Underground Books: Home

Event

Let’s Read Oak Park
Underground Books

Let’s Read Oak Park is presented by St. HOPE for elementary school aged children to 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!

Each child will receive a FREE book to take home from Underground Books.

PURCHASE TICKETS

Event

Easter Brunch at Esther’s Park
Esther's Park

There’s no better way to celebrate Easter Sunday than with a jazz brunch at Esther’s Park! Relax with live jazz music featuring The Guild House Band and DJ Mad Sticks, enjoy a delicious brunch entrée provided by Fixins Soul Kitchen and an incredible champagne bar that will be serving a variety of Mimosa’s. You’ll experience the perfect blend of delicious food and entertainment.

Let one of the hottest Dj’s in town provide the soundtrack to a Sunday Funday that you won’t forget. Exceptional music and service is what we aim for.

Event

Let’s Read Oak Park
Underground Books

Let’s Read Oak Park is presented by St. HOPE for elementary school aged children to 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!

Each child will receive a FREE book to take home from Underground Books.

Register Now

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Scholars Success and Go Dragons!
President's Message

As we end Black History Month, I wanted to share some exciting news about our Sac High scholars who are shining in both the classroom and on the court. We are proud to be a part of Cal State Chico’s Fulbright Program and Sac High Principal Christina Williams-James shared our scholars’ academic successes in an opinion editorial in the Sacramento Observer. Our boys basketball team had a very exciting season making it to round one of the 2023 CIF State Boys Basketball Championships.

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Human Rights Leader Ben Jealous To Speak Locally
Former NAACP President To Host Book-Signing Event At Underground Books

Ben Jealous, one of America’s modern-day advocates for human rights, justice, and the youngest person to serve as NAACP President and CEO, is scheduled to host a book signing event Monday, Feb. 20, at Underground Books. Jealous will be in conversation with OBSERVER publisher Larry Lee, followed by a book signing for his new book, “Never Forget Our People Were Always Free.” The event will start at 6 p.m.

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Paving the Way for a Brighter Future
President's Message

Black History month is an important time of reflection and connectivity. It is a time to honor the past as we recognize how previous struggles connect to the present day and pave the way for a brighter future. An important part of this includes ensuring that our youth are connected to leaders who look like them and are from their communities. Hearing about their life journeys, struggles, career aspirations, and successes shows them that they too can achieve what they set their minds to. 

Article USA TodayBy Ashley Williams

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.

Article By Jared ChildressSeptemer 21, 2022

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.

Article By Sarah Murphy

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.”

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‘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.

Pipeline Newsletter

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.

Pipeline Newsletter

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.

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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,

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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.

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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”.

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‘Getting the recognition it deserves’: Community prepares for Juneteenth celebrations in Sacramento
KCRA 6.17.21

https://www.kcra.com/article/community-prepares-juneteenth-celebrations-sacramento/36759430

VIDEO

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.