Underground Books: Home
“Operation Growth: an extraordinary journey of maturity, motherhood and black girl magic”
By Brandi R Richard
Operation Growth is designed to help women on the cusp of greatness, navigate to their personal next level. Through her authentic account of the struggles and triumphs of a single black woman, leader, and mom, Brandi has woven together a hero’s story of how to navigate to your personal next level. You don’t have to see it or know exactly what it is, because perfection is not necessary. Grit and tenacity absolutely are. Operation Growth is about determination and identification of your divine destiny.
“Adult Master Art Workshop”
With Milton 510 Bowens
Renowned Bay Area artist and educator, Milton 510 Bowens will present a series of
Adult Master Art Workshops beginning Saturday, September 8 from 5-7pm.
Attendees will create their own individual, message driven, mixed media original work of art.
More information to come!
“Never Let Nobody Steal Yo’ Thunder: Don’t Let the Bad People Keep You Down
By Kim Y. Nelson
After turning everyone she knows against her, Alice decides that it is time to make a positive change in her life. But despite all of her efforts to do the right thing and stay out of trouble, she seems to be a magnet for bad luck and bad people. Unfortunately in life, it only takes one bad person to bring you down to the point that you lose all of your “thunder” and passion for life. Sometimes, it only takes one bad person to make you lose your very will to live. Alice struggles to find the inner strength to overcome adversity and open herself up to the possibility of true love.
“The Future of Fathers: Will You Stay and Become a Father, or Will You Walk Out the Door…”
By Rick J. McPhearson
The future of fathers is a revitalizing, uplifting and real look at what many men will go through as they journey to fatherhood. It gives insight from one father’s perspective, and it gives resources and facts about where we are in society as fathers. It will challenge you, motivate you, and hopefully enlighten you. Use it as a tool, and let it serve as a guide to your future, the future of fathers where men are made to step up and take on the responsibilities set forth the very moment your child looked up, opened their tiny eyes and proclaimed you as Dad.
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 Memo: Five Rules for Your Economic Liberation
By John Hope Bryant
True power in this world comes from economic independence, but too many people have too much month left at the end of their money. John Hope Bryant, founder and CEO of Operation HOPE, illuminates the path toward liberation that is hiding in plain sight. His message is simple: the supermajority of people who live in poverty, whom Bryant calls the invisible class, as well as millions in the struggling middle class, haven’t gotten “the memo”—until now.
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.
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
By Vashti Harrison
This beautifully illustrated book introduces reader of all ages to 40 women who changed the world.
Real American: A Memoir
By Julie Lythcott-Haims
“Courageous, achingly honest.”
―Michelle Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
“A compelling, incisive and thoughtful examination of race, origin and what it means to be called an American. Engaging, heartfelt and beautifully written, Lythcott-Haims explores the American spectrum of identity with refreshing courage and compassion.”
―Bryan Stevenson, New York Times bestselling author of Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart, How We Come Together
By Van Jones
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A passionate manifesto that exposes hypocrisy on both sides of the political divide and points a way out of the tribalism that is tearing America apart—by the CNN political contributor and host hailed as “a star of the 2016 campaign” (The New York Times) who coined the term “whitelash”
Hacks
By Donna Brazile
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
“Explosive… A blistering tell-all.”—Washington Post
“People should sit up, take notes and change things.”—Ace Smith, Los Angeles Times
“Brazile most certainly has a story to tell…. Vivid.”—The Guardian
From Donna Brazile, former DNC chair and legendary political operative, an explosive and revealing new look at the 2016 election: the first insider account of the Russian hacking of the DNC and the missteps by the Clinton campaign and Obama administration that enabled a Trump victory.
The Nutcracker in Harlem
By T.E. McMorrow and James Ransome
This jazz-inspired reinvention of The Nutcracker is a worthy tribute to the dreamlike wonder and magic of the Christmas season.
In this original retelling, set in New York City during the height of the Harlem Renaissance, one little girl finds her voice as a musician thanks to her enchanting adventures with a magical toy.
100 Amazing Facts About the Negro with Complete Proof: A Short Cut to The World History of The Negro
By J. A. Rogers
First published in 1934 and revised in 1962, this book gathers journalist and historian Joel Augustus Rogers’ columns from the syndicated newspaper feature titled Your History. Patterned after the look of Ripley’s popular Believe It or Not the multiple vignettes in each episode recount short items from Rogers’s research. The feature began in the Pittsburgh Courier in November 1934 and ran through the 1960s.
We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy
By Ta-Nehisi Coates
In these “urgently relevant essays,”* the National Book Award–winning author of Between the World and Me “reflects on race, Barack Obama’s presidency and its jarring aftermath”*—including the election of Donald Trump.
The Mother of Black Hollywood
By Jenifer Lewis
From her more than three hundred appearances for film and television, stage and cabaret, performing comedy or drama, as an unforgettable lead or a scene stealing supporting character, Jenifer Lewis has established herself as one of the most respected, admired, talented, and versatile entertainers working today.
