Pasadena, California, is a small but diverse city about 11 miles from downtown Los Angeles. After World War II, increasing numbers of Black people moved north into California from southern states like Texas and Louisiana. This drastically increased the Black population and made Pasadena a haven for migrating families. The city’s diversity continued to grow, with one of the most notable surges occurring in the 1980s when the population increased by 11%; this included a 27% rise in Pasadena’s Hispanic population. Pasadena kept up with its citizens' needs as the cultural landscape changed. Officials changed the city’s election process to reflect the population changes and improve representation for all the city’s cultural groups.

One of Pasadena’s defining landmarks is the Rose Bowl Stadium, a National Historic Landmark where college athletes play the annual Rose Bowl football game. The stadium is the 16th largest in the world; walking around it covers 3.3 miles. This historic site serves as a setting for Korynthia and Loretha, who often walk around the building to support their cardiovascular health.