St. HOPE: Home
Ruthie Bolton “From Pain to Power”
Discussion and Book Signing
Underground Books
2814 35th Street
(916) 737-3333
Brandon Hughes: The Absent Father, The Wayward Son
Guild Theater (2828 35th Street)
A one-man play
Written, produced and performed by Brandon Hughes
For Tickets and to Watch Trailer visit
Tickets also available at Underground Books (2814 35th Street)
Children’s Storytime
Books, games and activities for kids ages 3-10.
Sponsored by River City Road Runners
Underground Books (2814 35th Street)
12pm-1pm
(916) 737-3333
Pamela Samuels Young “Abuse of Discretion”
Discussion and Book Signing
Kid’s Curiosity … A Parent’s Nightmare
The award-winning author of “Anybody’s Daughter” is back with an addictive courtroom drama that gives readers a shocking look inside the juvenile criminal justice system.
Sheryl Lister “A Touch of Love” Book Signing & Discussion
Lexia Daniels can’t deny that her café’s most loyal customer is as tempting as any of the delicious treats she bakes. Burned by a bitter divorce, she tries to keep her desire in check around Khalil Gray, but the gorgeous ex-model is intent on seduction. Then a devastating accident reveals the complicated man behind the perfectly sculpted body… A man she can’t seem to resist.
Art Talk: Clay West “Shades of Blackness”
With Clay West and Moderated by Milton 510 Bowens
Underground Books (2814 35th Street)
From a beginning as a source of relaxation while attending Dental School to a way of connecting with his people, “Shades of Blackness” by Clay Wilson is only a small portion of the works created by this local artist and dentist. Come and see this vibrant and thoughtful exhibit!
Children’s Storytime
Books, games and activities for kids ages 3-10.
Sponsored by River City Road Runners
Underground Books (2814 35th Street)
12pm-1pm
(916) 737-3333
Janay Brown Wood “Grandma’s Tiny House”
Discussion and Book Signing
Underground Books (2814 35th Street)
(916) 737-3333
Pepper Von “From God Through Me to You”
Discussion and Book Signing
Underground Book (2814 35th Street)
Indigo Moor “In the Room of Thirsts & Hungers”
Discussion and Book Signing
Underground Books (2815 35th Street)
In the Room of Thirsts & Hungers Publication Date: July 2017
Current Poet Laureate of Sacramento, Indigo Moor is also a playwright and author. His second book of poetry, Through the Stonecutter’s Window, won Northwestern University Press’s Cave Canem prize. His first book, Tap-Root, was published as part of Main Street Rag’s Editor’s Select Poetry Series.
St. HOPE Academy Founded by Kevin Johnson
July 1989
St. HOPE began in 1989 as an afterschool program in a portable classroom at Sacramento High School
After 13 years, St. HOPE realized that an after school program simply wasn’t enough to dramatically improve the academic outcomes of children, that it would be necessary to establish and run our own schools.
In 2003, St. HOPE Public Schools was founded as a preK-12 independent charter school district that provides high-quality education to nearly 2,000 students.
St. HOPE Facility Grand Opening
January 1992
7,000 square foot facility opening at 4101 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
40 acres Art & Cultural Center Grand Opening
May 2003
St. HOPE’s largest economic development project opened with Underground Books, Uncle Jed’s Cut Hut, Starbucks and the Guild Theater.
40 Acres is the jewel of the SHDC efforts in the Oak Park community. The building was the historic Woodruff Hotel which was build in 1922 and was renovated by St. HOPE Development company in 2003.
The 23,000 sq. ft. mixed use facility includes:
- Guild Theater
- Underground Books
- Old Soul Coffee House
- Coopers Wine Bar
- Upper Room Apartments
Sacramento Black Book Fair
Blue Nile Press
Fifth Annual Sacramento Black Book Fair (SBBF)
CREATING A LEGACY
Fourth-Annual Community Read-In Project
Join us and participate in the 2017-18 Community Read-In Project by the SBBF
Join us at the Guild for an excellent play, “The Absent Father, the Wayward Son”
The Guild Theater has the pleasure of bringing back Brandon Hughes and his one man play, “The Absent Father, the Wayward Son” on Saturday, October 21, 2017. Hughes plays multiple characters throughout the production by portraying the son of his absent father. During the show, the audience watches as David (The Wayward Son) learns his absent father, who he has never met, spent many nights at his home for years entirely unbeknownst to David.
PS7 Surprise Project
While students and teachers were on Fall Break, several staff members from PS7 Elementary and the St. HOPE Public Schools Home Office participated in a two-day campus improvement service project as a surprise for returning students. The 5,360 square foot space, which was overgrown with dead grass and weeds for years, was transformed into a beautiful outdoor quad that will be used as an outdoor classroom and lunch area for students.
2017 CAASPP Data Release
The eagerly anticipated SHPS state test results were officially released September 27th. While student performance for most of the State of California flat-lined this year, the overall percentage of SHPS scholars meeting or exceeding the standard went up six percentage points in English Language Arts and two percentage points in Math.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fair
Sac High hosted the annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fair on September 15th and, once again, HBCU representatives stated Sac High students were the highlight of their multi-city tour. More than 40 HBCUs were represented at the fair, and most of them offered on the spot admissions decisions and scholarships to qualified seniors. The fair was a lively and positive event for our community, and our entire senior and junior classes were able to meet with admissions representatives, learn about exciting opportunities at HBCU campuses, and submit applications
Sac High football team takes knee for anthem. How does its Vietnam veteran scorekeeper feel?
He is a beloved member of the athletic family, a fixture as the scoreboard operator, known for his gray goatee and his kindly old soul.
His name is Jack Stephens, but everyone at Sacramento High School calls him, “Pop.”
