Underground Books: Home
Medical Speaker Series
Presented by Dr. Keith & Sheila Hopkins
Join local medical experts during this free community speaker series to discuss and answer questions about African-American health topics including:
Hypertension
Diabetes
Cancer Screening
Health Insurance
Vaccinations
And more!
Brought to you by Dr. Keith & Sheila Hopkins
Children’s Storytime
Come join us on the last Saturday of each month from 12-1pm for Children’s Story time at Underground Books (2814 35th St.) hosted by the River City Road Runners.
The free event is catered to children ages 3-10 and includes a book reading and an organized arts and crafts project. Kids also receive a free book!
Parents are welcome to attend and participate with their children.
Please visit our upcoming events section for future dates, or contact the bookstore for more information.
Michael Colen “The History of Sacramento Rap: 1982-2009″
Discussion and Book Signing
Sacramento’s greatest commodity isn’t the Kings, trees, the Farm-To-Fork Festival, or being the capitol of California. Around the world, Sacramento is most known for its rap music. Sac’s rich 35-year rap history is admired far beyond our borders. With Mozzy’s success and X-Raided’s prison release, Sac rap is bigger than ever!
Milton Bowens Art Talk
Discussion with Milton Bowens
Join local artist Milton Bowens for an engaging art discussion.
Mocha Girls Read
Book Club
We are a group of black women who love to read, want to read more and meet like-minded women. We are here to inspire women to read, share literature, fellowship, and encourage others in the joy of reading. We meet in Sacramento, CA at Underground Book Store every month. n We are an eclectic group of women and so are our reading selections. Find out more on our website www.mochagirlsread.com
Join us on March 9 at 10am to discuss “Becoming” by Michelle Obama
Sandra Green “God Hears the Whispers of our Hearts”
Discussion and Book Signing
The title of this book, God Hears the Whispers of Our Hearts, came from sitting on a park bench with my four children when they were small, on the grounds of the State Capitol of Sacramento, with a wondering thought about where my life was headed and in what direction I will end up at. It began as a thought and then a whisper and sigh.
Beatrice Toney Bailey “Get Ready, Get Set, Cuz We’re All Gonna Go!!”
Discussion and Book Signing
“Farewell, My Friend” has been updated and renamed to “Get Ready, Get Set Cuz…We’re All Gonna Go!!” Bea gives you key advice regarding estate planning, in-home care, and funeral planning as well as dealing with doctors, hospitals, wills, trusts, stress, and even Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This workbook also incorporates every conceivable facet of care giving and care taking.
Jamil Jan Kochi “99 Nights in Logar “
Discussion and Book Signing
A dog on the loose. A boy yearning to connect to his family’s roots. A country in the midst of great change. And a vibrant exploration of the power of stories–the ones we tell each other and the ones we find ourselves in.
Underground Books Book Club
"Becoming" by Michelle Obama
Underground Books
Join us as we discuss the popular new book release by First Lady Michelle Obama.
All are welcome!
Janet Strickmon “To Black Parents Visiting Earth”
Discussion and Book Signing
I have spent nearly 20 years of my life doing social justice work, fighting alongside others to dismantle various systems of oppression. Most of this work is done in the classroom and some of it done as a writer.
Pamela Hadley “Relationship Dynamics”
Discussion and Book Signing
Relationships are everywhere, and they are a part of everyone’s life no matter who you are. The Bible highlights three relationship types. These relationship types can be found in Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-9, they are, the marital relationship, family relationship, and working relationship. In this book, Relationship Dynamics you’ll learn how relationships are made to work, flow, operate effectively and successfully through the application of God’s Word and His design for relationships. God is a God of order and His design for relationships is no exception.
Children’s Storytime
Come join us on the last Saturday of each month from 12-1pm for Children’s Story time at Underground Books (2814 35th St.) hosted by the River City Road Runners.
The free event is catered to children ages 3-10 and includes a book reading and an organized arts and crafts project. Kids also receive a free book!
Parents are welcome to attend and participate with their children.
