Underground Books: Home

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Supporting Winning Teams
Message from the CEO - 11.28.23

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. As I think about winning teams, I’m grateful for your support and generosity as we collectively work to uplift the Oak Park and greater Sacramento community.  Speaking of winning teams, I’d like to give a shout out to our Sac High football team who came back from a slow start to make it to the second round of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Playoffs.  I commend them for not giving up and making the necessary changes to finish strong.  We should never count the Sac High Dragons out. Let’s go Dragons!

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Access & Exposure for Our Students and the Community
President's Message - 11.7.23

At St. HOPE we are always working to increase access and exposure. This includes ensuring our community has access to authors and artists of all ethnicities and backgrounds. We recently hosted the Oak Park Black Film Festival at the historic Guild Theater and are getting ready to welcome the Colour of Music Festival to Sacramento. This wonderful music festival showcases the talents of black classical musicians and composers and highlights their impact and historical significance on American and world culture. 

Article The Sacramento BeeOctober 5, 2023

This Sacramento book store is defending Black and LGBTQ literature during Banned Books week

Kamuri Spears remembers a time not that long ago when the volumes on display at the Oak Park bookstore she manages were required reading in high school classrooms.

Classic works like “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” and “Invisible Man” explored the breadth of the African-American experience. And like “Native Son” and “The Color Purple,” which were all written by Black authors, have become fixtures on banned books lists nationwide.

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Highlighting Success
President's Message - 9.26.23

We are excited to share with you our latest St. HOPE Annual Report 2021-2023 that includes highlights and data from our 2021-22 and 2022-23 fiscal years. As you’ll see, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to provide high quality education for youth in the Oak Park community. We are exceedingly proud of what our scholars at PS7 and Sac High accomplish each year and we are thrilled to watch our seniors graduate knowing they will do good for the world. 

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Expanding our Worldview
President's Message - 7.20.23

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July! For me the recent Independence Day celebrations – both Juneteenth and the 4th of July – were fun-filled days spent enjoying time with family, friends, and our larger community. Not only were they full of good food and friendship, they were important occasions to reflect on the freedoms and opportunities we often take for granted. Whether due to limited access or inequitable policies, too many people in America and throughout the world face barriers to success.

Article The Sacramento Observer - 6.23.23By Jared Childress

Thousands Dance In The Street For Juneteenth
Third Annual Block Party Held At 40 Acres In Oak Park

Thousands danced in the streets of Oak Park at St. Hope’s third annual Juneteenth Block Party at the 40 Acres Complex on June 17.

A stage sat in the middle of 34th Street, closing the road in front of Underground Books. Attendees in lawn chairs vacated their seats when the DJ played the Cupid Shuffle, gathering around the stage to do the line dance akin to the Electric Slide.

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A Juneteenth Celebration
President's Message

Juneteenth, also known as “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day,” is an important national holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. Originating in Galveston, Texas, it has been celebrated annually on June 19 since 1865 and in 2021, “Juneteenth” became the 11th holiday recognized by the federal government. 

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99% of Sac High Seniors Accepted to 4-Year Colleges
President's Message

Graduation season is upon us and I’m proud to report that 99% of Sac High seniors were accepted into four-year colleges in 2023 including all nine University of California campuses and 20 out of 23 California State University campuses. This is an achievement worth celebrating! We will be congratulating our Sac High seniors as they walk across the stage at their graduation on June 3. I know they have a bright future and I can’t wait to see them succeed in college next year.

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Celebrating a Milestone
President's Message - 4.25.23

As we head outside to enjoy the beautiful spring weather, I am reminded how wonderful the city of trees is and all that Sacramento – especially Oak Park – has to offer. The 40 Acres complex which has been a cultural gathering place for two decades is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. For 20 years, this landmark has served as a place where families come to enjoy a meal and socialize and be immersed in culture and entertainment. 

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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.