St. Hope Band 3
More Improvements at 40 Acres
40 Acres, formerly known as the 1922 Woodruff Hotel, was once known as one of the most dangerous spaces of Oak Park. The 23,000 sq. ft. mixed use property was acquired and renovated by St. HOPE nearly 17 years ago. Today, 40 Acres is the jewel of the neighborhood and home to The Guild Theater, Underground Books, Old Soul Coffee Co., World Class Faders, Fixins Soul Kitchen, and the Upper Room Apartments. This year, 40 Acres will undergo a second set of improvements including paint, awnings, signage, window plant boxes, and more! At St.
World Class Faders Now Open!
We are very excited to announce the opening of World Class Faders, a barbershop at 40 Acres. See below for an interview with owner Lonnie Horne.
1. Where’d you get the name World Class Faders?
I wanted a name my team, myself, and the community would be proud of. I wanted our name to give the impression that the highest level of service could be expected for anyone who walks into our business.
At Underground Books in Sacramento, youth find their freedom
1.31.2020
Author’s note: The following story was originally written for Comstock’s magazine as part of my recurring “Media File” column, a monthly examination at media-related businesses in the Sacramento region. Comstock’s declined to publish this story.
Walk into Underground Books along Broadway in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood and the first thing you’re likely to notice is that it isn’t your typical bookstore.
Are updates to Oak Park sign of gentrification?
Part 3
ABC 10 - December 19, 2019
Keristen Holmes found out some Black-owned businesses are fighting back against gentrification. Watch the video here.
Christmas in Oak Park
By Xavier Mascareñas December 14, 2019 05:07PM
Christmas in Oak Park, hosted by St. HOPE, featured photos with “Black Santa” at Underground Books, and more holiday-themed activities at neighboring The Guild Theater, on Dec. 14, 2019, in the historic African American Sacramento neighborhood. See video here.
St. HOPE Puts Data To The Test, And Aces It
November 14, 2019
After a difficult past, the Oak Park neighborhood of Sacramento has been undergoing a revitalization. One longtime force in this renewal has been a nonprofit, St. HOPE, that has spent 30 years energizing public education and economic development aimed at helping resident families thrive.
Which high school grads go to college? These Sacramento schools send the most students
SAC BEE ARTICLE BY PHILLIP REESE SEPTEMBER 11, 2019 05:20 AM
About two thirds of students who finish high school in the Sacramento region attend a two- or four-year college within a year of graduation, but college-going rates vary dramatically by school, according to California Department of Education data.
Among the roughly 17,700 graduates in the four-county area who quickly went to college after the 2017-18 school year, almost 60 percent went to a community college, nearly 20 percent went to a CSU campus, and 8 percent went to a UC campus. The rest went to a private or out-of-state college.
First Look at the Brand New PS7 Elementary School
In the winter of 2018, PS7 Elementary was awarded a $25 million dollar grant for a new facility. Over the past year we have hired key members of the team (construction manager, architect, civil engineer) and have developed the preliminary design. Our goal is to create one of the finest school facilities in the Sacramento area!
1st Annual Back to School BBQ and Backpack Giveaway with Diamond Autosport
We are super thankful to have partnered with Diamond Autosport this year for a community barbecue and backpack giveaway that was held at McClatchy Park on August 9th. Hundreds of families came out for free delicious grub, backpacks, and school supplies. Children also participated in a basketball tournament and Diamond Autosport even brought a few of their most decked out vehicles for the kids to enjoy. Overall the event was a win for our community and we send a huge thank you out to Diamond Autosport for their partnership!
Fixins Soul Kitchen brings soul food and more to North Oak Park
8.15.19
A new spot to score soul food and more has opened for business in the neighborhood. Called Fixins Soul Kitchen, the new arrival is located at 3428 Third Ave. in North Oak Park.
Fixins Soul Kitchen specializes in comfort food. On the menu, you’ll find fried catfish, fried chicken, shrimp and grits, gumbo, chicken and waffles, mac and cheese and more.
