the Los Angeles Public Library’s Central Branch — part of the ongoing #ParablesConvening series inspired by the prophetic work of Octavia E. Butler.

NOMMO’s founder, Tyree Boyd-Pates, joined fellow visionaries Schessa Garbutt (@firebrand.house) and Ashley Blakeney (@crenshawdairymart) for a powerful conversation on the enduring relevance of Butler’s Parable of the Talents. Together, they explored the intersections of imagined futures and our present-day realities in Los Angeles, reflecting on how Butler’s vision continues to illuminate the path toward equity, resilience, and community transformation.

Throughout the discussion, the panelists wove together threads of Black history, speculative fiction, and creative resistance, challenging attendees to consider what it means to shape a future grounded in justice and care. Their insights spoke directly to the moment we’re in, offering both a critique of the present and a roadmap for what’s possible.

The room was filled with energy, reflection, and a deep sense of purpose. Attendees left not only inspired by the panelists’ brilliance but also reminded of the power of storytelling to galvanize social change.

Free and open to the public, the event embodied the very ethos of Butler’s legacy: that transformative ideas should be accessible to all, and that art and literature are vital tools for imagining—and creating—a better world.

We’re grateful to the organizers of #ParablesConvening for curating such a resonant gathering. The flame sparked that day will continue to guide NOMMO’s work and the communities we serve.

Listen to the entire conversation below.