St. HOPE: Home
Big Day of Giving
The BIG DAY is almost here!
Join us for Big Day of Giving 2026 and fuel the future of Oak Park with St. HOPE! Your donation directly supports:
- Putting TK-12 scholars on the path to college.
- Keeping Underground Books and The Guild Theater thriving.
- Driving local growth and neighborhood revitalization.
Every gift counts more today!
Let’s make a lasting impact together!
Let’s Read Oak Park featuring Janay Brown-Wood reading This Hair Belongs
Underground Books
Come hang out with Janay Brown-Wood in Oak Park as she reads her awesome book, This Hair Belongs!
Let’s Read Oak Park is a monthly youth literacy program designed to inspire a love of reading in children ages 5–12. On May 9, 2026, from 10:00–11:00 AM, we’re excited to welcome author Janay Brown-Wood for a special reading of This Hair Belongs to Me.
Author Talk with Walter Mosley
Underground Books
Click Here to Purchase Tickets
NAB2 & Underground Books Present: An Evening with Walter Mosley
Join us for a special live author talk with acclaimed writer Walter Mosley on Thursday, May 28 at The Guild Theater in Sacramento. This unique hybrid event will also be streamed to 30 Black-owned bookstores nationwide and available for virtual viewers at home.
Family Movie Matinee
Guild Theater
Family Movie Matinee: Angels in the Outfield
Sunday, June 7 | 2:00 PM
Join us for a fun afternoon at The Guild Theater for a special Family Movie Matinee featuring Angels in the Outfield. Bring the whole family and enjoy this uplifting Disney classic filled with heart, humor, and a little bit of heavenly magic.
Dusty Baker Author Talk
Underground Books
Overview
Join us for a fun in-person chat with Dusty Baker as he shares stories and insights from his baseball journey!
Dusty Baker Author Talk
2026 Juneteenth at 40 Acres
St. HOPE Academy
Celebrate the history and legacy of Juneteenth with us at the 2026 Juneteenth Block Party at 40 Acres.
Experience a day filled with music, culture, and community in the heart of Oak Park. Enjoy live DJs, local food trucks, a wine and beer garden, and a marketplace featuring Black-owned businesses. Families can also enjoy games and activities at Esther’s Park hosted by St. HOPE Public Schools.
This free, in-person event is all about connection, celebration, and community.
Family Movie Matinee
Guild Theater
Family Movie Matinee: Space Jam: A New Legacy
Sunday, July 5 | 2:00 PM
Join us for a fun afternoon at The Guild Theater for a special Family Movie Matinee featuring Space Jam: A New Legacy. Bring the whole family and enjoy this action-packed adventure filled with basketball, laughs, and your favorite Looney Tunes characters.
Family Movie Matinee
Guild Theater
Family Movie Matinee: Wish
Sunday, August 2 | 2:00 PM
Join us for a fun afternoon at The Guild Theater for a special Family Movie Matinee featuring Wish. Bring the whole family and enjoy this magical Disney adventure filled with heart, courage, and the power of believing in your dreams.
St. HOPE Academy Founded by Kevin Johnson
July 1989
St. HOPE began in 1989 as an afterschool program in a portable classroom at Sacramento High School
After 13 years, St. HOPE realized that an after school program simply wasn’t enough to dramatically improve the academic outcomes of children, that it would be necessary to establish and run our own schools.
In 2003, St. HOPE Public Schools was founded as a preK-12 independent charter school district that provides high-quality education to nearly 2,000 students.
St. HOPE Facility Grand Opening
January 1992
7,000 square foot facility opening at 4101 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
40 acres Art & Cultural Center Grand Opening
May 2003
St. HOPE’s largest economic development project opened with Underground Books, Uncle Jed’s Cut Hut, Starbucks and the Guild Theater.
40 Acres is the jewel of the SHDC efforts in the Oak Park community. The building was the historic Woodruff Hotel which was build in 1922 and was renovated by St. HOPE Development company in 2003.
The 23,000 sq. ft. mixed use facility includes:
- Guild Theater
- Underground Books
- Old Soul Coffee House
- Coopers Wine Bar
- Upper Room Apartments
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: Inoke Waqavesi – Class of 2018
Inoke Waqavesi, a 2018 Sac High graduate, translated the discipline he learned in high school into a promising career with the Sacramento Kings. During his four years at Sac High, Inoke was a leader on the field, playing football all four years and finishing his high school career on the varsity squad. But it wasn’t just the sports that shaped him; it was the school’s high expectations.
