St. Hope Band 1
Author Talk with Harold “Noonie G” Ward
Underground Books
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Author Talk Featuring Harold “Noonie G” Ward
Join us in person for Harold “Noonie G” Ward’s story is more than a memoi, it’s a reckoning. Altgeld Gardens pulls back the curtain on a Chicago community too often spoken about but rarely spoken for. Through Noonie G’s voice, the realities of survival, loyalty, violence, and redemption are laid bare with honesty and purpose.
Author Talk featuring Eghosa O. Hamilton & Gertrude Jenkins
Underground Books
Join Us for an Author Talk!
Underground Books invites you to an evening of sharp insight, cultural truth‑telling, and transformative scholarship as Eghosa Obaizamomwan Hamilton sits in conversation with Gertrude Jenkins to discuss his groundbreaking new book, Articulations: A Radical Methodology for Black Pedagogy—Redefining Education through Black Women’s Hair Experiences.
Author Talk with Walter Mosley
Underground Books
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NAB2 & Underground Books Present: An Evening with Walter Mosley
Join us for a special live author talk with acclaimed writer Walter Mosley on Thursday, May 28 at The Guild Theater in Sacramento. This unique hybrid event will also be streamed to 30 Black-owned bookstores nationwide and available for virtual viewers at home.
Dusty Baker Author Talk
Underground Books
Overview
Join us for a fun in-person chat with Dusty Baker as he shares stories and insights from his baseball journey!
Dusty Baker Author Talk
Walter Mosley Returns to Underground Books
Author Talk Featuring Featuring Walter Mosley
Thursday, May 28 | 5:30 – 7:30 PM | Guild Theater
Join us for a special live author talk with acclaimed writer Walter Mosley returns to Underground Books with the release of his new novel “Ghalen: A Romance in Black”.
This unique hybrid event will be in-person at the Guild Theater and also be streamed to 30 Black-owned bookstores nationwide and available for virtual viewers at home.
2026 Juneteenth at 40 Acres
St. HOPE Academy
Celebrate the history and legacy of Juneteenth with us at the 2026 Juneteenth Block Party at 40 Acres.
Experience a day filled with music, culture, and community in the heart of Oak Park. Enjoy live DJs, local food trucks, a wine and beer garden, and a marketplace featuring Black-owned businesses. Families can also enjoy games and activities at Esther’s Park hosted by St. HOPE Public Schools.
This free, in-person event is all about connection, celebration, and community.
Author Talk Featurnig Teddy Riley
Underground Books
Join us for an in-person chat with the amazing Teddy Riley! Get the scoop on his latest work, hear some cool stories, and maybe ask a question or two. It’s a chill chance to hang out and dive into the world of writing with a pro. Don’t miss out on this awesome event!
Grammy Award–winning R&B and hip-hop legend Teddy Riley recounts his journey from growing up in the projects in Harlem to inventing the genre New Jack Swing, selling out shows at Madison Square Garden, and creating music for Michael Jackson, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell, and more.
Sisters of Nia: Black History Month Talent Show
Guild Theater
Enjoy an evening of youth creativity and entertainment as talented performers ages 11–15 take the stage for the Sisters of Nia Youth Talent Show. The event features music, dance, spoken word, and more, celebrating confidence, artistry, and community.
Snacks, drinks, and Sisters of Nia swag will be available for purchase, with all proceeds supporting programs that empower youth through leadership, culture, and self-expression.
Women’s Seminar: Your Financial Journey
Guild Theater
Women’s Seminar: Your Financial Journey is an empowering evening focused on financial equity, confidence, and women supporting women, presented as part of the 40 Acres Black History Month programming and hosted by Malonn Barnes.
The event features a Financial Equity Workshop followed by Her Power, Her Path, a panel discussion with community leaders Deneva Shelton and Azizza Davis Goines, highlighting leadership, wealth-building, and community impact.
February 24 · 5:00 PM PST
Walking Tour of Oak Park’s 40 Acres
Guild Theater
As part of Black History Month at 40 Acres, experience a guided walking tour through Oak Park’s cultural cornerstone, led by Sacramento comedian Dru Burks.
Beginning at the historic Guild Theater, this one-hour tour explores the people, places, and movements that shaped Oak Park into the vibrant cultural hub it is today. Guests will walk through the 40 Acres Art and Cultural Complex, highlighting landmarks such as Underground Books, Old Soul Co., Fixins Soul Kitchen, and more, while learning about Oak Park’s history, resilience, and ongoing revitalization.
Crafted by Culture: Bourbon Tasting
Fixin's Soul Kitchen
Celebrate Black History Month with an intimate bourbon tasting featuring John Lee Hooker Legacy Spirits at Fixins Soul Kitchen. This special evening highlights a Black family-owned brand founded by John Lee Hooker’s daughter and grandson, honoring the legendary blues icon through craftsmanship, culture, and storytelling.
Coffee & A Gift Mondays
Underground Books
Coffee & A Gift Mondays is a special Black History Month promotion celebrating Black culture, community, and small businesses at the 40 Acres Art and Cultural Complex.
Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom – Film Screening & Discussion
Guild Theater
Celebrate Juneteenth with us at 40 Acres at Juneteenth Faith and Freedom, a film screening and discussion honoring Black history, culture, and freedom. This award winning documentary by filmmaker Ya’Ke Smith explores the legacy of Juneteenth through faith, resilience, and lived history, followed by a live conversation after the film. Free and open to the community.
The Homeownership Mindset: Buyers & Sellers
Guild Theater
The Homeownership Mindset: Buyers & Sellers is a free community event presented as part of the 40 Acres Black History Month programming, taking place on February 10 from 6:00–8:00 PM at the historic Guild Theater.
Let’s Read Oak Park Featuring Author Nikki Shannon-Smith
Underground Books
Family Movie Matinee: The Wiz
Sunday, February 1 at 2:00 PM
The Guild Theater
Join us for a free family-friendly movie matinee at the historic Guild Theater featuring the beloved musical classic The Wiz.
Black Cinema Film Series: Love and Basketball
Guild Theater
Love, basketball, and ambition collide in this iconic story of growth, dreams, and connection.
The Guild Theater presents Love & Basketball as part of the Black Cinema Film Series during Black History Month at the historic 40 Acres Complex.
This beloved film explores love, ambition, and identity through the intertwined lives of two childhood friends whose relationship unfolds on and off the basketball court. With heart, honesty, and cultural impact, Love & Basketball remains a defining story of Black love, perseverance, and self-discovery.
Crafted by Culture: A Black-Owned Gin Tasting & Mixology Event
Fixin's Soul Kitchen
Celebrate Black History Month with Flavor & Craft at 40 Acres
Fixins Soul Kitchen and Common Ground Spirits present Crafted by Culture, a special Black History Month experience as part of the 40 Acres Black History Month programming. This immersive evening honors Black excellence through spirits, storytelling, and mixology.
Learn the history and vision behind Common Ground Spirits, a Black-owned gin company
Enjoy a guided tasting of three distinct gin expressions
Create and savor signature cocktails featuring Common Ground Spirits
Black Cinema Film Series: One Night in Miami
Guild Theater
As part of Black History Month at the 40 Acres Complex, the Guild Theater presents a screening of One Night in Miami… as part of the Black Cinema Film Series.
Set during a pivotal evening in 1964, the film imagines an intimate conversation between Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown as they reflect on fame, faith, responsibility, and the role of Black leadership during a critical moment in American history. Through powerful dialogue and thoughtful storytelling, the film explores the intersections of culture, activism, and identity.