Underground Books: Home

Article The Sacramento Bee - 6.18.2024BY ACSAH LEMMA

Sacramento’s Juneteenth events feature The 1619 Project creator at Oak Park’s Guild Theater

With Juneteenth this week Sacramento has parties, marches and more in celebration.

This Wednesday, the California Black Agricultural Working Group will host a celebration at the Capitol State Park as well as a resource fair. People are invited to “experience our unique California Journey from Slavery to Freedom here in the Great State of California,” according to the organization’s flyer.

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.

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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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.

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.

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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.

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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.