“Anything lower than a C was no credit,” Inoke recalls, noting that the “better than average” standard at Sac High applied to both the classroom and the football field.
Mark Your Calendar For Juneteenth at 40 Acres
Join us for a vibrant celebration of community, culture, and freedom at St. HOPE’s annual Juneteenth Block Party @ 40 Acres on Saturday, June 20 from 4-9pm at the 40 Acres Complex in Oak Park (35th Street and Broadway). This year’s Juneteenth Block Party brings together great energy, music, food, and family-friendly experiences in the heart of Oak Park.
The BIG DAY of GIVING is Almost Here!
We hope that you will support St. HOPE on the Big Day of Giving - early giving is open now through Thursday, May 7. Over the past 30 years, St. HOPE has played a major role in improving the quality of life in Oak Park by expanding educational opportunities, supporting families, and driving economic development. Our efforts have helped attract and create 20 businesses, generate nearly 300 jobs, and bring more than $43 million in economic and real estate development investments to the community.
Sac High Signing Day Celebrates 99% of Seniors Accepted to a 4 Year College
President's Message - May 5, 2026
Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. Not only is the weather great and we can enjoy time outdoors, but it’s when our high school seniors make decisions about their next steps. On May 6, Sac High is hosting Signing Day where seniors will share their college decision with the community.
Walter Mosley Returns to Underground Books
Author Talk Featuring Featuring Walter Mosley
Thursday, May 28 | 5:30 – 7:30 PM | Guild Theater
Join us for a special live author talk with acclaimed writer Walter Mosley returns to Underground Books with the release of his new novel “Ghalen: A Romance in Black”.
This unique hybrid event will be in-person at the Guild Theater and also be streamed to 30 Black-owned bookstores nationwide and available for virtual viewers at home.
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: Aray’aSunshine Hamilton – Class of 2023
Aray’aSunshine (Araya) Hamilton’s journey with St. HOPE Public Schools began early. She started at PS7 Middle School in 6th grade and graduated from Sac High in 2023.
During her time at Sac High, Araya was involved in both academics and student life. She played basketball as a freshman, volunteered with clubs and groups, assisted in the Dean’s office, and supported her peers as both a counselor and tutor. Her willingness to step up and help others quickly became a defining part of her high school experience.
Celebrating Mother Rose and the Power of Black Bookstores
President's Message - 04.06.26
Tomorrow – April 7 – we celebrate the birthday of our beloved Mother Rose, whose vision and resilience helped shape Underground Books into a cultural cornerstone. Please join us at Underground Books tomorrow for a mini banana pudding with any book purchase in honor of her birthday. It is fitting that tomorrow is also National Black Bookstore Day – a nationwide celebration.
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: Grace Contreras – Class of 2024
Sac High alumni Grace Contreras, Class of 2024, looks back on her time at Sac High with gratitude for the experiences that helped shape her path. During her four years at Sac High, Grace made the most of her opportunities. She played volleyball in her junior and senior years, joined the yearbook club, and challenged herself through the dual enrollment program, where she completed four college courses while still in high school.
Free College Tours for Sac High Scholars
This month, we’re hosting two college tour trips for Sac High seniors to help them explore their higher education options and make informed decisions about their futures. One trip is to the Bay Area to visit CSU East Bay, Sonoma State, San Francisco State, and San Jose State. The second trip explores Southern California, where scholars will tour UC Merced, Cal State Los Angeles, Cal State Fullerton, Fresno State, Cal State Northridge, and Long Beach State.
Comedy Night Feat. Jammin Jay Lamont
Comedy Night Feat. Jammin Jay Lamont
Saturday, March 21 | 6-7:30 PM | Guild Theater
Get ready for a night of nonstop laughter at The Guild Theater. Hosted by Sacramento favorite Dru Burks, the evening features Myles Murphy, Alvin Duke, and Ricco Da Great, all leading up to an electrifying headlining performance by Jammin’ Jay Lamont, known for appearances on Def Comedy Jam, Comic View, Showtime at the Apollo, and America’s Got Talent.
Doors open at 7:00 PM. Show begins at 8:00 PM.
This event is 21+ only.
Let’s Read Oak Park Featuring Kimberly Biddle reading “As You Are”
Let’s Read Oak Park Feat. Kimberly Biddle reading
“As You Are”
Saturday, March 14 | 10-11 AM | Underground Books
Join us for a special Let’s Read Oak Park as we welcome author Kimberly Biddle for a joyful and inspiring reading of her book As You Are.