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
By Neil De Grasse Tyson
But the story of these present-day eight years is not just about presidential politics. This book also examines the new voices, ideas, and movements for justice that emerged over this period—and the effects of the persistent, haunting shadow of our nation’s old and
The #1 New York Times Bestseller: The essential universe, from our most celebrated and beloved astrophysicist.
The Obama’s: The White House Years
By Essence Magazine
On November 4, 2008, Senator Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United States. Over the next eight years, he and his family would transform our nation, change the face of the White House, and transfix millions of supporters.
We’re Going to Need More Wine
By Gabrielle Union
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
“A book of essays as raw and honest as anyone has ever produced.” — Lena Dunham, Lenny Letter
In the spirit of Amy Poehler’s Yes Please, Lena Dunham’s Not That Kind of Girl, and Roxane Gay’s Bad Feminist, a powerful collection of essays about gender, sexuality, race, beauty, Hollywood, and what it means to be a modern woman.
Higher is Waiting
By Tyler Perry
An intimate book of inspiration by the one and only Tyler Perry—actor, producer, director, philanthropist, and the creator of Madea
Higher Is Waiting is a spiritual guidebook, a collection of teachings culled from the experiences of a lifetime, meant to inspire readers to climb higher in their own lives and pull themselves up to a better, more fulfilling place. In this intimate book, Tyler Perry writes of how his faith has sustained him in hard times, centered him in good times, and enriched his life.
Face 2 Face
By Lula Brown
Many of us are hurting and struggling through life’s storms. It can sometimes feel as though we are experiencing the wilderness alone. Circumstances arise suddenly and unexpectedly in life that can bring us to our knees. It is there where we have a deep desire to pray and seek God in prayer, but it’s hard to find the words and how to say them escapes us. Even if we are familiar with how to pray, devastating trials can take away thought patterns and leave us longing for the right words to say to our Lord.
Defining Moments in Black History / Reading Between The Lies
By Dick Gregory
With his trademark acerbic wit, incisive humor, and infectious paranoia, one of our foremost comedians and most politically engaged civil rights activists looks back at 100 key events from the complicated history of black America.
Sing, Unburied, Sing
By Jesmyn Ward
“The heart of Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing is story—the yearning for a narrative to help us understand ourselves, the pain of the gaps we’ll never fill, the truths that are failed by words and must be translated through ritual and song…Ward’s writing throbs with life, grief, and love, and this book is the kind that makes you ache to return to it.” —Buzzfeed
The Origin of Others
By Toni Morrison and Ta-Nehisi Coates
America’s foremost novelist reflects on the themes that preoccupy her work and increasingly dominate national and world politics: race, fear, borders, the mass movement of peoples, the desire for belonging. What is race and why does it matter? What motivates the human tendency to construct Others? Why does the presence of Others make us so afraid?
Still Accepting Applications!
St. HOPE Public Schools is still accepting applications for the 2018-2019 school year! School starts August 8th! Enroll your scholar today!
St. HOPE Announces MLB All-Star Barry Bonds as 2018 Dinner Speaker
St. HOPE is excited to announce MLB All-Star Barry Bonds as the special guest speaker for the 2018 St. HOPE Dinner to be held on Sunday, September 23 at the Hyatt Regency downtown. The St. HOPE Dinner attracts a sellout crowd of 1,000 guests and has included speakers such as Michael Jordan, LeBron James, John Wooden, Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Webber and many more!
St. HOPE Promotes!
One of our favorite moments at St. HOPE is celebrating our scholars during school promotion time. The end of a school year is always a time full of heartfelt reflection and excitement for what’s to come. As we gather to celebrate the achievements of our amazing scholars and reflect back on their unique journeys, we are reminded of their triumphs and trials, hardships and successes and are overflowing with joy as we set our eyes to the future!
5th Annual Sacramento Black Book Fair
The 5th Annual Black Book Fair took place Friday, June 1st and Saturday, June 2nd. The Black Book Fair is held once a year to bring African American literature and authors to the community. This year’s featured authors came from Sacramento as well as different cities in California. There were also several national other authors who showed up from all across the country, including Florida! It’s no surprise to say this year’s fair was a success.
2017 St. HOPE Annual Report
2017 was a fabulous year for St. HOPE, and you can check out a few of the details in our newly released annual report found here. While we are proud of our work in 2017, we can’t help but look forward to showing off our 2018 accomplishments. We have already seen tremendous growth this year in scholar achievement, and 95% of Sac High seniors were accepted to a four-year college.
Byron Pitts comes to Oak Park
The Oak Park Speaker Series hosted the second of a four-part series on June 11th at the Guild Theater with special guest speaker Byron Pitts. Nearly 150 guests attended the event, emceed by former Mayor Kevin Johnson and included remarks by Greater Sacramento Urban League President and CEO Cassandra Jennings. The evening concluded with a fireside chat with Mayor Johnson and award-winning journalist and author Byron Pitts. Pitts was raised by a single mother and struggled with severe learning disabilities.
40 Acres Celebrates 15 Years by Completing the Vision
May 2018 marked the 15 Year Anniversary of St. HOPE’s 40 Acres Cultural Center in Oak Park and was celebrated in many ways, including a major announcement!
