St. Hope Band 3
Men who dress up as Black Santa Claus spread joy, diversity and inclusion for the holidays
12.21.22
As Santa Claus jingled up the steps to the Richardson family’s suburban Atlanta home on a chilly evening, two eager little faces appeared behind the opened door to greet him.
A jovial “Merry Christmas!” emerged from the white beard of Andre Parker, a professional Black Santa, as a boy and girl of the same complexion screamed with excitement in their pajamas.
Black Santas such as Santa Andre, as he’s known to children, are growing in popularity amid a rise in diversity and representation among traditional holiday characters.
God And Great People Have Shown Up For Cynthia ‘Cynt’ Marshall
10.24.22
God And Great People Have Shown Up For Cynthia ‘Cynt’ Marshall
Cynthia “Cynt” Marshall was always destined for greatness.
The straight-A student was plucked out of the Richmond projects on a full-ride scholarship to UC Berkeley, going on to become one of the first Black female officers at AT&T. She walked with grace through a public battle with colon cancer in 2011, beating the stage-3 diagnosis and living to make history in 2018 when she became the NBA’s first Black female CEO as head of the Dallas Mavericks.
Sit Back, Relax, and Enjoy a Good Film
September 6, 2022
The Inaugural five-day “Oak Park Black Film Festival” kicks off Sept 7 at the Guild Theater.
The first annual Oak Park Black Film Festival is just days away – and it’s a must-see.
Oak Park hosts ‘First Friday’ as heat bears down across the region
ABC 10 - September 2, 2022
In Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood, community members braved the heat to check out the ‘First Friday’ block party
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The first Friday of September ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend was a hot one across Northern California, with temperatures rising above 100 degrees.
In Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood, community members braved the heat to visit the community block party from 32nd and 36th Street along Broadway.
Oak Park Black Film Festival
Capitol Public Radio 9.1.22
Oak Park’s foundation is Sacramento’s Black contributions, community, and history. And for the first time, the neighborhood is rolling out a “red carpet” of sorts. The inaugural Oak Park Black Film Festival will showcase more than a dozen films, as well as panel discussions over five days. Cassandra Jennings is the CEO of St. Hope and oversees a family of nonprofits committed to revitalizing Oak Park, joined Insight to provide a preview of the festival.
Oak Park Juneteenth Block Party Leaves Community Hopeful, Energized
CBS 13 - June 19, 2022
Juneteenth Celebration In Oak Park Promotes Opportunity For Change
[Embed]
Inaugural Oak Park Black Film Festival Stirs Passions
September 17, 2022
Click Here for theThe Full Online Story
(OAK PARK) – On a moment’s notice, Dr. Julius Garvey flew across the country from New York City to attend the inaugural Oak Park Black Film Festival in Sacramento. He’d been invited to sit on the discussion panel for the short film about his father, “Whirlwind: The Marcus Garvey Story,” directed by Shaka Satori.
St. HOPE’s History Builds the Foundation for its Future
Oct 7, 2020
Updated: Oct 8, 2020
With 30 years of challenges, successes and reinvention, St. HOPE proves it’s a valuable part of the Oak Park community.
History of Sacramento High School
St. HOPE was founded in 2003 but the school campus’ history dates back to the late 19th century. Named after the city, Sacramento High School started as a small one room building with less than 40 students in attendance. After several moves the school settled at its current location at 34th and Y street in 1924.
8-Year-Old Entrepreneur Finds A Sweet Spot
Sacramento Observer
On a triple-digit heat day in Sacramento, what’s better than an ice cold glass of lemonade?
Answer: supporting Achazia, an 8-year-old entrepreneur.
As the creator of Sippin’ Pretti Lemonade, Achazia has become one of the city’s youngest entrepreneurs. Founded in August 2021, the traveling pop-up business has delighted Sacramentans with homemade lemonade pouches for just $5. There are 25 flavors, including original, black cherry, watermelon, and a mystery flavor that has been guessed by only one customer.
Oak Park’s 1st annual Black Film Festival coming to Guild Theater
ABC 10
The 1st annual Black Film Festival for Oak Park will debut at the Guild Theater in Sacramento.
JUNE- Celebrating the Future. Acknowledging the Past.
A Message from St. HOPE
Dear St. HOPE family and friends,
I always enjoy this time of year as we come together to celebrate our scholars and recognize their success. Together with their families, teachers, the greater community, our scholars have reflected on how far they have come and are now looking ahead at their bright future.
Over the past few weeks, St. HOPE Public Schools had promotion ceremonies for kindergarteners, 5th graders, 8th graders and the mighty Sacramento High School class of 2022.
Sacramento Charter High School Celebrates College-Bound Seniors
May 13, 2022
Sacramento Charter High School is celebrating a high number of college acceptances this year, sending their seniors off with a special celebration.
Big Day of Giving
A Message from the President
Dear Community Members,
The Big Day of Giving (BDOG) is an important way to support local nonprofits that are working hard to make a difference in the community. St. HOPE has been on the ground for over 30 years to bring high quality education and economic development and investment to a historically underserved community. I hope you will support St. HOPE by making a meaningful contribution by clicking here or on the Big Day image today or anytime leading up to the Big Day on May 5.
RISE UP TOGETHER to build stronger communities
A Message from the President
Dear Community,
Within the last few weeks, our hearts have been saddened by the gun violence and business break-ins that have cast a shadow right here in our Sacramento community and across the nation. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who have lost loved ones and all of those who have been touched or traumatized by the recent events.
Sacramento-area bookstores celebrate their day with tour for bibliophiles (April 30)
The Sacramento Bee
Underground Books manager Georgia West, commonly known as “Mother Rose,” of Oak Park, admires a photo of a child with “Black Santa” during the second annual Christmas in Oak Park event Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, at the bookstore and neighboring The Guild Theater. “For kids to see a Santa Claus that looks like them for a change … I mean any Santa is good, but I just think we need some options,” West said. “It’s a diverse community, and so we want diversity, we want everybody to come,” she added, “but I just think, for us, this is a great option and a great event.”
St. HOPE Spring Festival
Good Day - April 9, 2022
St. Hope Public Schools is hosting a spring market full of food trucks and family-friendly activities!
All families are invited to St. HOPE Public Schools’ Spring Festival!
All families are invited to St. HOPE Public Schools’ Spring Festival! SHPS will be hosting a free admission event with local night market vendors, food trucks, community resources, and a kids zone with a variety of activities and attractions. This event will safely bring everyone together for a day of family-friendly fun in the Oak Park community. The kids zone will feature face painting, bounce houses, a petting zoo, carnival rides, and more!
Join us Saturday, April 9th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Sacramento Charter High School football field.
“Far East Deep South” Premiere
Movie Premiere + Discussion
In this critical time and focus on social injustice and asian hate crimes, St. HOPE has partnered with the CA Railroad Museum and the Sacramento Asian Pacific Film Festival to bring together the African American and Asian American communities to watch the Sacramento premiere of the “Far East Deep South” followed by Q&A discussion with the film’s producers and Sacramento’s Black and Asian Communities on Saturday, April 9 at 4pm.
Alumni Highlight: Aryanna Lewis
Recently, we caught up with St. HOPE alumnae, Aryanna Lewis, to discuss her recently being crowned as Miss Black Sacramento. Aryanna who attended St. HOPE Public Schools from Kindergarten - High School, graduated from Sac High, Class of 2014 and was her class Student Body Vice President. She credits her St. HOPE background as the foundation of her morals and as the pathway that lead her to reach higher goals. We are certainly proud of Aryanna’s accomplishments and how she continues to be a positive representative of our St. HOPE family!