St. Hope Band 3
Sacramento’s Guild Theater Has Showcased Black Culture For 110 Years
August 14, 2025
Through renovations, restorations, and origins dating more than a century, the Guild Theater has been a pillar of Oak Park, creating connections and memories across greater Sacramento.
Built in 1915, the theater was originally one of several movie houses that served Oak Park. After it sat vacant for many years, St. HOPE acquired the building in 2003 and brought new life and purpose to the space.
Providing Education, Growth, Sustainability and Stability
President's Message - 07.31.25
Dear Community Members and Supporters,
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: Janna Thach, Class of 2008
Janna Thach’s time at Sac High marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to leadership, service, and community empowerment. These values continue to define her career and personal mission today.
Coming Soon: Oak Park Black Film Festival
October 7-12, 2025
Join us from October 7 to October 12 for an unforgettable celebration of African-American stories and history through the power of cinema. The 4th annual Oak Park Black Film Festival shines a spotlight on the voices of African-American filmmakers, featuring an inspiring lineup of independent feature films, thought-provoking documentaries, and captivating short films. Connect with filmmakers and engage in enriching discussions that honor the richness and diversity of African-American culture. Don’t miss this extraordinary event at the heart of Oak Park!
Sacramento BlkLit Book Fest
Save the Date
Save the date for a full day celebrating Black literature, creativity, and community.
Saturday, September 13
10am-11am – Author Discussion (Underground Books)
Authors will discuss their new releases and be available for book
signings
11am-12pm – Writing While Black: Publishing, Platforms & Power
(Guild Theater)
A panel discussion with book industry professionals on the topic
of writing and publishing a book.
Upcoming Events at Underground Books
Register now for two inspiring evenings of conversation, storytelling, and connection at Underground Books
Being the Rays Under the Sun with My Tube Tiaterrice
Join us for an uplifting evening with author My Tube Tiaterrice as she presents her inspiring new release, Being the Rays Under the Sun. Through heartfelt reflections and powerful storytelling, Tiaterrice explores themes of resilience, self-love, and healing. Meet the author, hear about her journey, and get your book personally signed.
Thursday, July 31 from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Register now
Thank You for Celebrating Juneteenth with Us!
We’re filled with gratitude to everyone who joined us for our Juneteenth celebration—it was a powerful day of community, culture, and joy as we celebrated Black history and excellence in Oak Park. The whole community enjoyed the family-friendly event that featured a kids zone, live music, black-owned vendors, cultural activities and of course amazing food! Click here to see photos and a highlights video. This event would not have been possible without the generous support of sponsors:
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: Eliana Argueta, Class of 2005
Eliana Argueta attended Sac High from 2001 to 2005, witnessing a major transformation during her time there. By her junior year, the school had transitioned from a traditional public high school into a public charter under the St. HOPE Public Schools umbrella. The school’s new focus on providing specialized programs meant that some of her friends moved to different buildings on campus, but it also gave students a unique opportunity to explore their specific interests.
Author Talk at Underground Books Features Verde Arzu
Join us on Sunday, June 29 from 1:00 – 3:30pm at Underground Books for a powerful afternoon with writer, poet, and educator Verde Arzu as she shares from her latest book, Promise Keeper. The book is a coming-of-age story about identity, conviction, and the promises we make to ourselves. Verde centers Black queer women in her work and publishes through her own imprint, RAINBOW EDITIONS LLC. We’re excited to feature Verde Arzu during Pride month – come meet the author, hear her story, and get your book signed!
Join Us for the 5th Annual Juneteenth Block Party on Saturday, June 14
You won’t want to miss St. HOPE’s annual Juneteenth Block Party on Saturday, June 14 from 4-9pm that will take place in and around the 40 Acres Complex in Oak Park (35th Street and Broadway). Check out the video from last year!
Scholars Rising: A Celebration of Purpose and Progress
President's Message - 06.11.25
Yesterday was a fabulous celebration of our Sac High seniors as they received their diplomas and walked across the stage at Memorial Auditorium. Our scholars have worked so hard over the past four years and we are proud of all that they have accomplished as students, athletes, and as community members. At the graduation ceremony, we heard inspiring messages from Valedictorian Edie Park and Salutatorian Mariah Bowman about the importance of perseverance and resilience and how their focus on purpose and passion helped them get to where they are today.