Please visit our upcoming events section for future dates, or contact the bookstore for more information.
Suzette Harrison and Sheryl Lister “Birthday Bid” & “The Reluctant Bid”
Discussion and Book Signing
Suzette Harrison and Sheryl Lister
“Birthday Bid” & ”The Reluctant Bid”
Saturday, April 13 from 2 – 4 pm
Robin Ayers – Unspoken Languages: Making Your Beliefs Speak For You
Discussion and Book Signing
A feel-good book that ignites the unspoken language of belief to live the life you desire and deserve! Robin Ayers shares real life stories of her own and she references experiences of others to show the power of belief that we’ve all been born with. Have you ever felt stuck in your life? Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have it all while others struggle to find their way? The answer is simply that all things begin with belief. What do you believe about yourself and the capabilities that you have.
“Paint and Sip” with Ebony London
By Underground Books
“Harmony”
I am in harmony with myself.
I am in harmony with you.
I am in harmony with us.
At this painting event, you will paint three figures, standing side-by-side, with flowing garments. You will spend time customizing the figure’s gender, skin tone, hair color/texture and the figure’s clothing design & colors.
Cost: $35
Visit Underground Books to reserve your seat!!
Children’s Storytime
Come join us on the last Saturday of each month from 12-1pm for Children’s Story time at Underground Books (2814 35th St.) hosted by the River City Road Runners.
The free event is catered to children ages 3-10 and includes a book reading and an organized arts and crafts project. Kids also receive a free book!
Parents are welcome to attend and participate with their children.
Please visit our upcoming events section for future dates, or contact the bookstore for more information.
On the Come Up
By Angie Thomas
Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least win her first battle. As the daughter of an underground hip hop legend who died right before he hit big, Bri’s got massive shoes to fill. But it’s hard to get your come up when you’re labeled a hoodlum at school and your fridge at home is empty after your mom loses her job. So Bri pours her anger and frustration into her first song, which goes viral…for all the wrong reasons.
The Truths We Hold: An American Journey
By Kamala Harris
From one of America’s most inspiring political leaders, a book about the core truths that unite us, and the long struggle to discern what those truths are and how best to act upon them, in her own life and across the life of our country.
Never Shut Up: The Life, Opinions, and Unexpected Adventures of an NFL Outlier
By Marcellus Wiley
Ex-NFL player, gentleman scholar, and Fox Sports personality Marcellus Wiley sucks you into a world of inner-city violence, Ivy League intrigue, and pro-football escapades that’s one part touching, one part hilarious, and all parts impossible to put down.
Sweet Home Cafe
A Celebration of African American Cooking
A celebration of African American cooking with 109 recipes from the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Sweet Home Café
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics
by Donna Brazile, Yolana Caraway, Leah Daughtry and Minyon Moore
The four most powerful African-American women in politics share the story of their friendship and how it has changed politics in America.
Last Stop on Market Street
by Matt de la Peña (Author), Christian Robinson (Illustrator)
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Winner of the 2016 Newbery Medal
A 2016 Caldecott Honor Book
A 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book
A New York Times Book Review Notable Children’s Book of 2015
A Wall Street Journal Best Children’s Book of 2015
Carmela Full of Wishes
by Matt de la Peña (Author), Christian Robinson (Illustrator)
An Instant New York Times Bestseller!
In their first collaboration since the Newbery Medal- and Caldecott Honor-winning Last Stop on Market Street, Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson deliver a poignant and timely new picture book that’s sure to be an instant classic.
Under Fire
by April Ryan
Veteran White House reporter April Ryan thought she had seen everything in her two decades as a White House correspondent. And then came the Trump administration.
In Under Fire, Ryan takes us inside the confusion and chaos of the Trump White House to understand how she and other reporters adjusted to the new normal. She takes us inside the policy debates, the revolving door of personnel appointments, and what it is like when she, as a reporter asking difficult questions, finds herself in the spotlight, becoming part of the story.