Once a neglected and boarded-up building frequented by drugs and prostitution in the 1990’s, 40 Acres has blossomed into a thriving mecca of businesses, patrons and community events throughout the course of the past 15 years. The transformation is due in large part to the efforts of many individuals who believed Oak Park would once again become a destination and gathering place for people both near and far.
Mobile Teaching Kitchen
In the first week of May, more than 200 St. HOPE students and staff took a break from the classroom and participated in Chartwell’s Mobile Teaching Kitchen program. Chartwell’s has been contracted to serve school meals at St. HOPE for the last several years. The Mobile Teaching Classroom was very impressive and is a custom-designed shipping container modified into an 80-square-foot, fully functioning kitchen complete with three-sided belly height kitchen countertop and five individual induction plates.
St. HOPE Scholars Are Oak Park Smart!
Know some amazing students? So do we! This past month, three students, one each from PS7, Oak Park Prep and Sac High, were recognized at the second annual Celebrate Oak Park festival as Oak Park Smart’s top students. Celebrate Oak Park is an annual celebration of learning and student achievement for the schools serving Oak Park and is put on by Jay Schenirer’s WayUp initiative.
Best of Sac High, 2018
Underground Books and Old Soul were pleased to present the 15th annual “Best of Sac High Student Art Exhibit.” The exhibit showcases the school year’s best work by students attending Sac High. The exhibit is a board cross-spectrum of talented youth – freshmen to seniors, as well as a diverse representation from the three art pathways on Sac High’s campus.
Pi Day Fun!
PS7 Middle scholars had the opportunity to participate in our annual Pi Day carnival in March. Pi Day is an annual celebration of the mathematical constant pi (π), celebrated on March 14th (3.14)! The event was led by our 8th grade scholars as they managed a variety of stations for our sixth and seventh grade scholars to participate in, such as field games, math worksheets, a Pi chain, and of course, enjoying a slice of pie!! Our sixth and seventh graders had a fantastic time participating as they were able to show off their math knowledge and teamwork skills!
Sac High Class of 2021 Visits Google!
Last month, the entire Sac High Class of 2021 (9th grade) was invited to spend a day at Google headquarters in Mountain View! The Dragons spent the whole day touring the #googleplex with a “Googler”, eating a meal from the Google Kitchen, and hearing from a panel of “Googlers” with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This trip was important for our students in that it opened up their minds to the endless possibilities available to them when they pursue and obtain their college degree.
Shout Hooray for St. HOPE’s Big Day!
Earlier this month, St. HOPE participated in the Big Day of Giving, one of the region’s biggest online giving campaigns created to support Sacramento’s nonprofit community by raising essential funding and allowing for nonprofits to continue in their efforts to make Sacramento a better place!
As hopeful as our staff and students were, we would have never expected what was to come on that big day! Securing over $60,000 in donations and matching donations of a $50,000 goal was more than we could have ever anticipated! EVER!
‘Chicken and waffles – and ’stupid’ fries – are coming to this trendy corridor’
Article Courtesy of The Sacramento Bee
BY BOB SHALLIT
May 23, 2018 12:01 AM
Updated May 23, 2018 01:13 PM
A popular Phoenix-based soul food restaurant is going into Oak Park’s 40 Acres retail complex next summer, bringing another destination dining spot to the once-blighted, now-burgeoning neighborhood.
Sac High Staff gets “Lunch on Us!”
Sac High Staff was awarded “Lunch on Us” from Schools Financial Credit Union in March as a way to acknowledge their hard work and influence on campus.
Speaker Series Returns to Oak Park
In partnership with Underground Books and the Greater Sacramento Urban League, the inaugural Oak Park Speaker Series is proud to announce an exciting lineup of speakers including Roland Martin, Byron Pitts, Terry McMillan and Carla Harris. Individual tickets and sponsorships are now available for the 4-part series that will launch on May 9 at the Guild Theater.
Big Day of Giving to Help Transform the Sac High Library!
May 3rd marks the Big Day of Giving and for St. HOPE a day of HOPE and anticipation!
Student Section: Reflecting on Gun Violence
Last month Sac High participated in the “National School Walkout” during which students across the country walked out of school to honor the 17 victims shot and killed at Stoneman Douglas High School in February. The walkout was initiated as a call to the U.S. government to pass stricter gun control laws. Here’s what one student had to say about it:
Sac High Tackles the Regional Science Bowl!
Sac High freshman biology students tackled the Regional Science Bowl hosted at Cordova High School on February 24th. After months of anticipating acceptance as an eligible team, the group of young men began to prepare intensely, studying every day during lunch and after school for the competition. They eagerly counted the days until the competition, discussing the new topics they had learned since they began practicing two months prior. The Dragon competitors studied concepts from basic biology to college level physics to ensure they were prepared to compete in the program.
Oral History Night
Oral History Night is Oak Park Preparatory Academy’s annual celebration of Black History Month. The night consists of students sharing inspiring stories about challenges they have faced in their lives, and how they plan to use those experiences to motivate them to achieve future success. There is also a portion of the night when students and families compete in the “Who Am I” challenge in which they are given various bios of famous African Americans and must guess who they are.