St. HOPE: Home
Let’s Read Oak Park Featuring Angel Boone
Underground Books
Lets read Oak Park
Join us at Underground Books on April 11, 2026, as we welcome author Angel Boone to share her delightful and encouraging story Pre School Independence.
Angel’s book gently guides young children through the big emotions and brave moments that come with taking their first steps toward independence. Her storytelling is warm, relatable, and perfect for families preparing little ones for preschool or early learning adventures.
Family Movie Matinee
Guild Theater
Family Movie Matinee: Descendants: The Rise of Red
Sunday, April 12 | 2:00 PM
Join us for a fun afternoon at The Guild Theater for a special Family Movie Matinee featuring Descendants: The Rise of Red. Bring the whole family and enjoy this exciting Disney adventure filled with music, magic, and unexpected friendships.
Underground Books Author Talk with Tony Browder
Underground Books
Underground Books Author Talk with Tony Browder: The Browder Perspective
Join Underground Books for an evening of history, insight, and conversation with acclaimed author and cultural historian Tony Browder. Browder will share reflections from his book A Browder Perspective while exploring African and African American history, identity, and cultural legacy.
Saturday, April 18 | 6 PM – 8 PM
Underground Books
2828 35th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817
Talking About Autism in The Black Community
Underground Books & ART-TISM presentation
You’re Invited: A Community Conversation on Autism in the Black Community
Presented by Underground Books April 22 • 6:00–8:00 PM
Underground Books & Art-Tism invites you to a powerful and necessary conversation about Autism in the Black community. Our goal is to bring people together and create a safe, supportive space for learning, sharing, and understanding.
Author Talk with Adrian Miller
Underground Books
Join award-winning author and culinary historian Adrian Miller for an evening exploring African American culinary history and culture.
During this event, Miller will share insights on the origins and evolution of soul food, the cultural significance behind it, and the stories of African Americans who have shaped American cuisine—from home kitchens to the White House.
Family Movie Matinee
Guild Theater
Family Movie Matinee: Lilo & Stitch
Sunday, May 3 | 2:00 PM
Join us for a fun afternoon at The Guild Theater for a special Family Movie Matinee featuring Lilo & Stitch. Bring the whole family and enjoy this heartwarming Disney favorite filled with adventure, laughter, and the true meaning of family.
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.
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.
Clone of 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
Talking About Autism in The Black Community
Talking About Autism in The Black Community
Wednesday, April 22| 6 – 7:30 PM | Underground Books
Underground Books & Art-Tism invites you to a powerful and necessary conversation about Autism in the Black community. Our goal is to bring people together and create a safe, supportive space for learning, sharing, and understanding.
Walter Mosley Coming Soon!
Join us for an unforgettable night on Thursday, May 28 as Walter shares about his new book Ghalen: A Romance in Black, a beautiful coming-of-age novel that explores love in all forms – romantic, familial, and platonic, centered on one Black family, including a neurodivergent man, and the found bonds that helps ground them. Walter is the author of more than sixty critically acclaimed books and you won’t want to miss the opportunity to hear from him!
Tickets released on April 28!
Author Talk Featuring Adrian Miller
Author Talk Featuring Adrian Miller
Monday, April 20 | 6 – 8 PM | Underground Books
Purchase tickets here
Author Talk Featuring Tony Browder: The Browder Perspective
We hope you will join us for an evening of history, insight, and conversation with acclaimed author and cultural historian Tony Browder who is coming to Underground Books on Saturday, April 18 from 6-8pm. Tony has dedicated his life to researching and sharing the untold stories of African and African American history. During this engaging conversation, he will share insights from his work and discuss themes explored in his book A Browder Perspective, offering powerful reflections on history, identity, and cultural legacy.
Let’s Read Oak Park Featuring Angel Boone
Let’s Read Oak Park Featuring Angel Boone
Saturday, April 11| 10-11 AM | Underground Books
Join us at Underground Books as we welcome author Angel Boone to share her delightful and encouraging story Pre School Independence. Angel’s book gently guides young children through the big emotions and brave moments that come with taking their first steps toward independence. Her storytelling is warm, relatable, and perfect for families preparing little ones for preschool or early learning adventures.
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.