An American Marriage
By Tayari Jones
THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB 2018 SELECTION
LONGLISTED FOR THE 2018 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR FICTION
“A moving portrayal of the effects of a wrongful conviction on a young African-American couple.” —Barack Obama
“Haunting . . . Beautifully written.” —The New York Times Book Review
“Brilliant and heartbreaking . . . Unforgettable.” —USA Today
“A tense and timely love story . . . Packed with brave questions about race and class.” —People
The Sun Does Shine
By Anthony Ray Hinton
The Instant New York Times Bestseller
A powerful, revealing story of hope, love, justice, and the power of reading by a man who spent thirty years on death row for a crime he didn’t commit.
“An amazing and heartwarming story, it restores our faith in the inherent goodness of humanity.”
- Archbishop Desmond Tutu
My Love Story
By Tina Turner
Tina Turner—the long-reigning queen of rock & roll and living legend—sets the record straight about her illustrious career and complicated personal life in this eye-opening and compelling memoir.
From her early years in Nutbush, Tennessee to her rise to fame alongside Ike Turner to her phenomenal success in the 1980s and beyond, Tina candidly examines her personal history, from her darkest hours to her happiest moments and everything in between.
Born a Crime
By Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah’s unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show began with a criminal act: his birth. Trevor was born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Living proof of his parents’ indiscretion, Trevor was kept mostly indoors for the earliest years of his life, bound by the extreme and often absurd measures his mother took to hide him from a government that could, at any moment, steal him away.
Barracoon: The Story of the Last Black Cargo”
By Zora Neale Hurston
A major literary event: a never-before-published work from the author of the American classic, Their Eyes Were Watching God which brilliantly illuminates the horror and injustices of slavery as it tells the true story of the last known survivor of the Atlantic slave trade — illegally smuggled from Africa on the last ”Black Cargo” ship to arrive in the United States. In 1927, Zora Neale Hurston went to Plateau, Alabama, to interview ninety-five-year-old Cudjo Lewis.
The Hate U Give
Angie Thomas
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.
John Woman
By Walter Mosley
A convention-defying novel by bestselling writer Walter Mosley, John Woman recounts the transformation of an unassuming boy named Cornelius Jones into John Woman, an unconventional history professor―while the legacy of a hideous crime lurks in the shadows.
“Shade” A Tale of Two Presidents
By Pete Souza
From Pete Souza, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Obama: An Intimate Portrait, comes a powerful tribute to a bygone era of integrity in politics.
As Chief Official White House Photographer, Pete Souza spent more time alongside President Barack Obama than almost anyone else. His years photographing the President gave him an intimate behind-the-scenes view of the unique gravity of the Office of the Presidency—and the tremendous responsibility that comes with it.
Becoming
Michelle Obama
Becoming is the autobiographical memoir of former United States First Lady Michelle Obama published in 2018. Described by the author as a deeply personal experience, the book talks about her roots and how she found her voice, as well as her time in the White House, her public health campaign, and her role as a mother.
Behold the Dreamers: A Novel
By Imbolo Mbue
A compulsively readable debut novel about marriage, immigration, class, race, and the trapdoors in the American Dream—the unforgettable story of a young Cameroonian couple making a new life in New York just as the Great Recession upends the economy
New York Times Bestseller • Winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award • Longlisted for the PEN/Open Book Award • An ALA Notable Book
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY
Ira Crumb Makes a Pretty Good Friend
By Naseem Hrab
Meet Ira Crumb. He’s the new kid in town. He knows what that means: when the new school year starts, he’ll play alone at recess, eat alone at lunch, and walk home alone at the end of the day. So Ira launches a whole-hearted campaign to befriend neighborhood kids before the first day. But his best-laid plans ― A sandwich stand! A dance-off! ― fall flat, and playing it cool doesn’t seem to work either.
The Last Black Unicorn
By Tiffany Haddish
From stand-up comedian, actress, and breakout star of Girls Trip, Tiffany Haddish, comes The Last Black Unicorn, a sidesplitting, hysterical, edgy, and unflinching collection of (extremely) personal essays, as fearless as the author herself. Growing up in one of the poorest neighborhoods of South Central Los Angeles, Tiffany learned to survive by making people laugh. If she could do that, then her classmates would let her copy their homework, the other foster kids she lived with wouldn’t beat her up, and she might even get a boyfriend.