With a five-star rating out of 18 reviews on Yelp so far, the new addition is on its way to developing a local fan base.
Sacramento’s Oak Park transformed: One organization and its $89 million footprint
Sac Bee Article by David Caraccio
Long-time Oak Park resident and activist Robbin Ware remembers that when he moved to the neighborhood, “there wasn’t a damn thing.”
“There wasn’t nothing here but gangs, drugs, drugs being sold,” said Ware, 82.
Nearly 20 years later, Oak Park has become a hotbed of investment and development. One organization in particular has been busy — St. Hope.
St. Hope turns 30 and self-sustaining
July 8, 2019
One week ago today, at 4 p.m., to be exact, former Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and his fellow dreamers quietly celebrated the 30th anniversary of the founding of St. Hope — which started as a summer program in a portable classroom for 12 African-American boys but became an economic and education turbo engine for what had been the historically neglected Oak Park.
New soul food restaurant opening soon in Oak Park. One of its backers is Kevin Johnson
Sac Bee Article by Benji Engel
How does a restaurant capture the flavor of a neighborhood steeped in history that’s simultaneously more in flux than any other part of Sacramento?
Fixins Soul Kitchen went straight to the source: Oak Park residents’ family recipes. When the restaurant opens in St. Hope’s 40 Acres building around the end of July, someone’s grandma’s fried chicken or biscuits will share menu space with creations from executive chef Melvin “Boots” Johnson’s mind, said St. Hope CEO/president Jake Mossawir.
Kevin Johnson Opens New Soul Food Restaurant In Oak Park
July 9, 2019
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A familiar face is making moves in Oak Park again.
Former Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson has plans to open up a new soul food restaurant off of Broadway.
The new restaurant, called Fixins, is still a work in progress. Many would say that about the Oak Park neighborhood in general, but also that the area has come a long way in a short amount of time.
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As it Celebrates its 30 th Year, New Study Shows St. HOPE has Contributed More Than $400 Million to Local Economy
Infographic: "St. HOPE Making Its Mark on Oak Park & Sacramento"
Report: The Economic Impact of St. HOPE on the Greater Sacramento Area and the Oak Park Area
Report: "Quality of Life" in Oak Park Area with St. HOPE's Involvement in the Area
Report: The 30-Year Economic Impact of St. HOPE on the Greater Sacramento Area and the Oak Park Area
96% of Sac High Seniors Accepted to Four-Year Universities!
The Class of 2019 will be remembered as one of our most cohesive classes ever to walk through Sac High’s doors. The students from the Class of 2019 are as close as a true family who supported each other throughout the ups and downs of high school, ultimately emerging as graduates. Ninety-six percent of the seniors have been accepted to four-year universities across the nation, including 38 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, 21 California State University campuses, all nine of the University of California campuses, and 26 private and out of state colleges and universitie
PS7 Shows Off for First Art and Music Showcase
PS7 Elementary is always dedicated to bringing as many experiences to our scholars as possible. This year, we knew we wanted to increase the number of electives scholars had the opportunity to participate in while at the elementary school, so we added two — art and music. Throughout the year our scholars learned the various elements of art and music enabling them to present their first ever art and music production, “It’s A Creative World.”
6th Annual Sacramento Black Book Fair Celebration
The Sacramento Black Book Fair kicked off its 6th Annual event earlier this month in Oak Park and brought together African American authors and artists from all over to the community. This highly anticipated h two-day event included a panel discussion among featured authors, book signings, cultural and food vendors, children’s activities, poetry readings, art displays, and so much more.
A New Home for St. HOPE
As St. HOPE approaches its 30th anniversary serving the Oak Park Community, we can reflect back on the many locations we have called home. Many people still recall the original St. HOPE Academy after school building on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, which is now home to the SETA preschool. Others may remember the more corporate office space on 34th Street and 3rd avenue, which has since been completely remodeled and is now home to our friends at Valley Vision.