Pop stood for the national anthem on Saturday before the Metropolitan Conference game against Florin, but the players he embraces as his own took a collective knee.
Welcome Back! A message from CEO, Jake Mossawir
The 2017-18 school year started off with a bang on August 9th. In the last few weeks we have discovered new areas for growth and have much to celebrate. Without a doubt, this is bound to be a very exciting school year.
Dragons Prepare for a Winning Fall Season
Sac High is a college prep charter school that prides itself on opening doors for our students to higher education and providing a path to a four-year college degree. In addition to offering a competitive academic program, Sac High also knows extracurricular activities can provide opportunities for students to learn crucial skills needed for success in college and in life. As such, Sac High runs a comprehensive athletics program and offers several sports for students to participate in each season (Fall, Winter and Spring).
Local Business Owner Donates 130 Backpacks to St. HOPE Scholars
St. HOPE received a generous donation from Sacramento native, business owner, and St. HOPE supporter, Derek Bluford. Bluford wanted to make sure kids who couldn’t afford back to school items got what they needed. Inside of the 130 backpacks were essential school supplies for St. HOPE scholars to help start the school year off on the right foot. “My mom was a single mom. Growing up, I hated going back to school because she [my mom] couldn’t afford to buy new things. I know what it’s like,” said Bluford.
Art Talk with Walter Anderson
On Saturday, August 19th, Underground Books held a powerful art exhibition featuring ex-felon Walter “Squeaky” Anderson. Mr. Anderson, who spent 35 years in the California prison system, is an Oak Park native who held his first art exhibition at the bookstore upon his release. “I come from a family where the girls were going to be treated special and strict. But us boys, it was like, ‘You’re on your own’ and I went on,” said Anderson, giving the large crowd that had gathered a glimpse into his childhood.
Student Spotlight: Rayonna Thompson, ASB President
Meet “Ray” this year’s Sac High ASB President and Student Representative to the SHPS Board of Directors.
How long have you been at St. HOPE?
This is my fourth year. My sister went to PS7 and that’s when Sac High really caught my attention. The schools are not for everyone, but the focus on A-G requirements at Sac High really excited me and got me thinking about life after high school.
Why did you want to be the ASB President?
New Garden Mural Created by Dragon Alumni Aizik Brown
Edible Sac High sat down to get to know more about muralist, Aizik Brown, a 2012 Sac High graduate who also studied Studio Art at Humboldt State University. Aizik was inspired at a young age by his father, who was a graffiti artist. He remembered his father showing him how to draw and was totally stunned by it. “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” said Aizik. “Once I found graffiti I did not want to stop doing it. I have to say that my father was the main influence and inspiration in me becoming an artist.”
St. HOPE Scholars Excel at College Track
HOPEsters participating in College Track ended the 16-17 school year with a bang and are off to a great start as they head back to school this August. Joining the Oak Park neighborhood in 2014, College Track’s mission is to remove the barriers that prevent students from earning their college degree by providing them with comprehensive academic support, leadership training, financial and college advising, and scholarships. Like us, they teach our scholars the skills necessary to succeed in college and beyond.
New clothing and accessories shop opens in Oak Park
Marcy 31, 2017
It’s not a men’s clothing store. It’s not a women’s boutique. Strapping is introducing Sacramento to androgynous apparel and accessories at its new shop, which soft opened Wednesday in Oak Park’s Broadway Triangle District.
“It’s a new concept,” says shop owner Susan Stewart, a retail veteran who lives in Tahoe Park and began her online company Strapping Fit in January 2016 with clothing and accessories she designed to fit her own body type and lifestyle.
Six great new restaurant patios to check out this summer
June 28, 2017
A hot summer night. A cool Delta breeze. Flowing conversation and wine (or beer). From a tropical oasis in midtown to a pastoral terrace in Sloughhouse, these six new restaurant patios have it all.
Burgers & Brew
Now coming to Oak Park – startups in shipping containers
July 13, 2017
A funky new concept is coming to ever-changing Oak Park.
Architect Ron Vrilakas has a plan to construct a mini startup campus on an empty lot at 34th Street and Broadway, across from the Broadway Triangle retail and housing development he built.
But this new venture comes with a twist: Up to 30 work and retail spaces in the building would be made out of shipping containers.
Meet Malcolm Brown
Malcolm Brown joined the St. HOPE Family this summer as the Managing Director of Operations. Learn more about Malcolm and his journey to St. HOPE in the brief interview below.
Malcom, tell us about where you come from and what’s prepared you for your new role?
Scholars Intern in Oak Park
While most students are sleeping in and hanging out with friends, a group of 12 scholars entering their senior year at Sac High participated in the new St. HOPE Oak Park Internship Program. The pilot program connects students with various nonprofit organizations all located in the Oak Park neighborhood for a 4-week volunteer internship of 12-15 hours per week.
Oak Park Prep Scholar Grows Over Five Grade Levels in Reading
Our Oak Park Prep scholars spend two years with us, and during each and every one of those days, all of them know our mission, which can be summed up in one word: growth.
We have always placed a special emphasis on literacy. Our scholars receive two specially designed ELA classes daily. One class focuses on rigorous, grade level content while the other meets them where they are, at their individual reading level. We believe this method enhances growth and promotes a culture of learning.
DeMarcus Cousins & VSP Global Host Basketball Camp at Sac High
New Orleans Pelican, NBA All Star, and 2016 Olympic gold medalist DeMarcus Cousins (DMC) has seen his share of successes. As a former Sacramento King, his impact was always a topic of debate. His on-court persona has been at odds with his off the court demeanor. Regardless of your opinion, one truth is evident; DeMarcus Cousins has kept his promise to the Sacramento youth who saw him develop as a professional into the superstar he has become.