Now Accepting Applications!
St. HOPE Public Schools (SHPS) is now accepting applications for the 2019-2020 academic year! With over 15 years of high-quality public education focused on getting scholars to and through college, St. HOPE is the right choice for your family. SHPS offers tuition-free, college prep charter schools located in the Oak Park community, and our scholars are prepared to excel, trained to lead, and empowered to serve. Interested in joining one of Sacramento’s highest performing charter school networks?
Hey YOU…Come to our NEW PARK!
The 3rd Avenue lot near St. HOPE’s 40 Acres Complex was once the site of Esther’s Pastry Shoppe, a two-story mixed use building constructed in 1915 that provided Oak Park residents with freshly baked goods through much of the 1900’s. By the time the historic building was acquired by St. HOPE Development Company in the late 1990’s, it was in a state of disrepair and in need of major funding before it could be restored. In 2018, the badly deteriorated building was deemed uninhabitable and was therefore demolished.
Increasing Family Participation and Encouraging Ongoing Involvement
Family involvement contributes positively to the learning experience and success of our St. HOPE scholars. We understand the importance of having clear and consistent communication channels, and engaging parents and caregivers throughout their scholars’ education – not just when there is a problem. We have been working with our St. HOPE community and are excited to see various ways family participation and engagement has increased at St. HOPE Public Schools:
Scholars Work Hard AND Play Hard!
Building scholar investment, excitement, joy and love for school is one of our number one priorities at PS7 Elementary. Our PS7 Team is committed to going above and beyond for our scholars so they have the best elementary experience possible. Each quarter, our staff plans incentives that provide our scholars with opportunities to partner with the community, and build camaraderie and teamwork with their classmates.
Christmas in Oak Park presented by: Underground Books & The Guild Theater
On December 15, Underground Books and The Guild Theater partnered to host a great Christmas event for all families from the Oak Park community.
Dance Education: Training the Whole Student
By Shawna Smith, 9th Grade Dance Instructor
Dance is not just a physical art form, it is also an academic exercise and confidence booster. How, you might ask? First, scholars must understand the science and application of the mind and body. Then, they must learn about mathematical structures of angles, counting music, shaping formations and how to travel through space and time to create transitions. Finally, they must comprehend the historical meaning behind the movements, understand sentence structure to create a story with non verbal language, and above all the importance of instilling confidence.
Meeting of the Minds
The 12th Meeting of the Minds Annual Summit convened this year in Sacramento with the purpose of spotlighting tools and best practices. Leaders from around the nation were brought together at this event held downtown and St. HOPE was fortunate enough to have been chosen to lead a workshop tour of Oak Park alongside Sacramento City Council Member, Jay Schenirer.
9th Grade Scholars Build Strong Community
9th Grade Academy scholars had the opportunity to participate in team building at UC Davis this quarter! Our scholars competed in various competitions in their advisory classes in order to strengthen their teamwork and build community, all with the ultimate goal of claiming the Dragon Cup! Our scholars had so much fun participating in team building activities on the UC Davis quad. We ended our team building activity with a picnic.
Walkin 4 A Cause
For the second year in a row, a group of Sac High students and staff participated in the annual Walk 4 Literacy event sponsored by the Sacramento Library Authority. The 3-mile walk, which begins at McClatchy Park in Oak Park, meanders through different neighborhoods, past the State Capitol and ends with a festival at Cesar Chavez Plaza across from City Hall.
Giving Thanks in Oak Park
On the Monday before Thanksgiving, several St. HOPE teachers, staff, students and parents joined countless volunteers at the Sacramento Food Bank to help distribute turkeys and all the fixings to those in need. Thousands of people lined the streets of Oak Park to be one of many to receive the donation given in a nifty Sacramento Food Bank bag.
