In Pasadena, a Historical Novel Illuminates Local Black Pioneers’ Legacy

Robert Owens transformed El Prieto Canyon into a thriving hub of Black enterprise in 1853, becoming one of Los Angeles County’s wealthiest Black residents through timber supply and real estate investments. Now, historian, educator and Pasadena resident Okeyo A. Jumal brings this pioneering story and others to life in a discussion of his novel “Spiritual Shackles,” set in Pasadena during the mid-20th Century.

The upcoming presentation at La Pintoresca Branch Library, an official City of Pasadena event, weaves together multiple threads of Pasadena’s Black history, from Owens’ entrepreneurial achievements to Ruby McKnight Williams’ groundbreaking civil rights leadership. Williams, who held the position of NAACP president multiple times from 1959 through the 1970s, spearheaded two precedent-setting civil rights cases that reshaped the city’s landscape during her more than 50 years serving the Black community.

The event will feature Jumal’s video presentation on Pasadena’s Black community, including rare interviews with those who knew science fiction author Octavia E. Butler and jazz vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson. The documentary spans generations of athletic achievement, highlighting Pasadena-grown athletes Jackie, Mack and Edward Robinson, as well as Darlene Anderson and Inger Miller.

Williams’ decades of dedication to civil rights continues to influence Pasadena today, honored through the NAACP Pasadena Branch’s Ruby McKnight Williams Award. The Branch, which she led through crucial desegregation efforts and legal challenges, maintains her legacy through annual events celebrating civil rights activists.

The timing of Jumal’s presentation carries particular resonance, coming less than a year after the city commemorated Robert Owens with a historical marker in El Prieto Canyon – named for him, with “El Prieto” meaning “the dark one” in Spanish – during Juneteenth celebrations in 2023. The canyon, historically significant due to Owens’ contributions, remains a well-known recreational area today.

“Robert Owens was a trailblazer who transformed El Prieto Canyon into a thriving community hub,” notes the historical preservation website LoweLifesRCC.org, while the NAACP Pasadena Branch observes that “Ruby McKnight Williams’ leadership set the foundation for civil rights advancements in Pasadena that still resonate today.”

The discussion comes amid ongoing conversations about preserving and educating the public about Black history in Pasadena, where pioneers like Owens have historically been underrepresented in mainstream narratives. The event is part of a broader programming initiative combining arts and culture, author events, and community and civic affairs at the library.

Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 4:30 – 5:30 PM. La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 North Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103. (626) 744-7268. Open to adults of all ages, including emerging adults (18-24).