Underground Books: Home
Let’s Read Oak Park: Black History Month
Underground Books
Elementary school aged children explore books and participate in hands on activities with an emphasis on cultural themes. Students will engage in interactive book readings, and select a free book of their choice to take home and encourage reading together as a family!
The February Let’s Read Oak Park will celebrate Black History Month with a special interactive reading and a cultural activity!
Pop-Up Vendor: VanesScents
Underground Books
Please stop by another special pop-up event with one of our favorite local vendors Vanessa Dickerson’s VanesScents who returns with her ever popular hand crafted soy wax candles and fragrant oils.
Author Talk and Book Signing with Civil Rights Leader Ben Jealous
Underground Books
ABOUT THE EVENT
Join us for the return of the Underground Books author talk and book discussions during BLACK HISTORY MONTH. February will feature Ben Jealous, as he discusses his new book released January 10, 2023 “Never Forget Our People Were Always Free: A Parable of American Healing”.
Pop-Up Vendor: Kolah’s Sea Moss
Underground Books
Throughout the year, Underground Books proudly features several local black-owned vendors.
Please stop by the store to show your support of these talented and creative entrepreneurs.
Kolah’s Sea Moss juices not only taste good but feed your mind, body, and soul. Kolah’s Sea Moss is wellness you will fall in love with, and everyone around you can see and feel!
Please stop by to visit!
Let’s Read Oak Park: Women’s History Month
Underground Books
Elementary school aged children explore books and participate in hands on activities with an emphasis on cultural themes. Students will engage in interactive book readings, and select a free book of their choice to take home and encourage reading together as a family!
The March Let’s Read Oak Park will celebrate Women’s History Month with a special interactive reading and a cultural activity!
Author Talk and Book Signing with Adrian Bracy
Underground Books
Join us for another author talk and book discussion featuring Adrian Bracy as she discusses her book “Halftime: Learn to Pivot as a Leader and Identify Your Next Step” released in 2021.
Adrian Elizabeth Bracy, MBA, CPA, is an author, business and personal coach, consultant, and motivational speaker. Bracy spent 18 years in senior financial management with the National Football League, including Chief Financial Officer for the Arizona Cardinals.
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.
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 Juneteenth Block Party Leaves Community Hopeful, Energized
CBS 13 - June 19, 2022
Juneteenth Celebration In Oak Park Promotes Opportunity For Change
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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.
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.”
‘A place where we can show Black excellence’: Inside Sacramento region’s only Black-owned bookstore
KCRA - February 3, 2003
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
The Sacramento region’s only Black-owned bookstore can be found in the heart of Oak Park.
Underground Books opened its doors in 2003 to fill a need in its community: There are no public libraries in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood.
“If people don’t benefit, if the community doesn’t benefit, then we’re doing something wrong,” Cassandra Jennings told KCRA 3.
Let’s Read Oak Park
Launch of New St. HOPE Reading Initiative
With a new focus on racial injustice, there is a spotlight on the sobering statistics in the reading levels between black and white students. In 2019, The Nation’s Report Card from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) found that just 15% of Black 8th graders were at or above reading “proficiency.” About half didn’t even reach the “basic” reading benchmark.
Underground Books: Gift Ideas
December 16, 2021
Still need ideas for gift giving? Ashley Williams is in Sacramento at Underground Books giving you great book gift giving ideas.
Colour of Music Festival Debuts in Sacramento November 10-13
We are thrilled to welcome the Colour of Music Festival to Sacramento! Since 2013, the Colour of Music Festival has showcased the talents of black classical musicians and composers and highlighted their impact and historical significance on American and world culture. The Festival began with performances in Charleston, South Carolina and is now bringing some of the top black classical musicians, trained at some of the most prestigious music schools, conservatories and universities in the world, to Sacramento.
Journey to the Future with St. HOPE’s New CEO, Cassandra Jennings
Dear St. HOPE friends, family and community,
I feel so blessed to be at St. HOPE and back in the Oak Park neighborhood in this season of my personal and professional journey, so I can continue to pour into the community that has been a part of my life for over three decades. My kids attended school in Oak Park; I worship in Oak Park; and both my husband and I worked for many years to improve the lives of Oak Park residents and to support the mission of St. HOPE to revitalize the community. I recall some of the initiatives I worked on over the years, including street clean ups, first time homebuyer programs, the St. HOPE after school program,
To & Through College Starts Today with PS7 Elementary TK/Kindergarten
Your scholar’s journey to and through college starts today with PS7 Elementary’s TK/Kindergarten program. Offering a FULL day program for both TK & Kindergarten, scholars are in school from 7:30AM to 3:00PM. PS7 Elementary also offers an after-school program, which runs until 6:00 PM, and provides enrichment opportunities such as Sac Theatre Company and Music In Motion.
New Guild Theater Concert Series
The Guild Theater is kicking off a new concert series starting August 13th with R&B group, Troop! Troop, which stands for Total Respect for Other People, is known for a series of number-one R&B hits, including popular cover versions of the songs “All I Do Is Think of You” and “Sweet November”, originally performed by The Jackson 5 and The Deele. They also had a number-one hit with their original song “Spread My Wings”.
‘Getting the recognition it deserves’: Community prepares for Juneteenth celebrations in Sacramento
KCRA 6.17.21
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Juneteenth celebrations in Northern California are scheduled throughout the weekend.
The president and CEO of the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce said not only does it mark a celebration for the emancipation of slaves in 1863, but it’s also a celebration for those who finally learned of their freedom two years later.
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Events Around Sacramento Celebrate First Nationally Recognized Juneteenth
CBS 13 Sacramento 6.19.21
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Several events celebrating Juneteenth happened across Sacramento on Saturday.
There were calls for not only action, but reflection, bringing both joy and determination in the fight for progress.
READ MORE:Fourth Stimulus Check: Will You Get Another Relief Payment?
Events varied from soul music and dancing in Oak Park to art and vendors all highlighting black beauty and business at one of the longest-running Juneteenth festivals in Sacramento on June 19, 2021, which was taking on new meaning.
As St. HOPE president and CEO steps down, a familiar face is taking on the position
Sacramento Bee 6.9.21
Jake Mossawir is looking forward to focusing on the next chapter of his life, his family, as he expects to become a father to a baby girl this fall.
The St. HOPE President and CEO announced that he is stepping away after six years with the organization in an email to St. Hope students and families.
Mossawir and his wife are expecting a daughter and plan to relocate to Texas to start their family.
Sacramento area’s independent bookstores celebrate coming through the pandemic with a special event
The Sacramento News and Review
Young people get into their book groove at Crawford’s Books in Sacramento.
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From Davis to El Dorado Hills, the struggle to protect local book culture from a black swan event was waged by workers and customers alike