In Loving Memory of Lisa Marie Ruda
Her Vision, Her Leadership, and a Scholarship That Will Carry It Forward
With profound sadness we announce the passing of Lisa Marie Ruda who served as Superintendent of St. HOPE Public Schools since summer 2022. Despite battling health challenges, Lisa was a warrior throughout the entire process. She loved St. HOPE Public Schools – she cared immensely about our scholars, families, and staff. She led Sac High and PS7 with integrity, compassion, and a deep sense of purpose.
Personal finance becomes the newest ‘adulting’ lesson for high schoolers
May 11, 2025
Teenagers aren’t known for taking the long view with money. But a growing number of high school students are taking classes to learn how to handle their financial future: what a budget is, why saving is important and how to invest.
In March, Kentucky became the latest state to codify financial literacy as a stand-alone class needed for high-schoolers to graduate. That brings the total to 36 states with some form of financial literacy requirement for high school graduation, according to the Council of Economic Education — up from 21 states in 2020.
Inspire U Academy Brings Summer Learning to Life for St. HOPE Scholars
This summer St. HOPE will again be hosting FREE 2-week camps for PS7 Middle School scholars to enjoy swim lessons, dancing, painting, cooking, music, STEAM activities, and more. We will also have credit recovery and academic programs for our scholars who need additional support before the next school year.
Meet Dru Burks: The Guild Theater’s Resident Comedian
Long before he took center stage at the Guild Theater, Dru Burks was one of St. HOPE’s first students. Enrolled in the organization’s original summer program back in 1989, Dru’s connection to St. HOPE runs deep—so much so that he often says it’s “in his blood.” Today, he’s helping shape that same community, now as the Guild Theater Manager, a role he officially stepped into in 2018.
Join Us for the 5th Annual Juneteenth Block Party on Saturday, June 14
You won’t want to miss St. HOPE’s annual Juneteenth Block Party on Saturday, June 14 from 4-9pm that will take place in and around the 40 Acres Complex in Oak Park (35th Street and Broadway). The free event will have activities for everyone including a kids zone, live music, black-owned vendors, cultural activities and of course amazing food! We have a great event lineup including:
The Legacy of Literacy: Celebrating Mother Rose
President's Message - 04.29.25
This month, we celebrate the birthday of Mother Rose (April 7), a beloved figure whose vision and resilience helped shape Underground Books into the cultural cornerstone it is today. Mother Rose believed in the power of literacy to transform lives. Her mission was never just about selling books, but about creating access—especially for those whose stories have often been overlooked. She filled the shelves of Underground Books with works by Black authors, historical voices, and emerging thinkers, cultivating a space where conversation and connection could thrive.
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: Shon Tyler, DDS, Class of 2008
Pipeline April 2025
Shon Tyler, DDS attended Sac High from 2004 to 2008, a pivotal time in the school’s history. His freshman year corresponded with St. HOPE’s transformation of Sac High into a charter school along with the opening of PS7, which now serves TK-8th grade scholars. The changes brought by St. HOPE were immediately noticeable, and Shon recalls how much the faculty cared about the students and their success. The new vision and initiatives resonated with both students and staff, creating a sense of purpose on campus.
Sac High Scholars Visit Colleges During Spring Break
St. HOPE Academy recently hosted two trips for Sac High seniors to tour colleges to help them make decisions about their higher education options. One trip was to the Bay Area where scholars toured CSU East Bay, CSU Monterey Bay, San Francisco State, and San Jose State. On the Southern California trip, scholars visited UCLA, CSU Bakersfield, CSU Los Angeles, CSU Fullerton, Fresno State, and Long Beach State. A couple of the tours were even hosted by Sac High Alumni who are currently attending these schools.
Black History Month Events Recap: Reflecting on Heritage and Culture
February was an incredible month as we hosted a month-long celebration of the achievements, culture, and contributions of African Americans throughout history. From powerful speakers to engaging events for families, we recognized the achievements and resilience of Black leaders past and present.
St. HOPE Public Schools hosted events nearly every day during February to raise awareness about the importance of inclusion and equity in our multicultural society.