Preparing St. HOPE Scholars to Succeed in College
We are committed to ensuring all of our scholars receive a strong foundation so they are prepared to attend, succeed in, and complete college. We believe in encouraging our young scholars to set their sights on college early, which is why we offer college field trips for every grade level, from K-12. These trips are a special time for our scholars to learn more about college and visualize themselves making it to and through college.
Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles planned in Oak Park
Sacramento Business Journal - October 22, 2018
Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles planned in Oak Park
By Ben van der Meer – Staff Writer, Sacramento Business Journal
Oct 22, 2018, 11:29am
Chicken and waffles are being planned for Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood, with an application before the city to add to a building at 3824 Third Ave. Here are some highlights from the application.
St. HOPE + NetSuite
By Ton Saliew, Technology Program Manager
At St. HOPE, we are always looking to improve efficiencies and economies of scale. A few things we considered when searching for a new finance system were agility, unity, and scalability. We needed a new finance system up and running fast, so NetSuite’s out-of-the-box, 60-day “SuiteSuccess” program offered the speed we sorely needed to hit the ground running. After years of using disparate systems and processes, NetSuite’s unified approach to finance operations centered our payroll, accounting, and finances in a way never realized previously.
Walter Mosley Visits Underground Books
Underground Books had the honor of hosting renowned and critically acclaimed author Walter Mosley at the 40 Acres Complex for an enchanting evening at the bookstore and a fireside chat at the Guild Theater.
Mr. Mosley, who authored “Devil in a Blue Dress,” visited Oak Park to share his newest novel, John Woman, and talk about his career, writing projects, and insight as a crime-fiction writer.
Annual Fundraiser Exceeds Expectations
The Annual St. HOPE Dinner, which took place on September 23 at the Downtown Hyatt Regency, began like so many others in years prior – a packed house eagerly anticipating a fun-filled evening. However, this year’s event left a long-lasting impression on the hundreds of guests who attended.
FUN-tastic Times at the Guild Theater!
Have you been to an event at the Guild recently?
Lately, the Guild Theater has been the place to be! The Guild Theater has provided so many events including movie nights, comedy shows, and even plays! Early this month, the Guild has hosted events such as: Anthropology of Dia de los Muertos lecture, Fireside Chat with Walter Mosley, Specialty Coffee Panel, Cinderella Scholarship Pageant, and of course a movie every Tuesday by Popcorn Culture!
Cookin’ it up with NASA!
Domina Stamas, Sac High Science Teacher
Over the past few years I have collaborated multiple times with NASA for many projects with our students as well as my own professional development.
I recently spoke with Johnson Space Center in Houston and we were given the green light to participate in the Astronaut Culinary Challenge.
Not only will we be the only school in California to participate this year, we will be the FIRST California school to participate in the program!!
Underground Books Presents Walter Mosley!
Underground Books proudly presents renowned and critically acclaimed author Walter Mosley next Friday, October 12 at the Guild Theater and Underground Books. Join us for a fire chat discussion and book signing as Mr. Mosley shares his newest novel, John Woman.
First Impressions: My College Experience
By TaKayla Johnson, Sac High Class of 2018
I’ve always dreamed about going to an HBCU. I was unsure about my experience at a predominantly white institution. I currently attend California State University, Sacramento and I have loved my experience thus far. Coming from a predominantly black high school, Sacramento Charter High School, the diversity of Sac State’s campus was truly a culture shock, but the levels of love and unity helped me overcome my worries about attending a local university. Sac state is a great campus and I have learned the importance of my presence on this campus.
Staff Star: Mr. Antonio Sarabia
Here at St. HOPE we find it very rewarding to recognize the outstanding commitment from our staff, which more than often go above and beyond to give scholars an unforgettable learning experience. With amazing staff like Mr. Sarabia, Sac High’s Visual Arts and Communications teacher, there’s no wonder why we have such amazing scholars.
This month we had the privilege of sitting down with veteran HOPEster, Mr. Sarabia, to hear a little about his story. Here’s what we captured:
Q: How long have you been here? How did you hear about St. HOPE?