Underground Books: Home

Community Event

Author Talk featuring Dorsey Nunn
Underground Books Presents

You’re Invited!

Join us at Underground Books for a special evening with activist and author Dorsey Nunn, as he signs and discusses his powerful memoir,
What Kind of Bird Can’t Fly.

Thursday, August 14, 2025
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Underground Books | 2814 35th Street, Sacramento, CA

Come hear firsthand how Nunn turned his lived experience into a life of advocacy and transformation. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Don’t miss this inspiring event!

Free and open to the public.

Community Event

Author Talk featuring: Sheryl Lister
Underground Books Presents

You’re Invited!

Join us at Underground Books for an inspiring afternoon with award-winning author Sheryl Lister as she returns to Oak Park to celebrate her newest release, A Promise of Forever!

Thursday, August 21, 2025
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Underground Books | 2814 35th Street, Sacramento, CA

Known for her soul-stirring romance novels, Sheryl Lister continues to capture hearts with stories that beautifully explore love, family, and resilience. A Promise of Forever is no exception—a captivating tale of enduring love that readers won’t want to miss.

Community Event

Author Talk & Book Signing featuring: Marisa Atha
Underground Books Presents

You’re Invited!

Join us at Underground Books for a special book signing with author Marisa Atha, celebrating her powerful novel, Written on the Wall.

Sunday, October 19 , 2025
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Underground Books | 2814 35th Street, Sacramento, CA

Free and open to the public.

This moving story follows the lives of four women as they navigate love, family, and the complexities of self-discovery. With heartfelt storytelling and unforgettable characters, Marisa explores the emotional landscapes of resilience and connection.

Community Event

Author Talk & Book Signing featuring: Jayne Kennedy
Underground Books Presents

You’re Invited!

Join us at Underground Books for a powerful evening with legendary actress, Emmy-winning broadcaster, and trailblazing icon Jayne Kennedy as she shares stories from her highly anticipated memoir, Plain Jayne

In this bold and deeply personal book, Jayne reflects on her groundbreaking rise—from small-town Ohio to becoming one of the first Black women to host national sports television. She opens up about her triumphs, struggles, and the legacy she built as a Black woman navigating fame, media, and identity on her own terms.

Article ABC 10February 20, 2025

Walking tour highlights Oak Park’s Black history and revitalization
A walking tour led by Dru Burks highlights Oak Park’s Black history, cultural landmarks and ongoing revitalization efforts.

OAK PARK, Calif. —

Oak Park is one of Sacramento’s most historic neighborhoods, and this Black History Month, a special walking tour is bringing its stories to life.

The tour of the 40 Acres Art and Cultural Complex takes participants through the legacy of Oak Park. Leading the tour is Sacramento comedian Dru Burks, who shares the history behind this cultural hub. The hour-long tour kicks off at the historic Guild Theater. 

Article CBS 13By Tori Apodaca

Sacramento community pillar Mother Rose honored with celebration of life: “Our jobs to continue her legacy”
January 23, 2025

Click here for the full video

SACRAMENTO — Over 1,000 people gathered at St. Paul Church in Sacramento on Thursday for a celebration of life for Georgia Peat West, better known to the community as “Mother Rose.”

Mother Rose died after a battle with cancer last month at age 75. 

“She was generous with her time,” said Cassandra Jennings, the CEO of St. Hope, the nonprofit Mother Rose was involved in. 

Article The Sacramento BeeCathie Anderson

Underground Books owner, mom of Sacramento’s first Black mayor honored at memorial
January 25, 2025

Former Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said his mother Georgia Rose Peat West likely was saying, “Dang K, you trying to send me home on a rocket ship?” as she looked down on the service celebrating her life on Thursday at Saint Paul Baptist Church.

Gospel luminaries Tramaine Hawkins, BeBecq Winans and Erica Campbell (formerly of Mary Mary) each honored West’s life and comforted her sons Johnson and Ronald West with songs such as “Goin’ Up Yonder” and “Stand.”

Article KCRA Ch. 3Mike TeSelle

Oak Park community celebrates life of Georgia West, known as ‘Mother Rose’
January 23, 2025

Click Here for the Full Video

The mother of former Mayor Kevin Johnson owned Underground Books and was known for her graciousness and openness.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Georgia West, known as “Mother Rose,” is being remembered for her impact on the Oak Park community.

Scores of people gathered in Sacramento Thursday to celebrate the life of West, who died from cancer at 75.

Article The Sacramento Observerby Genoa Barrow

Georgia ‘Mother Rose’ West Given Her Flowers
January 25, 2025

There were tears, but it was the sharing of heartfelt memories, laughter and rousing renditions of old sweet gospel songs that will keep local bookstore owner Georgia West on attendees’ minds.

More than a thousand people gathered at St. Paul Missionary Baptist church Thursday to pay respect to West, a faithful member, who was known affectionately in the community as Mother Rose. West, 75, died on December 23 after a courageous, mostly silent, 10-year battle with cancer. 

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Hundreds attend the Oak Park Black Film Festival

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Oak Park Black Film Festival this year! The six-day event showcased an outstanding lineup of independent feature, documentary, and short films by African-American filmmakers and was a huge success.

We were delighted to have different moderators each day who facilitated fascinating discussions with the filmmakers. You can read more about the Film Festival in the Sacramento Observer: Oak Park Festival Provides Black Filmmakers A Too Rare Showcase.

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Join Us for Engaging Authors Talks at Underground Books

Author Talk with Kerri Harper-Howie
Thursday, November 21, 2024 – 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Kerri is an entrepreneur, lawyer, author, public speaker and author of The Family Secret: The Business and Franchise Owner’s Guide to Building Generational Wealth. She combines her legal expertise with practical business acumen, offering a unique perspective on workplace issues, business operations, succession planning and fostering family-like workplaces. 

Article The Sacramento Bee - 6.18.2024BY ACSAH LEMMA

Sacramento’s Juneteenth events feature The 1619 Project creator at Oak Park’s Guild Theater

With Juneteenth this week Sacramento has parties, marches and more in celebration.

This Wednesday, the California Black Agricultural Working Group will host a celebration at the Capitol State Park as well as a resource fair. People are invited to “experience our unique California Journey from Slavery to Freedom here in the Great State of California,” according to the organization’s flyer.