Books, Leadership, and Legacy: Honoring Women This Month
President's Message - 03.10.26
This month we celebrate the powerful contributions of women past and present as we shine a light through storytelling and conversations about inspiring positive change. We are excited to partner with the Sacramento Literacy Foundation and have Underground Books serve as the book provider for their Authors on the Move event on Saturday, March 14 which features keynote speaker Hahrie Han and her recently released book Undivided.
Celebrating Black Excellence All Month Long
President's Message - 02.10.26
This year we celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Black History week celebration and the 50th Anniversary of Black History Month. The same intentionality of Dr. Carter Woodson in 1926 and the declaration of Black Month by President Jimmy Carter in 1976 should continue in our hearts and actions today.
Join us for Two Fabulous Literary Events
Pipeline - 01.15.26
Author Talk and Book Signing Featuring Char Adams
Sunday, January 18 | 1:00 PM | Guild Theater.
Please join us in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. weekend for an inspiring conversation with award-winning journalist and author Char Adams and former Mayor Kevin Johnson about race, activism, and civil rights and the important role Black bookstores have played in shaping culture, community and activism. Char is a former reporter for NBC News and for People and her writing on race and identity has appeared in The New York Times, The New Republic, Oprah Daily, Vice, Teen Vogue, Bustle, and elsewhere.
Her recent book, Black Owned, is about the history of black bookstores, activism and political movements, including abolition, the Civil Rights movement, Black Power and Black Lives Matter, community culture and modern relevance. Her book shows why bookstores remain vital in fostering community, joy, and shared learning.
Sac High Alumni Spotlight: Belen Isais Guzman – Class of 2024
Pipeline - 01.15.26
When Belen Isais Guzman moved to Sacramento three years ago, she was searching for a school that felt different from the large public schools she had always attended. She found that at Sac High.
Belen joined Sac High as a junior and quickly immersed herself in campus life. She served as a teacher assistant for the dance program, helping to organize and run performances. Her duties involved setting up and planning to make sure everything ran smoothly on stage. That early leadership role sparked a love for organization, preparation, and teamwork that continues to guide her today.
After graduating in 2024, Belen chose to stay local for college. She was accepted into several UC campuses but ultimately enrolled at Sacramento State, where she is now a full-time student. Belen started out originally as a biology major, but switched to construction management with a minor in business administration after discovering a passion for the field through her Sac High coursework. She also works part-time as a cashier at Target, balancing school, work, and her personal interests including daily workouts at the gym and preparing for a beauty pageant in Mexico.
Something is changing in the bookstore world — and Sacramento shops are ready for it
11.26.25
The 21st century has not been kind to independent booksellers — but Sacramento bookstores are surviving, leaning into their role as a community gatherer and cornerstone of local culture. There are hints, even, of a larger return to the physical book in a hyperonline age.
Star Power in the Community: Inspiring Moments With Jayne Kennedy and Ronald Isley
It was wonderful to see so many community members at our recent Speaker Series at Underground Books where Jayne Kennedy shared stories from her highly anticipated memoir, Plain Jayne. Jayne is a legendary actress, Emmy-winning broadcaster, and trailblazing icon and it was inspiring to hear her reflect on her groundbreaking rise—from small-town Ohio to becoming one of the first Black women to host national sports television. She shared her triumphs, struggles, and the legacy she built as a Black woman navigating fame, media, and identity on her own terms.
Join Us for Christmas at 40 Acres to Celebrate the Holiday Season!
Join Us for Christmas at 40 Acres to Celebrate the Holiday Season! Bring the family and celebrate the holidays at Christmas at 40 Acres on Saturday, December 13 from 11am – 2pm. Families are invited to enjoy a day filled with festive, fun, and creative activities and community connection. Children can take free photos with Santa, get their faces painted, and participate in hands-on holiday crafts designed to spark imagination and joy.
Shop Local and Support Underground Books
As the holiday season kicks off, there’s no better time to celebrate the power of shopping local and supporting Underground Books! When you choose to support neighborhood businesses, you’re doing more than checking items off your gift list – you’re investing directly in the people, culture, and character that make our community special. Every purchase keeps dollars circulating close to home, helps sustain local jobs, and strengthens the vibrancy of places we care about.
Increasing Access and Opportunities for St. HOPE Public Schools Scholars
We were thrilled to partner with St. HOPE Public Schools to help coordinate a weeklong trip for Sac High seniors to visit several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). On the trip scholars visited Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, Morris Brown College, Alabama State University, and Tuskegee University and had a great time at Tuskegee’s annual Homecoming celebration and football game. They also explored museums, enjoyed southern food, and walked across the Selma Bridge – a moving experience for so many students.